Missed the Tournament of Roses? There's Always the Tournament of Dead Coyotes

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-01-05 14:00:00 UTC
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Right now in northern Maine, hunters are competing to see who can kill the most, and the largest, coyotes between mid-December and the end of January. This "festivity" is not only endorsed by government officials, but it's sponsored by the Jackman-Moose River Region Chamber of Commerce.

Coyote tournaments take place throughout the U.S. and are often accompanied by banquets, dances, and "skinning parties" to celebrate the deaths of hundreds of animals. These tournaments are usually created either to boost the deer population (presumably so there's an excuse to cull them later) or to protect livestock. So, instead of using humane deterrents to protect livestock, municipalities opt for "fun and games" ... well, maybe for the hunters.

It's not quite as fun for the coyotes, especially the ones who make it into the sights, but aren't killed. They're left behind to die slow, painful deaths from gunshot wounds.

It's bad enough when private individuals and corporations promote killing as a sport, but as a government activity, with prizes, it's especially insulting and offensive to citizens who respect life. Not to mention cruel and ineffective -- there aren't enough predators killed in a concentrated area to impact the population for either deer or livestock protection. As senior director of HSUS's Wildlife Abuse Campaign says, these tournaments "only advance an archaic idea that the value of animals is their dead weight."

Photo credit: National Park Service

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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