Conservationists ask court to block competitive wolf hunt

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Conservationists ask court to block competitive wolf hunt

BY LAURA ZUCKERMAN
SALMON, Idaho Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:07pm EST

(Reuters) - Conservation groups asked a federal judge on Monday to block an Idaho hunting competition targeting wolves and coyotes that is supported by many ranchers and sportsmen but that wildlife advocates have opposed as a "killing contest."

The so-called coyote and wolf derby is slated to take place this coming weekend near the mountain town of Salmon, mostly on national forest lands surrounding the eastern Idaho community.

Organizers are offering cash prizes and trophies to two-person teams competing to kill the largest wolf and the most female coyotes, as well as in various other event categories. A youth division welcomes children as young as 10 to enter.

Supporters have billed the tournament as a recreational form of wildlife management aimed at reducing the number of nuisance predators that threaten livestock and populations of elk and other big-game animals prized by hunters.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/24/us-usa-hunt-idaho-idUSBRE9BN00D20131224

[Tumbulu]

1. Oh goodness, this is so sick! And mind you a coyote killed 51 of my sheep last year!

So, I did what all good ranchers nowadays do, I got Livestock Guardian Dogs. And I changed the grazing patterns of my sheep, I am even considering buying a cow to put in with the sheep....

Since I got the dogs only 4 have been killed and they may have been killed by the neighbor's dogs.

This is totally sick and WRONG and I hope that the conservation group prevails.