Introduction:
What are Wildlife Killing Contests?
While the general public and lawmakers have condemned blood sports such as dogfighting and cockfighting, wildlife killing contests (WKCs) still happen in almost all of the 45 U.S. states that have not yet banned them.
WKCs are organized events in which participants compete for prizes, such as cash and belt buckles, for killing the most and/or largest, youngest, smallest targeted species within a specified time period. These targeted species in Pennsylvania are typically coyotes, but often include other animals as well. Pennsylvania has more organized WKCs than any other state in the country — with more than 50 across the state.
While the general public and lawmakers have condemned blood sports such as dogfighting and cockfighting, wildlife killing contests (WKCs) still happen in almost all of the 45 U.S. states that have not yet banned them.
WKCs are organized events in which participants compete for prizes, such as cash and belt buckles, for killing the most and/or largest, youngest, smallest targeted species within a specified time period. These targeted species in Pennsylvania are typically coyotes, but often include other animals as well. Pennsylvania has more organized WKCs than any other state in the country — with more than 50 across the state.
Cruel and Unsporting
Participants typically dump the bodies, having no need for them after prizes are awarded. This violates the tenet of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation in that wildlife may only be killed for a legitimate, non- frivolous purpose.
Fundamental hunting ethics dictate that the hunter should not gain an unfair advantage over the hunted, but in WKCs, participants often use high-tech equipment and prepare for months. Hunters often use electronic call devices to attract the animals with sounds that imitate the cry of their prey, or even their young in distress. Manipulating the natural compassion of animals to lure them in for an easy kill is a reprehensible practice condemned by hunters and non-hunters alike.
Participants typically dump the bodies, having no need for them after prizes are awarded. This violates the tenet of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation in that wildlife may only be killed for a legitimate, non- frivolous purpose.
Fundamental hunting ethics dictate that the hunter should not gain an unfair advantage over the hunted, but in WKCs, participants often use high-tech equipment and prepare for months. Hunters often use electronic call devices to attract the animals with sounds that imitate the cry of their prey, or even their young in distress. Manipulating the natural compassion of animals to lure them in for an easy kill is a reprehensible practice condemned by hunters and non-hunters alike.
After decades of using predator control (such as paying bounties) with no effect, and the emergence of wildlife management as a science, the agency finally accepted the reality that predator control does not work.” - The Pennsylvania Game Commission
Some contest organizers may remind participants to follow state hunting laws and regulations, but with prize money and bragging rights on the line, there is a strong incentive for participants to ignore those restrictions. Pregnant females are often killed, and dependent young are often orphaned during WKCs.
Not Sound Wildlife Management
WKCs participants may claim they’re helping to protect livestock or increase numbers of game species like deer, but such pronouncements are not supported by scientific research. All species - especially native carnivores - play a vital role in healthy ecosystems. Coyotes, for example, provide a range of free, natural ecological services: helping to control disease transmission, cleaning up animal carcasses, keeping rodent populations in check, increasing biodiversity, removing sick animals from the gene pool, and protecting crops.
The indiscriminate killing of coyotes may reduce their populations temporarily, but the best available science demonstrates that they will respond with an increase in numbers. WKCs create instability and chaos in coyote family structure, which allows more coyotes to reproduce, encourages the immigration of outside coyotes seeking the space and resources and can increase conflicts with livestock.
WKCs participants may claim they’re helping to protect livestock or increase numbers of game species like deer, but such pronouncements are not supported by scientific research. All species - especially native carnivores - play a vital role in healthy ecosystems. Coyotes, for example, provide a range of free, natural ecological services: helping to control disease transmission, cleaning up animal carcasses, keeping rodent populations in check, increasing biodiversity, removing sick animals from the gene pool, and protecting crops.
The indiscriminate killing of coyotes may reduce their populations temporarily, but the best available science demonstrates that they will respond with an increase in numbers. WKCs create instability and chaos in coyote family structure, which allows more coyotes to reproduce, encourages the immigration of outside coyotes seeking the space and resources and can increase conflicts with livestock.
Other Considerations
- Damaging reputation to ethical hunters.
- Violates all principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
- Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Vermont have outlawed WKCs and several other states are considering similar action.
Awarding prizes for wildlife killing contests is both unethical and inconsistent with our current understanding of natural systems. Such contests are an anachronism and have no place in modern wildlife management.” - Michael Sutton, former president of the California Fish and Game Commission
This information was developed in collaboration with Animal Wellness Action. A PDF version is available for download:
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Updates:
- Join us for an exclusive film screening of Project Coyote's award-winning documentary KILLING GAMES: Wildlife in the Crosshairs on Wednesday, May 13 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring David Parsons, Project Coyote Science Advisory Board Member and Wildlife Biologist, Natalie Ahwesh, HAP Vice President and PA State Director for Animal Wellness Action, and Camilla H. Fox, Founder and Executive Director of Project Coyote and Director and Producer of KILLING GAMES. Register for free here.
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