Maine Fails to Protect Wildlife — We Need Federal Action

The state of Maine has just missed a critical opportunity to protect its wildlife and take a stand against inhumane and violent killing contests. This week, LD 1293 — An Act to Prohibit Coyote-killing Contests in Maine — officially died, leaving coyotes across the state vulnerable to continued slaughter for sport.

The bill would have made it a Class E crime to organize or sponsor competitions that reward the killing of coyotes for prizes or entertainment. Despite a strong outpouring of support from wildlife advocates during public hearings, the legislation was met with fierce opposition from hunting and trapping groups, as well as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Opponents of the bill falsely argued that banning these contests would lead to surges in the coyote population, claiming that without natural predators, the species would become uncontrollable. But this claim is not backed by science. In fact, peer-reviewed research has shown that the indiscriminate killing of large numbers of coyotes disrupts their social structures and often leads to increased breeding and population growth. There is simply no justification for these cruel and unethical events. 

The failure of Maine’s bill makes one thing abundantly clear: we need a federal solution. The Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act would outlaw the organization, promotion, and participation in these violent events on over 500 million acres of U.S. public lands. If passed, it would mark a critical step forward in protecting countless animals from senseless slaughter.

You can help build momentum for this vital legislation by contacting your representatives and urging them to support the bill when it is reintroduced in the 119th Congress.