Proposal to ban coyote hunting contests in Nevada rejected

By The Associated Press

Saturday, March 21, 2015 | 5:35 p.m.

Nevada wildlife commissioners have rejected a proposal to ban coyote hunting contests, despite the pleas of opponents who branded the events as "killing for kicks."

The Nevada Wildlife Commission voted 7-1 Friday to deny a petition intended to end a practice that awards cash and other prizes to hunters who kill the most coyotes.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports the action was taken after some 50 people spoke for and against the proposal during a three-plus-hour hearing.

Don Molde of Nevadans for Responsible Wildlife Management says the contests have no real impact in reducing coyote numbers and represent the "frivolous killing of an animal."

But a retired employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, James Schmidt, says the contests have a significant impact in controlling populations of an animal that kills livestock and pets.