I oppose wildlife killing contests, events where participants seek to kill as many animals as possible for prizes and entertainment. Coyotes are most frequently targeted by these events in Arizona, but bobcats, foxes, and others are sought out too. I grew up a hunter and any true hunter will not participate in these ghastly events.

Wildlife killing contests run afoul of the fundamental ethics of hunting, such as showing respect for the animal’s life. Wildlife killing contests are wasteful, as the coyotes aren’t killed for their meat and their bodies are often used in gratuitous photo shoots meant to inflate the egos of the killers. The bodies are tossed around and into piles with no regard for the life taken.