From January 24-26, 2020, Michigan's largest wildlife killing contest, the 7th Annual Great Lakes Region Predator Challenge ended in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Coyote and fox killing contest awarded over $4,000 in cash and prizes to the top teams in the competition. Over 160 teams competed, with the winning team bringing in 13 coyotes. The second place winners brought in 10 coyotes and 3 foxes.
The following video is comprised of videos shared on Facebook by various contestants participating in this year's contest. Although 195 coyotes and foxes were registered in this killing contest, that number does not include the wounded animals that were not recovered after being shot at night with the aid of night vision and thermal imaging scopes.
One contestant, Top Ten Percent Predator Control stated, "Only ended up with 6 coyotes after a few runners, and a few misses..." The term, "runners" refers to animals that are shot but able to run away to later die a slow and agonizing death.
The Great Lakes Regional Predator Challenge is one of over 50 wildlife killing contests taking place in Michigan this winter, and but one of hundreds taking place all across America.
While this particular killing contest's participants only hunted with high-powered rifles at night, many other contests include the use of hounds which often fight and kill animals in these contests.
Please send an email to Michigan's Natural Resources Committee and let them know that no state wildlife agency should endorse the awarding of cash and prizes to those who kill the most public trust wildlife.
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