Help Ban Wildlife Killing Contests in Nevada!

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners (NBWC) will soon hold a workshop to discuss the language in Commission General Regulation 503, which would ban wildlife killing contests in the state of Nevada.

Urge the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners to Support a Ban on Wildlife Killing Contests TODAY!

Here are four ways you can support a ban on wildlife killing contests:

1. Attend the meeting online on Friday, November 5, 2021 and give oral comment by joining the zoom meeting. The meeting starts at 8 a.m. PT but our topic is agenda item #11 and will be discussed in the afternoon.

• • • The commission will likely accept public testimony and may vote on the issue (though a vote is unlikely until later).
    • Prepare your oral testimony ahead of time by personalizing the Talking Points below. Keep your comments respectful, polite, and brief (1 minute or less). Simply stating that you are a Nevadan that supports the proposed regulation language is perfect.

2. Submit written testimony to the emails listed below. Craft your email in your own words using the Talking Points below. Please be sure to submit your written comments before the meeting on Friday, November 5, 2021.

• • • wildlifecommission@ndow.org
    • Tiffany East (Chair), tiffany@tiffanyeastpr.com
    • Tommy Caviglia (Vice Chair), tccaviglia1980@gmail.com
    • Tom Barnes, barnestk5@outlook.com
    • Jon Almberg, almbergnv@gmail.com
    • Shane Rogers, shanerogers9@yahoo.com
    • Alana Wise, awise.nv@gmail.com
    • Casey D. Kiel, ckiel@coeur.com
    • David McNinch, davidmcninch@att.net
    • Ron Pierini, pieriniron@gmail.com

3. Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) of your local newspaper. The Las Vegas Sun is also a good outlet to which to submit:

• • • Encourage fellow Nevadans residents to support a ban on wildlife killing contests.
    • Use the talking points below, and see tips on LTEs here.

4. Share this action alert or this article with other NV residents and encourage them to take action on behalf of Nevada’s wildlife.

Talking Points (please personalize):

• • • State your NV location and that you support the regulation language. Thanking the commissioners for their work and consideration of this regulation could also be helpful.
    • Hunters in Nevada are voicing support for this ban. Wildlife killing contests ignore hunting ethics and Nevada’s outdoor legacy. Many hunters and hunting groups across the state support Commission General Regulation 503 and language that bans wildlife killing contests in Nevada.
    • This regulatory prohibition is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other laws. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt coyotes and other wildlife according to state laws. Following the example set by neighboring states, the language of a potential ban can make clear that it will not prohibit fishing tournaments or “Big Buck” hunts.
    • Nevada should join neighboring states (Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico) in enacting commonsense prohibitions. Contest participants from other states are now coming to Nevada and killing wildlife that should be managed, enjoyed and appreciated alive by Nevadans as part of their natural heritage.
    • Eight states have already prohibited wildlife killing contests.  As awareness spreads, Americans are increasingly demanding an end to these killing contests. Nevada should join these states to lead the way and set an example for ethical, science-based wildlife management.
    • The majority of Nevadans believe people should coexist in harmony with wildlife. According to a recent study by Dietsch and colleagues (including Project Coyote Science Advisory Board member Dr. Jeremy Bruskotter), more than 85% of Nevadans believe coyotes should be managed with non-lethal coexistence practices. 
    • There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, 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 between coyotes, humans, and domestic animals. Preventing conflicts by utilizing humane, non-lethal solutions is more effective.
    • Wildlife targeted by contests play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. For example, coyotes reduce rabbit and rodent populations, scavenge animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.

Thank you for acting TODAY to protect Nevada’s unprotected wildlife!

For Wild Nature,

PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT WITH OTHER NEVADA RESIDENTS!