This bill passed the House, thanks to your help!

Wildlife killing contests are gruesome competitions where participants vie to kill the largest number of animals within a set period, typically targeting species like coyotes and foxes. These events are not only morally repugnant but also lead to the senseless slaughter of countless animals, contributing to ecological imbalance and disregarding the inherent value of wildlife.

HB 2900 could make Illinois the eleventh state to ban wildlife killing contests, saving countless lives of coyotes, raccoons, foxes, and other animals. As an Illinois resident, please contact your representative to urge support of this bill!
 

In February 2023, one single contest in Illinois led to the slaughter of over 400 coyotes, with participants bringing in truckloads of carcasses to weigh-in stations. These animals are not only brutally killed, but they are often then disrespected and discarded in waste pits to rot. These contests even encourage young children to participate in killing animals, indoctrinating them into the cruelty and violence of indiscriminate killing.
 

These contests perpetuate a culture of violence toward wild animals, who are treated as mere shooting targets for entertainment and profit. The sheer scale of these events results in the indiscriminate killing of hundreds of animals, with many left injured or orphaned. It's imperative that we take a stand against such barbaric practices and advocate for legislation, like HB 2900, to end these contests and protect coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and other animals from further exploitation and harm.

In Defense of Animals has supported numerous efforts to end these killing contests across the country, including the recent victory in New York! Now it's Illinois' turn to take this crucial step for animals. HB 2900 will end the mass indiscriminate killing of “fur-bearing” mammals for competition and will save hundreds of lives.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Please Support HB 2900 To Ban Wildlife Killing Contests

I am writing to ask for your support of House Bill 2900, which seeks to ban competitive wildlife killing contests in Illinois. These contests result in the mass killing of hundreds of animals, such as coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, with no regard for ethical or ecological principles or the inherent value of wild animals.

The wanton waste of these animals, who are often discarded and left to rot in waste pits, is not only unethical but also flies in the face of responsible wildlife management practices. These contests serve no legitimate wildlife management purpose and are harmful to natural environments and protected areas.

House Bill 2900 aims only to prohibit the competitive mass killing of Illinois' wild animals for cash and prizes. Similar measures have been adopted in ten states, most recently in New York and Oregon, and it is time for Illinois to follow suit.

By supporting House Bill 2900, you will help reconcile our state's wildlife practices with proper conservation ethics and management practices while putting an end to the unnecessary cruelty and carnage inflicted upon our state’s wildlife.

Thank you for considering my request. I urge you to stand on the right side of history by supporting House Bill 2900 and putting an end to these ecologically destructive contests.

Sincerely,

Signed

This bill passed the House, thanks to your help!