For Immediate Release: April 1, 2021
Billboards Opposing Wildlife Killing Contests Spreading Across Wisconsin
Madison, WI — Starting this week, drivers across Wisconsin will see large and colorful billboards daylighting wildlife killing contests that occur in the state. Three billboards, funded by Project Coyote and concerned Wisconsin citizens, bring attention to the widespread but little known bloodsport where participants compete to kill the most, largest or smallest animals for cash, guns or other prizes.
Concerned citizens are organizing against these contests and buying billboards to raise awareness of the issue, despite advocates receiving personal threats (thus only advocate initials are used in this release). “I grew up watching trucks piled with coyote carcasses drive by my rural home in Wisconsin,” said JD who helped fund two billboards in Rock County. “I bought a billboard to bring awareness of these heinous, violent acts against wildlife.”
Seven states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington) have prohibitions on killing contests. In 2018, Dane County passed a resolution condemning killing contests and calling on the Wisconsin legislature to enact a statutory ban. Forty-three contests have been identified in the state and target native wildlife such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats. However, more contests may exist. It is difficult to assess how many contests occur in Wisconsin because organizers and participants are aware that the public does not condone or support these events and operate mostly in secret with virtual check-ins and little oversight.
In addition to the billboards in Rock County, another billboard was erected in Eau Claire County. Wisconsonites’ growing awareness about killing contests recognize that coyotes and other native carnivores play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, such as controlling rabbit and rodent populations, and that wildlife killing contests threaten the safety and well-being of hikers, dog walkers, bird watchers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
“These contests are cruelty in the simplest of terms,” said LL, who sponsored the billboard in Eau Claire County. “They do not represent the majority of Wisconsinites or ethical hunters that value Wisconsin’s natural legacy. These are joy kills where the sole purpose is to have the highest death toll, all in pursuit of a shiny belt buckle or some cash.”
“From documentary films to billboards, we are raising public awareness about this barbaric practice, which will inspire viewers to take action and join the growing movement to ban wildlife killings contests nationwide,” said Camilla Fox, Executive Director and Founder of Project Coyote and Cofounder of the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests. “Most people have no idea this cruel and unnecessary bloodsport is happening in their state and they are shocked to learn that it is legal to slaughter animals en masse for cash prizes and awards. Once they learn about it, they want to know how they can get involved to help end this cruelty. That’s why we steer them to ProjectCoyote.org to learn how they can get involved in this growing movement to end killing contests.”
Coyote killing contest organizers often justify the slaughter with claims that, by reducing the coyote population, they are helping to reduce conflicts with coyotes. “Wildlife killing contests serve no genuine ecological or wildlife management purpose,” said Michelle L. Lute, PhD in wildlife management and Project Coyote National Carnivore Coexistence Manager. “These contests are mass slaughter events that may actually increase what are typically rare occurrences of conflict and undermine the valuable ecological roles of carnivores.”
Viewers of the billboards will be pointed to ProjectCoyote.org where they can view a new film about wildlife killing contests produced in partnership with National Geographic filmmakers and sign a petition to ban wildlife killing contests on federal public lands.
Project Coyote and its 50+ national wildlife and animal protection organization partners that have joined forces as the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests—will continue to raise awareness in pursuit of policy changes at local, state and national levels in 2021 and beyond.
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Project Coyote, a national non-profit organization, is a North American coalition of scientists, educators, ranchers, and citizen leaders promoting compassionate conservation and coexistence between people and wildlife through education, science and advocacy. Visit ProjectCoyote.org for more information.