End wildlife killing contests in Illinois

Disdain for wildlife killing contests is an area of common ground for Illinoisans who hunt and those who don’t. During these grisly events, which commonly take place in January and February, competitors kill coyotes and foxes by the hundreds for frivolous prizes. Once the killing ends, participants pile up the bloody bodies for photos. The animals are then dumped — they aren’t killed for their meat and the high-powered rifles render the fur valueless.

Remington Research Group, a respected bipartisan firm, recently conducted a poll which showed that 73% of Illinois residents support a ban on killing contests. Illinoisans throughout the state do not tolerate senseless activities precipitated upon wildlife. Competitors ignore the ethics of fair chase, sportsmanship and respect for wildlife.

These events are a disgrace and damage the reputation of Illinois.

Hunters and wildlife agency professionals across the country have condemned the contests as unethical, scientifically indefensible, and a threat to the hunting community. When Washington state prohibited contests, Kelly Susewind, the director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said: “part of my job, and frankly part of my soul, is to promote hunting, to get our youth hunting, to really have this be a core piece of what our society supports. And frankly, that job is a lot harder if we’re condoning these types of contests.”

Wildlife is not owned by the small percentage of those who participate in killing contests. Wildlife is important to everyone, and our public policies should reflect that. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources must end these wasteful events.

Christine Pado, Third Lake