Massachusetts residents, we need your help to urge the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) to pass a regulation prohibiting coyote killing contests in the state. During these barbaric events, participants compete to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of coyotes for entertainment and prizes. Coyotes are killed in these contests every year in Granby and Hyannis.
MassWildlife is holding a public listening session about coyote killing contests this Thursday, April 4th, in West Barnstable. The session will include a short presentation by MassWildlife staff followed by an opportunity for attendees to comment and ask questions—more information here. We encourage you to attend this meeting and, whether or not you can attend, to also contact MassWildlife asking them to ban coyote killing contests in Massachusetts.
Please attend MassWildlife’s public listening session about coyote killing contests on Thursday
Your presence speaks volumes—please attend the listening session to show your support for a ban on coyote killing contests. You will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions—we encourage you to speak up for coyotes. It’s important to be polite and keep your comments brief. Please focus on the cruel and ecologically destructive nature of coyote killing contests.
What: MassWildlife Public Listening Session on Coyote Killing Contests
Where: Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, in Lecture Hall A in the Science Building (Building 6)
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET
Campus Map: https://www.capecod.edu/web/about-us/campus-map
Write to MassWildlife
Please write a concise, polite letter to the Massachussetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board by Friday, April 12, asking them to pass a regulation banning coyote killing contests statewide. We’ve provided additional talking points below. Be sure to let them know you’re a resident of the state.
Comments may be sent/emailed (please send to both) to:
Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board
c/o Susan Sacco
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
Susan.Sacco@mass.gov
And:
Commissioner Ronald Amidon
MA Dept of Fish and Game
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
Ronald.Amidon@mass.gov
Talking Points
Banning coyote killing contests will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering Massachusetts’ wildlife.
- Coyote killing contests are ethically and ecologically indefensible. They are a bloodsport just like dogfighting and cockfighting, which have been outlawed in every state.
- Killing contests are contrary to sound wildlife management. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure which can increase their populations and increase conflicts with coyotes. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods is more effective.
- Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. The events put non-target species, including pets, at risk. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure coyotes in for an easy kill.
- Participants perpetuate myths to justify the killing. There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock.
- Coyotes play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. They reduce rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
- We are not seeking a ban on coyote hunting – we simply ask for a prohibition on coyote killing contests.
Learn more about wildlife killing contests here, the scientific reasons behind why killing coyotes doesn’t solve problems here and here, and the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests here.
Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Massachusetts’ coyotes!
For Wild Nature,
Camilla Fox
Founder & Executive Director