Stop Coyote Killing Contest: one petition, one letter

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BACKGROUND

Please join Project Coyote and a coalition of organizations in calling on the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CADFW) and the California Fish & Game Commission (Commission) to stop a proposed coyote killing contest hunt planned for early February in Modoc County, California, and to conduct a top-to-bottom evaluation of the State’s approach to managing predators in California.

Specific details about the contest hunt:

What: “Coyote Drive 2013” Coyote Contest Hunt sponsored by the Pit River Rod and Gun Club along with Adin Supply
Where: Adin Supply Company, Adin, CA
When: Feb. 8-10, 2013
More info.: http://www.adinsupply.com/coyote%20drive.htm

Killing coyotes- or any wild animal- as part of a ‘contest’ ‘tournament’ or ‘drive’ is ethically indefensible, ecologically reckless, and contravenes new legislation (AB 2402) that Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law that requires the Fish & Game Commission to use “ecosystem based management” and the best available science in the stewardship of California’s wildlife. The contest hunt planned for Adin, CA, also poses a significant threat to the recovery of gray wolves in California. This region is where OR-7 (aka “Journey” – the only federally protected gray wolf known to be in California) has been known to range, and contest hunts like the one proposed are a threat to his safety and the safety of any other un-collared wolves who may roam the area.


PETITION

Please click HERE to sign


WHOM TO CONTACT

Email block:

Director@wildlife.ca.gov ; fgc@fgc.ca.gov

Individual:

California Department of Fish & Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham: Director@wildlife.ca.gov
California Fish & Game Commission: fgc@fgc.ca.gov


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Director Bonham, California Department of Fish & Wildlife Commissioners, and California Fish & Game Commission:

I strongly oppose California’s sanctioning of wildlife killing contests – in particular the upcoming “Coyote Drive 2013” scheduled for Feb. 8-10 in Adin. Not only are such contest hunts offensive in their wanton waste of wildlife and disregard for the important ecological role coyotes (and other predators) play in maintaining ecosystem health and species diversity, but they also pose a significant threat to the recovery of gray wolves in California. This region is where OR-7 (aka “Journey”) has been known to range, and while DFW staff have expressed their concerns for the safety of OR-7 (and any other un-collared wolves who may roam the area), this contest hunt continues year after year.

It is time that the Department of Fish and Wildlife conduct a top-to-bottom evaluation of its approach to managing predators in California, including a review of current scientific literature and of proven practices that may be more likely to yield better outcomes for wildlife, other animals, and people. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed legislation (AB 2402) requiring the agency to use “ecosystem based management” approaches and it makes good sense to start at the top – with the species upon whose viability our entire ecosystem depends.

Please make this a priority at your February meeting and please do everything in your power to stop this planned coyote killing contest hunt.

Thank you for taking my concerns into consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

a contest to see how much blood
will be spilling,
such wanton cruelty and savagery,
is much more than chilling.
that in this horror, anyone could revel.
are they just lower forms of “human”,
or tools of the devil!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson