NEW MEXICO PANEL OKS BILL OUTLAWING COYOTE-HUNTING CONTESTS

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Feb 16, 3:18 PM EST



SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Legislation that would ban coyote-hunting competitions in New Mexico cleared its first hurdle Thursday, while a measure aimed at overhauling the mission of the state's game and fish agency was sidelined amid concerns about financial burdens.

During a packed hearing, a majority of the Senate Conservation Committee gave the coyote bill a do-pass recommendation. It must win approval from two more committees before reaching the Senate floor for a vote.

The bill sponsored by Democrat Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces and Republican Mark Moores of Albuquerque would outlaw coyote-killing contests after a number of competitions in recent years drew anger from animal rights advocates.

Moores told the committee that the bill would not prevent landowners from hunting the predators on their property.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WILDLIFE_BILLS_NEW_MEXICO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-02-16-15-18-22

[marybourg]

1. "the predators".

What animals are not "predators"? How else would anything but a household-pet eat?

[fantase56]

2. About f#$king time.....

though it will probably be vetoed by our governor. for years this has been a controversial bloody sport promoted by gun dealers and "hunting enthusiasts" where hundreds of coyotes are slaughtered under the guise of predator control. this is a state that still allows foot traps (think bear traps) which are brutal and catch as many domestic pets and the occasional unlucky human as they do their intended victims. hell, we just in recent years outlawed cockfighting.

[Tikki]

3. "True Men Don't Kill Coyotes"....RHCP (1984)

Tikki

[Warpy]

4. I have a great deal of sympathy for the ranchers

but somebody has to get through to them: the only thing you get when you shoot, poison or trap coyotes is more coyotes. They step up their breeding to replace any they've lost in their particular range.

The only thing that has ever worked to keep them in check is reintroducing direct competitors for food, wolves.

Ranchers don't much like that idea, but from what I know about hunting styles, I'd rather have the wolves.