UPDATE RE: SB 723 – CLICK HERE
Thanks to your support, we are so close to banning cruel and ecologically destructive coyote killing contests in Oregon. SB 723 passed the State Senate on June 5 by a 17–12 vote and is now in the House Rules Committee for consideration. We need your help TODAY to make sure SB 723 passes out of the Committee.
Contact the House Rules Committee ~ Speak up for the voiceless coyotes who need your help.
Email the Committee:
Please send an email to the House Committee on Rules at hrules.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. You can simply say, “I’m an Oregon resident and I respectfully urge you to vote YES on SB 723 to prohibit coyote killing contests in the state.” Be sure to indicate if you serve any special roles in your community. For maximum impact, please take a few minutes to personalize your message – talking points below.
Talking Points:
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering coyotes.
- Hunter and Chairman of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Mike Finley has condemned wildlife killing contests, calling them “slaughter fests” and “stomach-turning examples of wanton waste.”
- Killing contests are a bloodsport like dogfighting and cockfighting. Killing coyotes for thrills and prizes–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.The events put non-target species (including imperiled wolves) at risk.
- New Mexico and Vermont banned coyote killing contests in 2018 and 2018, respectively, and California prohibited the awarding of prizes for killing furbearing and nongame animals in 2014.
- Recent polling of Oregon voters found that a solid majority support an end to coyote killing contests in the state.
- 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 with coyotes. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods is more effective.
- Coyotes play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. They reduce rabbit and rodent populations, keep environments free of animal carcasses, and increase biodiversity.
- This bill is not a ban on hunting and does not impact other laws. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt coyotes according to state laws. SB 723 does not prohibit fishing tournaments or affect laws related to lethal control of specific, problem-causing coyotes.
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 Oregon’s coyotes!
For Wild Nature,
Katie Stennes
Programs & Communications Manager