Thanks to your support, we’re almost there! SB 76—which would ban coyote killing contests in New Mexico—has made it through the Senate and two committees in the House and is very close to passing. We need your help TODAY to get it through the full House.
Dozens of these barbaric events–competitions in which participants compete for cash or prizes to kill the smallest, the largest, or the greatest number of coyotes–occur in the state every year. SB 76, bipartisan legislation sponsored by State Senators Mark Moores (R) and Jeff Steinborn (D), would ban these ethically and ecologically indefensible events in New Mexico–relegating the bloodsport to the history books, just like dogfighting and cockfighting.
SB 76 could be voted on any day–the legislative session ends on March 16th.
Please act TODAY by contacting your Representative asking him or her to vote YES on SB 76.
First, find the contact information for the legislator who represents your district.
Next, email your representative with a polite message asking him or her to vote YES on SB 76. Please make sure to let them know you’re their constituent.
Then, follow up with a brief, polite phone call. Again, make sure to let them know you’re their constituent.
Talking Points:
This legislation will prevent a small minority of the population from recklessly slaughtering our wild animals.
- 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. The events put non-target species (including highly endangered Mexican gray wolves) at risk. Participants use electronic calling devices, which mimic the sounds of prey or young in distress, to lure the target animals in for an easy kill. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests.
- Participants perpetuate myths to justify the killing. There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, increases populations of game animals, or protects livestock.
- Killing contests are contrary to sound wildlife management. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure which can increase their populations and increase conflicts with other animals and people. Preventing conflicts with the use of humane, non-lethal methods has proven to be 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.
The bill still allows ranchers to kill specific, problem-causing coyotes, and does not prohibit the legal hunting of coyotes (which can be killed year-round and in unlimited numbers).
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 New Mexico’s coyotes!
For Wild Nature,
 Camilla Fox |
 Dave Parsons |
PLEASE SEE PROJECT COYOTE’S WILDLIFE KILLING CONTEST FACT SHEET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Watch wildlife biologist and NM-based Project Coyote Science Advisory Board member Dave Parsons talk about wildlife killing contests.
Watch a 60-second trailer of Project Coyote’s documentary film, KILLING GAMES ~ Wildlife In The Crosshairs, here.
Thank you for showing your critical support for coyotes by joining Project Coyote and our coalition partners in our efforts to stop coyote killing contests in New Mexico.
Thank you for speaking up for wildlife!