Protect Virginia’s Wildlife!
Contact the Virginia DWR to let them know you support a ban on wildlife killing contests in the state (deadline Dec. 2nd!)
Every year, cruel and senseless wildlife killing contests are held throughout Virginia. These contests, which contravene science-based wildlife management principles, promote the indiscriminate killing of wildlife, with prizes awarded to the individuals who kill the most, largest or even smallest animals. The largest killing contest east of the Mississippi River, the Eastern U.S. Predator Calling Championship, occurs in Wytheville where in 2022 contestants gunned down 590 coyotes and an untold number of foxes for the chance to win champion belt buckles, trophies and $25,600 in prize money.
In 2021, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) made a statement in support of banning wildlife killing contests in the state. Now we are asking the agency to follow through and prohibit killing contests through the rulemaking process. Virginia DWR should ban these contests given their inherent cruelty and the disrespect they display towards wildlife, their negative ecological impacts and the lack of evidence that contests serve any purpose other than to kill for “fun”.
We need your help.
Urge the Virginia DWR to ban wildlife killing contests in the state!
Here’s how you can help:
- Submit comments on the 2023-2024 Wildlife Regulations Public Scoping using the online form here. Please be sure to submit your message by December 2nd. When filling out the form, please select the following species:
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- Fox Squirrel
- Gray Fox
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Gray Squirrel
- Red Fox
- Raccoon
- Select “statewide” for the specific location.
- In the text box about “primary concern or issue”, craft your comments in your own words using the Talking Points below.
- In the text box about “desired regulation change”, indicate your desire for a ban on wildlife killing contests and for the DWR to disallow cash and other prizes for killing.
2. Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) and submit it to your local newspaper.
- Inform your fellow Virginians and encourage them to submit comments.
- Use the talking points below. See tips on LTEs here.
3. Spread the word by sharing this alert with other Virginia residents and encourage them to take action.
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Talking Points
(Please personalize and be respectful)
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- There is no scientific evidence that indiscriminately killing coyotes reduces their populations, protects livestock or increases populations of “game” animals like deer. Randomly killing coyotes disrupts their pack structure, which can increase their populations and increase conflicts between coyotes, humans, and domestic animals. Preventing conflicts by utilizing humane, non-lethal solutions is more effective.
- In 2021, the Virginia DWR introduced a rule to ban killing contests; during the public comment period, 78% of Virginia residents expressed support for a ban on contests.
- During the public comment, the DWR also expressed concerns about the negative impact these contests could have on the public’s view of hunting and noted that there was “no scientific evidence to support claims that predator hunting contests reduce predator numbers, reduce livestock damage, or increase populations of game species[.]”
- Coyotes–the most common target of killing contests– play an important ecological role in healthy ecosystems. For example, coyotes reduce rabbit and rodent populations, scavenge animal carcasses and increase biodiversity. These contests disregard ecological health and sound management.
- Eight states have prohibited wildlife killing contests and several more are considering bans. As awareness of these barbaric events spreads, Americans are increasingly demanding an end to this bloodsport.
- Killing contests damage the reputation of responsible hunters by violating fundamental hunting ethics. Countless animals are injured or orphaned during killing contests. The events also put non-target species at risk.
- Killing contests are a bloodsport. Killing coyotes, foxes, bobcats and racoons for thrills and prizes—with no respect for their intrinsic or ecological value—perpetuates senseless violence and wanton waste.
- Banning wildlife killing contests would not impact regular hunting seasons. Individuals will still be allowed to hunt coyotes and other wildlife according to state laws. It is not the lawful hunting of wildlife that is at issue here, but rather the competitive killing of wildlife in a game for cash and prizes.
- Virginia’s wildlife must be managed in trust for all Virginians. Allowing individuals to wantonly kill wildlife as part of a cruel bloodsport is a grave violation of the state’s obligations to hold wildlife as a public trust for all citizens.