Idaho Wolf and Coyote Derby Hunters Shoot Themselves in the Collective Foot, Have it Amputated

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Like me, you’re probably getting fed up with mainstream media’s coverage of wildlife issues lately. Although hunters make up a paltry 6% of the country’s overall population, every source, from the nightly news to Time magazine has been reporting on hunters’ atrocities against animals like a bunch of star-struck, goo-goo eyed fans, rather than impartial journalists.

Why else would news of a “contest” hunt for coyotes and wolves planned for December 28th in Salmon, ID, go unnoticed on the media’s radar screen?

You can bet if Justin Bieber (whoever the hell that is) stepped in dog crap, they’d be all over that shit.

But when an endangered species makes a bit of a comeback only to provide “recreational hunting opportunities” for psychopaths bent on their renewed extermination, they give it the coverage they would a company picnic.

That’s why Exposing the Big Game (ETBG) is starting a new series: “Headlines We’d Like to See” (based on Mad Magazine’s “Scenes We’d Like to See.”) Watch for installments over the coming weeks…

Anyway, getting back to my original point, adding wolves to the cast of potential derby victims should indeed shoot Idaho hunters in the collective foot—figuratively, if not literally.

Text and Wildlife Photography ©Jim Robertson, 2013. All Rights Reserved

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Coyote Photo by Jim Robertson

“In my opinion, a society that condones unlimited killing of any species of wildlife for fun and prizes is morally bankrupt.”
~ Dave Parsons, Project Coyote Science Advisory Board

Please join Project Coyote in protest of an indefensible coyote and wolf killing “derby” ironically scheduled on the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, our nation’s safety-net for wildlife, that brought wolves back from the brink of extinction. It is imperative that everyone speak out against this atrocity scheduled in just two weeks. Time is ctitical.

This is not hunting but a gratuitous massacre that is legal in Idaho and across the country. Prizes will be offered to contestants who kill the largest wolf and the most female coyotes. Children as young as 10 are encouraged to compete, with prizes being offered to youth from the ages of 10-14.

These competitions are ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless, as well as a public safety risk, as shooters fan out across the landscape, trying to shoot large numbers of coyotes and wolves.

Specific details about the contest hunt:

What: “1st Annual 2 Day Coyote & Wolf Derby” brough to you by Idaho for Wildlife, Salmon Chapter, Sportsman Group
Where: Salmon, Idaho
When: Dec. 28th & 29th, 2013

Wolf Coyote Derby Salmon Idaho Dec.2013

A wolf tag can be purchased for as little as $11.75, permitting each hunter to shoot 4 to 10 wolves (depending on region). 154 wolves have been killed in Idaho since hunting season opened on August 30th. Idaho is showing the nation what happens to wolves following the removal of federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Please contact the following individuals to voice your opposition:

Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Virgil Moore, Director
600 S. Walnut
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2920
Email: virgil,moore@idfg.idaho.gov
http://gov.idaho.gov/ourgov/contact.html

Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Will Naillon, Salmon Region IDFG Commissioner
Email: willnaillon@gmail.com

Idaho Fish and Game Commission
Bob Barowsky, Chairman
Email: bbarowsky@fmtc.com

Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2100
Email: governor@gov.idaho.gov

Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Charleane Hermosillo, Executive Director
Phone: (800) 727-2540 , (208) 756-2100
Email: svcc1@centurytel.net

Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, Boise
John May, Executive Director
Phone: (208) 342-1438
Email: john@koga.org
IOGA represents all outfitters in the state of Idaho. If you use Idaho outfitters for white water rafting, camping, backcountry skiing – please mention this and urge IOGA to speak out against having their members participate in a predator killing contest.

2010-10-15-CoyotesonAlbertaBarn2006fromJamesKerryFinley

“The non-specific, indiscriminate killing methods used in this commercial and unrestricted coyote killing contest are not about hunting or sound land mamangement. These contests are about personal profit, animal cruelty…It is time to outlaw this highly destructive activity.”
~ Ray Powell, New Mexico Land Commissioner

Talking Points (please personalize your letter and if you recreate in Idaho please mention this):

1. Killing contests have nothing in common with fair chase, ethical hunting. Technology, baiting, and “calling” place wildlife at an even greater and unfair disadvantage. Killing predators, or any wild animal, as part of a ‘contest’ or ‘derby’ is ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless.

