New Mexico bans coyote-killing contests on state land

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/new-mexico-bans-coyote-killing-contests-on-state-land

Last week, New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard signed an executive order banning coyote-killing contests on 9 million acres of state land. The order makes it illegal to organize, sponsor or participate in a killing contest of unprotected species, such as coyotes, on state land. It does not outlaw the killing of coyotes by hunters or ranchers who are protecting their livestock.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, "Wildlife advocates say 20 to 30 coyote-killing derbies are typically organized across New Mexico every year. Such contests often award prize money for the most coyotes killed or the biggest coyote killed. Participants use calling devices to lure coyotes into range."

Many ranchers believe the contests are a legitimate tool for controlling the populations of coyotes, which may kill their livestock. However, this notion goes against scientific research about coyote ecology. In fact, ending the contests could actually help keep their sheep, cattle and other animals.

Coyotes are highly adaptable animals and can even adapt to predation pressures by having higher reproduction rates. When people shoot coyotes indiscriminately and in large numbers, the overall effect is more coyotes.





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