Nevada poised to legitimize wildlife killing contests

A multi-year effort by conservationists and others to ban what they say is the wanton slaughter of coyotes for cash and prizes has morphed into a movement to end the debate by licensing wildlife killing contests.

On Saturday, the Nevada Wildlife Commission, which has rejected calls to end the contests, debated two proposals from staff on regulating the contests.

The first would set a season for the contests, beginning in September and ending in March, and require the organizer to obtain a special use permit, which could spell out details such as how participants must dispose of dead animals. Additionally, contest participants would be required to get a separate license from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

A second proposal would require people to obtain a license to kill any wildlife, including unprotected species such as coyotes, jackrabbits and squirrels.

Participants who are 12 years old or younger would be exempt from licensure.

Commissioner Eddie Booth suggested that requiring a license to kill any unprotected species warrants public notification.

Governor Lombardo appoints the Wildlife Commissioners who believe in sanctioning animal cruelty as a blood sport. Let him know how you feel:https://gov.nv.gov/contact/contact/