Oregon Residents:
Help Ban Wildlife Killing Contests Statewide!
Contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission and urge them to ban wildlife killing contests (by Sept. 11)
Late last year, Project Coyote joined over 15 local and national conservation and wildlife organizations in filing a petition with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Commission to prohibit coyote killing contests statewide. At the December 2022 meeting, the Commission expressed overwhelming opposition to cruel and wasteful wildlife killing contests. In support of wild lives, they voted 6-1 to direct the ODFW staff to develop an administrative rule to ban killing contests to the extent of their authority.
This could not have happened without your help! The Commission acknowledged the thousands of comments from Oregonians across the state in support of banning killing contests—the most they’ve received on a single issue, ever!
The proposed rule would ban wildlife killing contests on public land for Oregon’s wildlife. Unfortunately, due to competing state law, ODFW does not believe it can pass an outright ban on killing contests on private property. Alongside our coalition partners, we will continue to work to close any potential loophole with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. We will also work with the Oregon State Police to ensure the new rule is enforced to the fullest extent possible should anyone attempt to violate the spirit and intent of the proposed rule.
Now, we need your help again! The Commission will vote on the proposed administrative rule at their Friday, September 15 meeting! However, there is already a hefty campaign being waged in opposition from agribusiness and killing contest participants. Join us in urging the ODFW Commission to adopt the proposed rule to prohibit killing contests!
Here’s how you can help:
- Submit written testimony in support of the proposed rule to odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. Craft your email in your own words using these talking points. Please be sure to submit your message by September 11.
- Testify in person or virtually on Friday, September 15, 2023. The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM PT but the hearing on the proposed rule will begin at ~1:00 PM PT. To testify virtually register here and select “Exhibit E: Derby Prohibition for Taking Unprotected Mammals”. Craft your verbal testimony using these talking points.
- In-person meeting location: