Support a nationwide ban on wildlife killing contests

Wildlife killing contests are organized events in which participants compete for prizes by attempting to kill the most animals over a certain time period. It’s a disgusting practice in which the winners are rewarded for piling up the most or biggest animals or even killing the most different kinds of species.

Currently, seven states—Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Washington, Vermont, and Massachusetts, and Maryland—have banned some forms of wildlife killing contests. We’re working hard to end these barbaric and reprehensible killing competitions nationwide and could use your help to score a win against brutality.

Photo Credit: WildEarth Guardians

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Wildlife Decision Makers

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Dear Wildlife Decision Makers,

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I support a nationwide ban on barbaric wildlife killing contests because they devalue native wildlife, glorify wasteful violence, disrupt natural processes and have no place in 21st century, humane, science-based wildlife management.

These killing contests promote gratuitous violence and send the message that killing is fun, animals are disposable, and life is cheap. The very nature of these events  where participants are motivated by financial rewards to kill as many animals as allowed over a designated time period  increases the likelihood that participants will fail to abide by the rules and values embraced by ethical sportsmen and sportswomen.

Wildlife killing contests may put threatened or endangered wildlife species in peril. For example, wildlife killing contests have targeted bobcats, which are commonly mistaken for Canadian lynx due to morphological similarities.

The best available science also indicates that indiscriminately killing native carnivores is not an effective method for increasing game species abundance, including populations of ungulates, small game animals, and game birds.

Wildlife killing contests also do not prevent conflicts with humans, pets, or livestock--and may increase them.

Ending barbaric and reprehensible wildlife killing contests nationwide would be a win against brutality and cruelty and has my full support.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
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[Your Email]