Oregonians of all stripes, including Republicans and Democrats, hunters and non-hunters alike, hold our wildlife in high regard. Our state’s proud hunting tradition is influenced by humane values that are uniquely Oregonian, and are reflected in our public policy choices.
In mid-December, a hunting contest was held in central Arizona for the 11th year in a row. The team that killed the most coyotes won. The event’s name emphasized the goal: It was called the “Santa Slay Coyote Tournament.”
Predator killing contests were in the crosshairs of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Friday at its meeting in Bisbee. Commission members unanimously voted to move forward with a ban on such events. In Arizona, predators are defined as foxes, skunks, coyotes and bobcats.
There is a movement happening as more people are becoming aware of wildlife killing contests and understanding they are a blood sport that takes place across the country just about every weekend of the year. Tuesday night, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to oppose predator killing contests in a 3 to 1 vote and an advocacy group is asking citizens to help them ban the killing contests statewide.
It’s a small speck of brown moving across a seemingly endless valley of snow. The valley is so silent and so frigid, it feels as if the slightest sound could crack the sky.
Franz Camenzind is unbothered by the cold. He lines up his spotting scope atop a tripod and moves it slowly, left to right. He stops, focuses. A smile creeps beneath his beard.
Michigan wildlife officials say it’s the time of year when coyote sightings will be common around the state. The Department of Natural Resources says coyotes are particularly visible during their breeding season, which runs from January through March. Sightings also can be expected from April to August, when they’re caring for pups.