What are wildlife killing contests?

Wildlife killing contests generally involve a day- or weekend-long contest promoting the indiscriminate killing of coyotes, foxes and raccoons, with prizes awarded to the individuals who kill the most or largest individuals. Wildlife killing contests promote cruelty and disrespect towards wildlife, deplete lands of predators that are critical for natural processes, such as rodent control/disease prevention, and serve no conservation or management purpose.

Every year, Illinois is home to these unethical and senseless contests. Many folks are not aware that these contests exist and are pervasive in The Prairie State. Wildlife killing contests take advantage of the loose rules and lack of limits on killing certain predators like coyotes, foxes and raccoons. Project Coyote and Humane Society of the United States have identified at least 20 events in as many counties, often held yearly, with some contests encouraging participation in all IL counties. Given their secret nature, it is likely that many other killing contests are frequently taking place. In addition to wanton waste of the animals killed, some contests directly encourage youth participation, promoting harmful views from a young age.

For the past two years, we have been heavily engaged in outreach in support of HB2900, including hosting virtual and in-person presentations and screenings throughout the state, and educating legislators. This past spring, we launched billboards along the Interstate 55 corridor (in Logan and Montgomery Counties) to amplify our efforts in raising awareness of wildlife killing contests occurring statewide.

Those efforts alongside our coalition partners have gotten us closer to our goal than ever before. On May 15, the Illinois House passed HB2900 by a 62-45 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate in the fall, during the lame duck session, where it is sponsored by state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-District 6) and Sen. Julie A Morrison (D-District 29).

Help Us End Wildlife Killing Contests in Illinois!

We’re closer than ever before to our goal of banning wildlife killing contests (WKCs) in Illinois! On May 15, the Illinois House passed HB2900 by a 62-45 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate in the fall, during the lame duck session. The bill has yet to be assigned to a Senate committee, but we are already engaging with Senators to secure their support, and will continue to do so through the summer and fall. We are so close to banning these egregious contests, and we need your Senators to hear from you. Use these talking points to personalize your comment and amplify your impact.

If you would rather call your senator, which could be more impactful, please see  ‘Other Ways to Take Action‘ below for information on looking up your senator and a suggested script.

Other Ways to Take Action: 

• Call your Senator to double your impact.

  • Look up your senator using this link. Enter your address into the search function and select “State Senator.” Click “website” to find your Senator’s phone number.
    
  • Use this script when speaking to your senator’s office: “Hello, my name is _______. I am an Illinois State resident, and I am calling to urge Senator [Insert Senator’s name] to support HB2900 to ban wildlife killing contests statewide. These contests disregard ecological health and sound management and serve no legitimate wildlife management purpose. Please support HB2900 and protect our state’s wildlife from unethical and unnecessary killing.”
    
  • Feel free to personalize with these talking points, but keep your comment short, concise and polite. 
• Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) and submit it to your local newspaper. Inform your fellow Illinoisans and encourage them to support the bill to ban wildlife killing contests. Use these talking points and see tips on how to write LTEs here.
• Host a screening of Project Coyote’s Killing Games: Wildlife In The Crosshairs and Comfort Theory’s Wildlife Killing Contests, two award-winning films, and invite lawmakers and activists to attend.
  • Contact us for assistance with hosting a screening.