Ban on coyote hunting contests rejected
By Jeff DeLong, Reno Gazette-Journal
A proposal to ban coyote hunting contests in Nevada was rejected Friday by state wildlife officials.
After hearing from some 50 people for and against the idea, the Nevada Wildlife Commission voted 7-1 to deny a petition sought to end a controversial practice that gives cash or other awards to hunters who kill the most coyotes during so-called “coyote call” events.
Petition supporters decried the contests as “killing for kicks” and said they have no real impact in paring down the coyote population. Hunters and representatives of organized sportsmen groups countered that the hunts are a legally protected sport and do have a significant impact in controlling populations of an animal that regularly kills livestock and pets and sometimes threatens people.