2. Bloodsport contests are conducted for profit, entertainment, prizes and, simply, for the “fun” of killing. No evidence exists showing that predator killing contests control problem animals or serve any beneficial management function. Coyote populations that are not exploited (that is hunted, trapped, or controlled by other means), form stable “extended family” social structures that naturally limit overall coyote populations through defense of territory and the suppression of breeding by subordinate female members of the family group.

3. The importance of wolves, coyotes and other predators in maintaining order, stability, and productivity in ecosystems has been well documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Coyotes provide myriad ecosystem services that benefit humans including their control of smaller predators, rodents, and jackrabbits, which compete with domestic livestock for available forage. As apex predators wolves increase biodiversity and ecological integrity.

4. With fewer than 700 wolves in Idaho and poaching a common problem, allowing a killing contest of a species just off the endangered species list is reckless, indefensible and counter to sound science.

5. Economically, a live wolf is worth far more than a dead one. Wolf watching has brought in millions of dollars into Idaho and tourism is a major economic revenue source.

6. Wildlife killing contests perpetuate a culture of violence and send the message to children that life has little value and that an entire species of animals is disposable.

7. Wildlife killing contests put non-target animals, companion animals, and people at risk. Domestic dogs are sometimes mistaken for coyotes and wolves (see article on sidebar).

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Thank you always for your support & action on behalf of wildlife!

Camilla H. Fox
Executive Director

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Now They’re Planning a Coyote AND Wolf Hunting Contest in Idaho!!!!

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Competitive hunting of wolves, coyotes in Idaho sparks outcry

Laura Zuckerman

Reuters

7:14 p.m. CST, December 11, 2013

SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – The first statewide competition in decades to hunt wolves and coyotes in Idaho has sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists, who condemned it as “an organized killing contest.”

The so-called coyote and wolf derby is slated for the weekend of December 28-29 in the mountain town of Salmon, Idaho, where ranchers and hunting guides contend wolves and coyotes threaten livestock and game animals prized by sportsmen.

The tournament offers cash and trophies to two-person teams for such hunting objectives as killing the largest wolf and the most female coyotes. Children as young as 10 will be welcomed to compete in a youth division.

Idaho opened wolves to licensed hunting more than two years ago after assuming regulation of its wolf population from the federal government.

But Idaho Department of Fish and Game wolf manager Jason Husseman said the upcoming event is believed to be the first competitive wolf shoot to be held in the continental United States since 1974, when wolves across the country came under federal Endangered Species Act protections.

The wolf, an apex predator that once ranged throughout North America, had by then been hunted, trapped and poisoned to the brink of extinction in the lower 48 states.

Wolves in the Northern Rockies, including Idaho, and in the western Great Lakes were removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list in recent years as their populations climbed and federal wildlife managers declared them recovered. The Obama administration earlier this year proposed removing most wolves nationwide from the list.

The upcoming derby is being sponsored by Idaho for Wildlife, a nonprofit whose aim is “to fight against all legal and legislative attempts by the animal rights and anti-gun organizations” to impose restrictions on hunting or guns, according to the group’s website.

When contacted by telephone on Wednesday about the event, organizer and Idaho big-game outfitter Shane McAfee said media inquiries were not welcome.

Similar contests tied just to coyotes – allowed to be shot on sight as nuisances in much of the U.S. West – have prompted protests in recent years in states such as New Mexico, where many ranchers and hunters endorse the competitive hunts.

Lynne Stone, director of the Boulder-White Clouds Council, an Idaho conservation group, called the planned wolf-coyote derby “an organized killing contest.”

“Stacking up dead animals and awarding children for killing them has no place in a civilized society,” she said.

But Barbara Soper, whose 11-year-old daughter has registered to team with an adult hunter for the Idaho competition, said she and her husband are all for it.

“It’s my daughter’s first big adventure, and she thinks it’s awesome,” Soper said.

(Reporting by Laura Zuckerman; Editing by Steve Gorman and Lisa Shumaker)

Valencia County NM weighs animal hunting contest resolution

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Resolution would officially “oppose” contests

By Chris McKee Sunday, December 1, 2013

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) – Following protests and attempted legislation, a New Mexico county is now trying to tackle the issue of animal hunting contests that could inspire some change.

