Another Chance to Help Ban Coyote Killing Contests in Oregon!
Legislation to end cruel coyote killing contests is advancing in the Oregon State Legislature as HB 2728. This bill would protect countless coyotes from being killed for prizes or monetary awards.
Coyote killing contests are cruel and unsporting. Participants glorify the numbers of animals killed—which can be in the hundreds for a single event—and show no respect for wild animals and their habitat.
Thanks to those who supported this bill in February. HB 2728 will be heard in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee work session on Thursday, March 18 and we need all Oregon residents to again speak up to move this bill closer to the finish line!
Ask the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee to support HB 2728 NOW!
Before March 18th:
- Please call every member of the House Agriculture and Natural resources Committee and follow up with an email using the talking points below. Their contact info is:
Rep. Brad Witt, D – District 31, 503-986-1431, Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Vikki Breese Iverson, R – District 55, 503-986-1455, rep.vikkibreeseiverson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Zach Hudson, D – District 49, (503) 986-1449, Rep.ZachHudson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Jami Cate, R – District 17, 503-986-1417, Rep.JamiCate@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Pam Marsh, D – District 5, 503-986-1405, Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Susan McLain, D – District 29, 503-986-1429, rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Bill Post, R – District 25, 503-986-1425, rep.billpost@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Jeff Reardon, D – District 48, 503-986-1448, Rep.JeffReardon@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. David Brock Smith, R – District 1, 503-986-1401, Rep.DavidBrockSmith@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Anna Williams, D – District 52, 503-986-1452, Rep.AnnaWilliams@oregonlegislature.gov
- Share this alert with your fellow Oregonians!
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Talking Points:
This legislation (HB 2728) will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering coyotes.
- Hunter and former Chairman of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Mike Finley has condemned wildlife killing contests (read his Op Ed here).
- Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting.
- Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics (read Op Ed in The Spokesman-Review by former President of the California Fish and Game Commission Michael Sutton and outdoor recreation industry leader John Land Le Coq here).
- Seven states (AZ, CA, CO, MA, NM, VT, WA) have enacted bans against wildlife killing contests.
- There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes effectively reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock.
- Coyotes play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems by controlling rabbits and rodents, cleaning up animal carcasses, and increasing biodiversity.
- This bill is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other laws related to hunting or fishing.
- Oregon’s wildlife is managed in trust for all Oregonians and recent polling shows the majority of Oregon voters support this bill.
Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Oregon’s coyotes!
Camilla Fox
Founder & Executive Director
Michelle Lute, PhD
National Carnivore Conservation Manager