This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Illinois is on the verge of passing historic legislation to end cruel killing contests targeting wild animals. These contests involve the mass slaughter of animals like coyotes and foxes for prizes, leading to untold suffering and ecological damage. Illinois has the chance to stop these atrocities and become the next state to ban wildlife killing contests.

Now is the time to act! The bill, HB 2900, which has already passed the House, now needs support from the Senate to become law. Please contact your senator today and urge them to back this crucial bill, which would protect coyotes, raccoons, foxes, and other species from being needlessly killed for sport.

In February 2023, one such contest in Illinois resulted in the brutal slaughter of over 400 coyotes, with truckloads of dead animals hauled to weigh-in stations. These animals were treated as nothing more than disposable trophies, often discarded in waste pits after being weighed. Disturbingly, these events also encourage children to take part, desensitizing them to violence and sending a harmful message that wild animals are mere targets for sport. This is not a "fair chase" sport—these contests reward indiscriminate killing, where animals are often lured in with bait or calls, leaving them with no chance of escape.

Beyond the cruelty, these contests signal that Illinois places no value on its wild animals. Coyotes, foxes, and raccoons are integral parts of a healthy ecosystem, controlling rodent populations and balancing natural food webs. By allowing these contests, we send the message that these animals, who have intrinsic worth, can be slaughtered for entertainment. The passage of HB 2900 will ensure that Illinois no longer endorses such destructive and inhumane practices, helping to protect the state's ecosystems and the animals who call them home.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Please Support HB 2900 To Ban Wildlife Killing Contests

As an Illinois resident, and someone who cares about wild animals, I am writing to respectfully urge you to support House Bill 2900, which seeks to ban competitive wild animal killing contests in Illinois. These contests result in the brutal and indiscriminate mass killing of animals such as coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, without consideration for ethical principles or the inherent value of these animals.

The wasteful slaughter of these animals — who are often discarded in waste pits after weigh-ins — goes against the values of responsible wildlife management. These events serve no legitimate ecological purpose and have detrimental effects on natural environments. The indiscriminate killing, often encouraged by cash prizes, only disrupts ecosystems rather than manages them.

HB 2900 has already passed the House, and Illinois now has the opportunity to join ten other states — including New York and Oregon — that have enacted similar bans on these barbaric contests. This legislation does not target lawful hunting practices but instead prohibits contests where the goal is the highest body count, fostering cruelty instead of conservation.

By supporting HB 2900, you can help ensure that Illinois adopts responsible and ethical management practices while putting an end to the unnecessary suffering and destruction of our state’s wild animals. This bill represents a crucial step toward valuing the intrinsic worth of animals, who play a key role in maintaining the health of ecosystems.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you will stand with us in supporting HB 2900 and work toward making Illinois a leader in compassionate and responsible wildlife practices.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.