Valencia County commissioners will soon review and vote on a resolution to oppose the contests. Over the last year, the state has seen several contests targeting coyotes and prairie dogs. At least four of those contests have been held in Valencia County.

Commissioner Alicia Aguilar is behind the resolution’s proposal. In a phone interview with News 13 on Saturday, Aguilar said she’s heard from several people, including a wildlife biologist, who are concerned about the contests impact on wildlife populations.

Other commissioners say residents have raised even more issues with the contests.

“They think it’s a negative look on the county promoting this contests,” said Aragon.

Commissioner Jhonathan Aragon has a background in veterinary medicine. He says he hasn’t made his mind up about which way he’ll vote on the resolution. However, he says the targeted animals are a real problem.

“It is devastating, you know these ranchers put a lot of money and time into these animals to have these coyotes just come in and just you know, ruin their entire life’s work,” said Aragon.

Aragon says despite the vote, it may be time for a change in how the hunting is done.

“Maybe they could work with some of these activist groups to kind of see how they can … just do things differently so that both sides are happy about the outcome,” said Aragon.

Commissioners will debate and vote on the resolution on Wednesday. If it passes, it won’t change any local laws but just serve as the county’s official opinion saying it “opposes animal hunting contests.”

Two of the Valencia County gun shops that have held animal hunting contests for coyotes this year say they plan to hold more in the near future.

Coyote photo Copyright Jim Robertson

Former Vice President Dick Cheney in another hunting accident

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Cheney’s gun malfunctioned during an antelope hunting contest in Wyoming. But, unlike the former No. 2’s 2006 hunting accident, nobody was hurt this time.

By Adam Edelman / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Photo Copyright Jim Robertson

Published: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 .
Former Vice President Dick Cheney suffered another hunting accident over the weekend, but this time nobody was injured.

Cheney’s gun malfunctioned during an antelope hunting contest Sunday in his native Wyoming, preventing the former lawmaker from getting his shot off.

Cheney said the gun failed due to a “problem with the manufacturer.”

“I don’t take it personally,” he told Wyoming’s K2TV. “I’m sure there was a small problem with the manufacturer. But I will be back next year.”

Cheney, an avid hunter, nearly killed his hunting partner in 2006 in a another shooting accident.

Cheney seriously injured Harry Whittington, his quail hunting partner after he accidentally shot him in the face, neck and chest.

Whittington, a Texas lawyer and contributor to the Bush-Cheney campaign, suffered a heart attack during the incident but ultimately survived.

Ignorant Okies to Hold Big Buck Killing Contest Hunt

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

The Okla. Wildlife Management Association (OWMA) is sponsoring a
statewide Big Buck Contest during the Okla. deer hunting seasons.
To be eligible the deer must be legally harvested in Okla. between
the first of Oct. (the opening of archery season) and Jan. 15th (the end
of archery season).
Gross antler score will be used to determine the winners. For the
contest
the gross score is defined as the net typical or net nontypical score plus
deductions. In case there is a tie, the net score will be used as the tie
breaker.
The contest will have three categories: gun (rifle, muzzleloader, pistol)
from a low-fenced or unfenced areas; archery (recurve, longbow, compound,
crossbow) from a low-fenced or unfenced area; and gun or archery from
a high-fenced area (defined as a fence at least 7 feet high enclosing or
constructed with the intent to enclose the area).
The winner of each category will win a $500 cash prize and a free
shoulder
mount of the winning antlers. All the contestants will be eligible for a
prize
drawing valued at $250.
Only white-tailed deer are eligible. This contest is open to all hunters
in Okla. This includes both residents and non-residents. The entry fee
is $25. The deadline to enter is September 30th and each hunter is limited
to two entries. Winners will be announced at the Backwoods Show in Okla.
City this coming spring.
To enter antlers in the contest, the hunter must submit a complete and
signed affadavit contest form, a copy of PDF of both sides of the complete
antler score sheet that is signed by the scorer, plus three photos
depicting
various views of the head and antlers.
To be eligible for the contest, the affidavit, antler score sheet and
photos
must be submitted by Feb. 15th.

