The Nevada Wildlife Commission, dominated by hunting and ranching interests, has debated coyote killing contests to death during the last year with no resolution to a ban originally proposed by the Clark County Commission. Now, with the threat of state lawmakers invading their territory, wildlife commissioners may be ready to act.
“I see the growing vocal support from local governments, and frustration with years of inaction on coyote contests as other states have ended them,” Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts, chairman of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, told the Current. “I believe that given that, if the Commission does not act the issue will almost certainly end up before the next Legislature with significant momentum.”
Killing contests have been banned in surrounding states, rendering Nevada a popular destination for the events, which offer prizes, usually cash, to the person who kills the most coyotes.
The Reno City Council recently joined Clark County in calling for an end to the events.