The state-wide contest to win a prize for killing coyotes in Georgia

The Georgia Coyote Challenge from the state’s Department of Natural Resources encourages people to kill the animals. Officials say the contest is intended to remind the public that coyotes may be hunted year-round.

BECCA J.G. GODWIN: ‘A statewide challenge to kill coyotes has returned for a second year, despite criticism from animal advocates who say the contest is inhumane. The “Georgia Coyote Challenge” from the state’s Department of Natural Resources encourages people to kill the animals from March to August for a chance to win a lifetime hunting license. During the 2017 challenge period, 83 hunters turned in a total of 195 coyotes, a spokeswoman said Friday. Officials say the contest is intended to remind the public that coyotes may be hunted year-round.

Animal advocate groups such as national nonprofit Project Coyote balked when the challenge was introduced, and it’s no different this time around. The Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort said… “This killing contest is not only inhumane, but incredibly ineffective”… Participants may submit photos of up to 10 dead coyotes during three drawing periods. Coyotes must be captured in Georgia to be eligible; metadata will be analyzed to determine the date and location of the provided images. The sponsor of the prize for the first drawing is Ace Hardware of Social Circle in Walton County’. SOURCE…