Coyote killing contests banned in Oregon

By OPB staff (OPB)
Sept. 18, 2023 4:59 p.m.
A file photo of a coyote. The group behind Idaho's controversial coyote- and wolf-shooting derby in 2013 is seeking to expand the event for this winter.

A file photo of a coyote.

Flickr/Don McCullough

It’s now illegal to organize or participate in coyote hunting contests in Oregon.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday voted in new rules that prohibit contests aimed at killing coyotes — or other unprotected mammals native to Oregon. The vote of 6 in favor of prohibiting such killings and one abstention followed testimony from more than 40 people at the meeting in Bend on Friday, accordingf to ODFW.

In wildlife killing contests, participants compete for prizes to kill specific animals in a given time period. The goal of the contests is usually to decrease conflicts with livestock — though studies show that killing coyotes can actually increase livestock deaths, as it encourages coyotes to breed more.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: