Carnivore Protections

Bans on Killing Contests for Certain Species

Some states seek to prohibit contests for killing species that are frequently targeted in these events. New Mexico (SB 76) and Vermont (10 V.S.A. § 4716) banned coyote killing contests. In 2019, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission adopted a rule to prohibit killing contests for predatory and fur- bearing species. California regulations (14 CCR § 465(b); 14 CCR § 472(e)) ban awarding of prizes for fur-bearing and nongame animals (coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and raccoons).

Categorical Bans on Wildlife Killing Contests

Some state bills would make it unlawful to organize, sponsor, promote, conduct or participate in any contest with the objective of taking wildlife for prizes or other inducement, or for killing targeted species for “fun” and “entertainment.” Examples of bills include New York (S.4253A), New Jersey (A.5224/S.3541) and Wisconsin (AB 29/SB 30). The bills exempt fishing contests.

Limits on Killing Unprotected Species

Some species—typically carnivores considered to be “pests” or “varmints,” including bobcats, coyotes, and foxes—receive few or no protections under the law. One option is to place restrictions on hunting of these species to include implementation of bag limits, seasons, hunting methods, and/or hunting hours. An example is California: AB 273 Prohibit recreational and commercial fur trapping of nongame and furbearing species; AB 1254 Prohibit recreational hunting and trapping of bobcats (2019)

Bans on Inhumane Killing Methods

Another option is to ban certain inhumane practices such as running over animals with snowmobiles or ATVs, penning and/or poisoning. Examples of 2019 bills include Montana (SB 187: Prohibit vehicular injury of predatory animals) and Wyoming (HB 288: Prohibit wantonly killing or injuring animal with snowmobile). Other examples include Virginia (SB 42: Phase out penning of foxes and coyotes to train hunting dogs) and Montana (HB 287: Require traps to be checked daily).

Resolutions Calling on the State Wildlife Management Agency to Adopt Regulations

If legislation is not viable, another option is for the state legislature to pass a resolution or memorial calling on the state wildlife agency to ban killing contests or inhumane killing through regulation. Cities and counties have passed similar resolutions in recent years (examples include Albuquerque, NM; Dewey-Humboldt, AZ; and Madison, WI).