THERE IS no law against wildlife killing contests in the state nor is there any regulation. Yet such contests, particularly ones targeting coyotes, are held each year—two in the state’s southeast and southwest, and one via an outdoors publication. Typically, animals killed are dumped, and guns and ammo are given as prizes.

Part of my growing-up was being taught to hunt. Among the basic lessons I learned were (a) always assume that any gun, every gun, is loaded; (b) never point a gun at anyone, period; (c) never kill anything you don’t intend to eat.