Colorado Bans Cruel Wildlife-killing Contests

DENVER— The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted yesterday {April 30} to ban wildlife-killing contests for various furbearing and small game species in the state. Colorado is the sixth state to prohibit these cruel events.

When it goes into effect on June 30, this new regulation will end events such as the High Desert Predator Classic in Pueblo, the Song Dog Coyote Hunt in Keenesburg, and the San Luis Valley Coyote Calling Competition.

Winners of wildlife-killing contests often proudly post photos and videos on social media that show them posing with piles of dead coyotes and other animals, often before disposing of the animals in “carcass dumps” away from the public eye.

“Participants of wildlife-killing contests often use unsporting and cruel techniques, such as calling devices that mimic the sound of prey or even pups in distress, so that they can lure shy coyotes and other animals to shoot at close range,” said Aubyn Royall, Colorado state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We thank Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the commission for taking decisive action to ensure that Colorado no longer supports the senseless killing of its treasured wildlife.”

Read more: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/colorado-bans-cruel-wildlife-killing-contests-2020-05-01/