Billed as Wisconsin’s largest coyote killing contest, Moondog Madness draws hundreds of predator callers every January to southern Wisconsin. This year’s hunters brought in a total of 155 coyotes killed during three separate weekends of killing across the state.

The contest began in Sparta, Wisconsin on January 4th with 24 two-man teams of hunters bringing in a total of 80 coyotes. Round two took place January 18-20th in Sauk City with a total of 33 coyotes killed. The third and final round was completed on February 10th in Cambria, Wisconsin with twenty two-man teams bringing in 41 coyotes.

Here are the Rules for Moondog Madness killing tournament:

“Two man teams. Calling only. Hunt anywhere. Each event pays out with an over all champion at the end. Most coyotes wins. Weight if there is a tie. Bite blocks will be used and you have to make your own. We will give you the measurements of the blocks. In order to qualify for the overall you have to hunt in at least two of the three events. We post a word that has to be written on the top of the block and placed in the mouth towards the roof of the coyotes mouth. Check in is Sunday at 2:00 pm. After the check in we will pay the top three at each of the events and hand out door prizes.”

 

A number of smaller coyote killing contests continue across Wisconsin and Michigan, with events taking place every weekend until mid-March. The following is a photo taken on February 3, 2019 at a coyote killing contest in Shopiere, Wisconsin.

If you live in Wisconsin and would like to voice your opposition to wildlife killing contests, there’s a lot you can do right now!

Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) is introducing a bill that would ban cruel wildlife killing contests in Wisconsin.

1)  This bill needs lots of co-sponsors from both the Senate and Assembly.

Contact both your state Senator and Representative and say, “Please sign onto LRB 1453/1 relating to: prohibiting contests for killing wild animals and providing a penalty, sponsored by Senator Fred Risser.”

2)  This bill needs an Assembly companion bill sponsored by a Republican. 

If your state Representative is a Republican, contact him/her with this message: “Please co-sponsor a companion bill for LRB 1453/1, related to prohibiting wildlife contests and providing a penalty, sponsored by Senator Fred Risser.”

Look up your state Senator and Representative here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/

You can also help by sending an email to Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Board members telling them that you do not support events that pay cash prizes for the most predators killed. Send your email to the Natural Resources Board liaison at:

Laurie.Ross@wisconsin.gov

Although Moondog Madness and other hunts take place outside of wolf territory, there are many of these contests that place wolves at risk. Wolf Patrol is asking Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest officials to suspend all wildlife killing contests in Wisconsin’s national forests until a full study can be made of the impact these contests have on wildlife populations and the environment.

Coyote killing contests in northern Wisconsin often involve the use of hunting dogs which lead to violent dog fights with not only coyotes, but wolves as well. Last year there were over 20 reported fights between wolves and hunting dogs in northern Wisconsin. Wolf Patrol is also opposed to coyote killing contests in federally protected gray wolf habitat, as these contests often offer prizes for the largest coyote killed, increasing the likelihood of accidental wolf shootings.

Send emails to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest officials at:

cnnfadmin@fs.fed.us

END WILDLIFE KILLING CONTESTS NOW!