For those who have not yet seen the story (Hope you’ve eaten lunch already):
Wildlife group takes aim at coyote contest
By SCOTT TAYLOR, Ottawa Sun
Last Updated: January 12, 2011 9:24am
OTTAWA – – A contest to kill coyotes might seem like fun to some, but a wily lawyer and three organizations are declaring open season on anyone who goes through with it.
The Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre (OCWC), Canadian chapter of Born Free USA, and Animal Alliance of Canada recite chapter and verse a section of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which states: ” … it is an offence to hunt for gain or to induce another person to hunt for gain.”
Offering prizes in upcoming contests Ñ including a first prize of a Mossberg 535 shotgun Ñ is illegal, they say, and they have a lawyer loaded for bear on the payroll.
“There is a clear admission on the part of the mInistry of natural resources that these coyote killing contests are illegal,” said OCWC president Donna Debreuil.
Animal Alliance director Liz White said the cold shoulder forced the organization to bring a hired gun of its own on board.
Lawyer Peter Copeland wrote to Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey recommending the contests, and not the coyotes, be killed.
This is the second year the Osgoode Township Fish, Game and Conservation Club has held the contest. A shotgun was awarded after a draw last year as well. Contestants’ names were entered in a draw every time they came through the door of The Old Co-Op in North Gower with a coyote carcass. The ministry has deemed the contest legal.