In, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and many other states, right now is coyote killing contest season. Once deer season has ended, many predator hunters take to the field, killing as many coyotes as they can with the use of electronic callers, night vision and assault-style rifles with thermal imaging scopes.
George Wiidmaier confirming a kill in Michigan’s Great Lakes Region Predator Challenge in January 2019.
In Michigan, only since 2017 have the weapons predator hunters use today been allowed to legally hunt coyotes at night. Previously, predator hunters were limited to using shotguns or .22 calibre rimfire rifles. Now they’re able to use centerfire ammunition and rifless up to .269 caliber, a big benefit when trying to shoot coyotes more than 100 yards away.
More coyotes means more money in Michigan’s coyote killing contests which are held from January until March across the state.
Like many modern predator hunters, George Witmaier has killed over a 100 coyotes with the aid of his electronic callers and high-powered rifles with night vision and thermal imaging scopes. All of these videos are shared publicly on Facebook, and represent just one of the many individuals who attend and economically benefit from coyote killing contests which are held every winter in Michigan, and across America.
This isn’t wildlife management, it’s unregulated and ecologically irresponsible killing for fun and profit.
Five states have already banned coyote killing contests, recognizing that unregulated and commercial killing of predators only creates more problems than it solves. In the midwest and eastern states, coyotes have filled the ecological niche left after wolf eradication in the last century. Most states now recognize the eastern coyote as a hybrid blend of coyote, wolf and domestic dog, and as a functioning member of the ecosystem.
In 2019, George Widmaier won $1,600 at the Dog Down Coyote Tournament. This year’s contest he’s hoping for 1st Place. Most of Michigan’s wildlife killing contests are organized on Facebook.
Still many states like Michigan encourage the wholesale slaughter of coyotes, fox and bobcats and even the state’s governor appointed Natural Resources Commission endorses killing contests with cash rewards given to those who kill the most public trust wildlife.
If you agree that it’s time to end these barbaric and cruel contests that encourage and reward the mistreatment and disrespect of wildlife, please send a polite email to Michigan’s Natural Resources Board asking that they ban coyote and other wildlife killing contests immediately.
More confirmed kills for the Luzerne Predator Round-Up in 2019.
And tell your friends not to visit Michigan or drink beer from a state where the killing of wildlife is celebrated and sadists like George Witmaier are rewarded!
SEND YOUR EMAIL TO:
NRC@Michigan.gov
A good night’s work for George Widmaier during a Michigan coyote killing contest in 2018.
Wolf Patrol 