We need your help TODAY to speak out in favor of SB 253- a bipartisan bill to ban coyote killing contests in New Mexico, co-sponsored by Senator Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque) and Representative Jeff Steinborn (D-Albuquerque). This bill will be heard in the Senate Conservation Committee this coming Tuesday (2.3.15) so please take action today and let your Senator know that you support this bill.
Please see how you can take action below. And please pass this alert onto others in New Mexico and encourage them to take action.
Thank you for speaking up for wildlife,
`Judy Paulsen
Project Coyote New Mexico Representative
SB 253 ~ Bill to Ban Coyote Killing Contests
Senate Bill 253 would make it illegal to organize and participate in coyote killing contests (CKCs) in New Mexico.A recent editorial in the Albuquerque Journal supported the bipartisan bill stating:
"The 2015 version of a ban is a narrowly crafted bipartisan proposal that protects the rights of true sportsmen, ranchers and residents by ending one thing, and one thing only: the practice of shooting as many coyotes as quickly as possible. Because that’s what coyote-killing contests are all about – killing not because the animals pose a threat, or because the pelts and meat will be used, or because there’s a trophy to be mounted, but because it’s fun to shoot a whole lot of living things."
SB 253 is also widely supported by leading wildlife scientists and researchers. Fifty scientists recently signed a letter in support of the prohibition of wildlife-killing contests, citing peer-reviewed studies that show that indiscriminate killing of predators is not an effective wildlife manamement method for reducing livestock losses or boosting ungulate prey (deer, etc.) populations as is often argued by killing contest proponents.
Please join us in supporting SB 253 by calling and writing to your state Senator today. You can obtain his/her contact info. here, click and select Senate (under "Political Body" and then click on their name for full contact info.).
If you're able please attend Tuesday's hearing in the Senate Conservation Committee at the capitol at 2pm. We need to show a strong force of support!
Talking Points (please personalize your letters):
*Coyote-killing contests are conducted for profit, entertainment, prizes, and simply for the “fun” of killing.
*Coyotes are often baited and lured with distress calls of pups or wounded prey, placing coyotes at an even greater and unfair disadvantage. Read more here.
*No evidence exists showing that indiscriminate killing contests serve any effective wildlife management function. Coyote populations that are not exploited (e.g. hunted or trapped) form stable “extended family” social structures that naturally limit populations through defense of territory and the suppression of breeding by subordinate female members of the family group. Indiscriminate killing of coyotes disrupts this social stability resulting in increased reproduction and pup survival. Read more here.
*Coyotes have been shown to provide ecosystem services that benefit humans, including the control of rodents and rabbits which compete with domestic livestock for forage and which are associated with diseases such as plague, hantavirus, tularemia and Lyme disease. Read more here.
*Coyote-killing contests perpetuate a culture of violence and send the message to children that life has little value and that an entire species of animals is disposable.
*Coyote-Killing contests put non-target wildlife (including highly endangered Mexican wolves), companion animals, and people at risk.
*Senate Bill 253 will not restrict the ability to protect property including livestock, will not undermine Second Amendment gun ownership rights, nor will it limit hunting in any other way.
***
“The non-specific, indiscriminate killing methods used in these commercial and unrestricted coyote killing contests are not about hunting or sound land management. These contests are about personal profit, animal cruelty...It is time to outlaw this highly destructive activity.”
~Ray Powell, former New Mexico Land Commissioner
PLEASE SHARE THIS ALERT WITH OTHERS!
LEARN MORE
Programs
Events
Issues
News/Media
Resources
Shop
GET INVOLVED
Join our pack!
Follow Us:
E-Team
YouTube
OUR MISSION
Promoting coexistence
between people and wildlife through education, science
and advocacy.
CONTACT US
PROJECT COYOTE
P.O. BOX 5007
LARKSPUR, CA 94977
415-945-3232
info@projectcoyote.org
