End Coyote Killing Contests

Coyotes are intelligent, adaptable animals that play an important role in our ecosystem.  Most of us are not aware that coyote killing contests are legal and take place each year in Massachusetts.  The sponsors of these contests award prizes to the hunters that kill the largest male and female coyotes.  Prizes are also given out for the hunters who bring in the most accumulative weight of coyotes over the duration of the contest.  One contest lasts for 6 months and there is no limit to the number of coyotes that can be killed.  California, Vermont, and New Mexico have banned killing contests and several other states are actively taking action to stop them.

As more Massachusetts residents learn about these horrendous killing contests, they are calling on state officials to put a stop to them.  In response to the public outcry, MassWildlife, the agency that regulates hunting, has organized a series of public listening sessions to solicit input from the public.  The next session will be held on June 4th from 6-8pm at Blanchard Middle School in Westford.  This will be an opportunity to learn more about coyotes and to speak out against these cruel killing contests.  If you cannot attend the meeting, you can submit written comments to [email protected].

Category: Community | Local / Community

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Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm