FACT BRIEFAre coyote killing contests held in Nevada?
YES
“At least 15 annual competitions targeting coyotes, foxes, bobcats, badgers, raccoons, beavers and ringtails take place in Nevada,” according to Rebecca Goff, Nevada state director for the Humane Society.
Contestants are awarded prizes and money for killing the most animals, the largest, the smallest, the greatest number of females, and other categories.
A February poll found that 66% of Nevadans oppose wildlife killing contests while 19% support them, with the rest unsure.
Back in 2021, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission voted 5-4 to reject a regulation that would have banned wildlife killing contests. The commissioner stated, “What are we regulating? They’re really not doing anything illegal.”
Earlier this year, the Nevada Legislature considered a bill to ban the contests, but it failed to advance.
Eight states — Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont — currently ban wildlife killing contests.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Humane Society Just released: Undercover investigations at horrific Nevada wildlife killing contests reveal slaughter of roughly 120 coyotes for cash
Reno Gazette Journal Hunters: Legislation that would end coyote-hunting contests ‘attacks the culture of Nevada’
Public Policy Polling Do you support or oppose wildlife killing contests?
AP News Nevada board rejects proposal to ban coyote killing contests
LegiScan Nevada Assembly Bill 102
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