Great news for foxes, coyotes, and raccoons in Maryland! A bill to ban killing contests targeting these animals was just passed by state legislators and signed into law to Gov. Larry Hogan. Now Maryland is the eighth state to ban wild animal killing contests.

During wild animal killing contests, participants compete to win cash and prizes for killing the most or the heaviest animals. Contestants use digital technology to mimic the sound of prey or young animals in distress and lure unsuspecting animals to their death. At events in Maryland like the “Moondog Madness Coyote Tournament” and “Good Ol’ Boys Fall Predator Tournament,” children played among the dead animals and even dragged their lifeless bodies around.

The vote comes a year after HSUS’ undercover investigation of statewide contests targeting foxes, coyotes and raccoons, which documented bullet-riddled red foxes whose bodies were tossed into the trash. The House of Delegates passed the wild animal killing contest ban bill by a landslide after watching this graphic footage from the investigation. 

Graphic footage: https://youtu.be/6vcWKlvAtDM 

Special thanks to our Maryland supporters who signed our alert to ban wild animal killing contests in their state. We also extend our gratitude to fellow members of the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests, HSUS Maryland state director Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Maryland Votes for Animals, and the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter.

We’re honored to be part of the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests, which has worked to ban many of these barbaric contests targeting various species in Vermont, New Mexico, Arizona, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, and Washington. The coalition has also helped to introduce similar legislation in New York, New Jersey, and Oregon.  

The success of legislation to ban wild animal killing contests shows that more Americans value the lives of our animal neighbors. However, we still have work to do since these horrific contests are held without restrictions in nearly 43 states. 

For those who reside in another state where wildlife contests still occur, please contact us to join our efforts or to request help.