We need your help TODAY to pass a bill that would prohibit wildlife killing contests in the state. During these barbaric events, participants compete to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of wildlife for entertainment and prizes. Hundreds of bobcats, coyotes, crows, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, and woodchucks are slaughtered during these events every year in New York. The contests—such as the Sqwirl Skramble in Palenville, One Wiley Weekend in Addison, and the Fox Bowl in Arcade—occur throughout the state. See a map of killing contest events in New York here.
A.722A and S.4253A would make it unlawful to organize, sponsor, conduct, promote, or participate in any contest with the objective of taking or hunting wildlife for prizes or other inducements, or for entertainment. This legislation would relegate these ethically and ecologically indefensible events to the history books, just like dogfighting and cockfighting.
Contact your Assembly Member and State Senator ~ Speak up for the voiceless animals who need your help.
Find your lawmakers:
Please visit the links below to find contact information for your assemblymember and state senator. Note that you may need to visit the legislator’s webpage for full contact information.
- Find your assemblymember here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
- Find your state senator here: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
First, please make a brief, polite phone call to both your assemblymember and your state senator. You can simply say, “as your constituent, I urge you to vote YES on A.722A / S.4253A to prohibit cruel and senseless wildlife killing contests in New York.” Be sure to let them know the town and county you live in and any special affiliations or roles you serve in your community.
Follow-up with a written message. Additional talking points are below.
Talking Points:
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering our wild animals.
- Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting. Killing wild animals for thrills and prizes (such as cash or AR-15s)—with no respect for their intrinsic or ecological value—is senseless violence and waste.
- Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure the target animals in for an easy kill.
- More than 70 prominent conservation scientists have signed a statement condemning wildlife killing contests on ecological and ethical grounds.
- New Mexico and Vermont banned coyote killing contests in 2019 and 2018, respectively. In 2014, California banned the awarding of prizes for killing nongame and furbearing species. Local governments in Arizona, New Mexico and Wisconsin have passed resolutions condemning wildlife killing contests.
- There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes—the most frequent victims of killing contests—reduces their numbers, increases populations of game animals like deer, or protects livestock. 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.
- All wildlife species play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. Coyotes, for example, reduce rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
- This bill does not prohibit fishing contests and is not a ban on hunting. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt wildlife according to state laws. The legislation does not affect laws related to the taking of predatory animals or the lethal control of specific, problem-causing wildlife.
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 New York’s wildlife!
For Coexistence,
Katie Stennes
Programs & Communications Manager