We’re glad the agency responsible for the protection of the state’s wildlife is calling for a ban on killing contests for coyotes and other furbearers such as bobcats, foxes and racoons — and we hope that Massachusetts soon implements such prohibitions.

Coyote killing competitions are a distasteful — and disingenuous — way to practice sport and control a growing coyote population, as organizers claim.

These contests, one of which is hosted by the Fairview Sportsman’s Club in Granby between Jan. 1 and March 2 each year, have garnered much attention this year. Other coyote killing contests are held in Pittsfield and Hyannis, the latter of which has prompted an outcry with opponents saying the practice is cruel and violates animal…