Breaking Down the Means of Stupidity

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

http://boldvisions.businesscatalyst.com/opinion.html

by Stephen Capra

Another weekend is about to pass in New Mexico, and another group enjoyed killing innocent animals. So goes it, in the modern, or perhaps throwback American West. South of Albuquerque, in Valencia County is a special place of hell for animals. It is known as Gun Hawk. It is a gun shop owned by people of greed, which make their money off the killing of innocent animals. Their method is to sponsor “killing contests” of coyotes, prairie dogs, and perhaps if they had their way, wolves.

This so-called company thrives on the negative publicity they receive, because like conservation groups, it allows them to become a cause, only they are a cause for fools. You see, if you use the words freedom enough, and talk about heritage, you will have an ample supply of cowboys, young guns, Tea Partiers and worse yet the media, which will quote everything you say without a moments fact checking.

So what this pathetic company is doing is creating a working model for others to emulate in the future. Their bravado is empowering to communities like Clovis, and allows them to take their stand despite science, compassion and simple reason. When George Bush was President many of us protested his war, his environmental policies, his views on abortion. We did it like Americans before us had. We made our case clear and went to the streets to make our case. We did not harm people with whom we disagreed. What has changed is how those on the other side approach dissent. They plant bombs and kill those that believe in a woman’s right to choose. They carry on very public killings of innocent animals, not just for fun, but because they know it is painful to us and they want us to see the carcasses of their personal rage.

To counter this opposition will require that the conservation movement, like Silicon Valley be open to new ways of engaging and fighting for our principles. We cannot speak to these people and try to reason. It is like a conversation with a sociopath, and they simply would not understand the language. I believe in organizing. I see it as essential, but the time has come where you must go from talk to action. Reason is not a guaranteed part of success.

Last week we were in Clovis, we spent time looking at the prairie dogs. Our supplemental feeding and some rain have brought them back to health. I watched as they played and as they stood guard over their territory and thought to myself, they have no idea what is occurring, no idea of the fight. Then another thought occurred, perhaps they do, perhaps they are preparing themselves for what may come. They are hoping for freedom, but resigned to death. Animals sense what is not spoken. They live with dignity and they die with even more.

So we are going to save them, which is not a goal; it is part of the center of our heart and part of our commitment to them. We spoke with the Mayor, the paper and listened to rage, and to phony religious ramblings. As they spoke I searched for their pulse. I looked deeply into their eyes trying to see their personal pain. Was it childhood, was it divorce, it matters not. We all have burdens to overcome, that is the essence of life. When they were done, I knew that our job was far from over.

The earth is heating up, this we know. Many continue to deny that climate change is real. I mention this because people are also heating up. Reason and civility are being lost as the planet continues to boil, as our artic ice melts. It would be easy to say, I want no part of this, I want a home in the country, or to move to Europe. Part of modern society, is a staunch reality that as humans we must be able to absorb more pain and visually see the result of our actions.

The challenge that we all face is how to get us on the right course. We have so many great alternatives, and it begins demanding that we share this planet with all animals-forever. Be it Clovis, be it Africa, or be it the bounty and beauty of our oceans. Stare into the eyes of an animal; you will experience one thing-love.

We can never rest while wolves are being slaughtered. While Coyotes and prairie dogs are killed for fun and laughter. However, we must change tactics, and we must be forceful in our message. People who kill for fun are cowards. What is occurring in simplification- humanity is being bullied. The way for change is to confront the bully, without fear. With this hot powered strength, the bully will yield.

We will soon begin airing our gorilla commercials to fight for the prairie dogs of Clovis and we have plans for a certain gun shop as well. Please help if you can, it’s time we all stare down the bully and share the land with our true kin, the lives that live it wild.

A very wise and learned man stated succinctly my feelings, “When you destroy nature you destroy one’s own nature as well. It kills the song.” Thank you Joseph Campbell

Stop New Mexico’s Coyote and Prairie Dog Killing Contests

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Exposing the Big Game

Contact the Governor: http://www.governor.state.nm.us

Exposing the Big Game

Forget Hunters' Feeble Rationalizations and Trust Your Gut Feelings: Making Sport of Killing Is Not Healthy Human Behavior

Category Archives: Contest Hunt