PETITION TARGET: Illinois State Legislature
Under harsh floodlights on an Illinois evening, pickup trucks roll up to a weigh‑in station and unload their bounty — bodies of coyotes streaked with blood, some ripped apart by high‑powered rifle fire. As the lifeless animals are callously dumped on the blood-stained pavement, excited voices clamor to determine whose slaughtered carcass might win the day.
These cruel events — often called “wildlife killing contests” — incentivize participants to kill as many animals as possible in a set period of time for money or other prizes.
The list of victims includes coyotes, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and others, who become targets in competitions where the goal is body count, not conservation. Animals are mercilessly gunned down, with awards for killing the most, the heaviest — and even the smallest — animal.
In Illinois, Senate Bill 3063 would ban killing contests of fur‑bearing mammals, establishing certain exceptions, such as lawful hunting or trapping conducted outside of contest structures.
Killing contests promote indiscriminate slaughter and undermine respect for animals and responsible wildlife stewardship. Animals should not be killed for cash, prizes, or bragging rights — and Illinois must reject organized cruelty disguised as sport.
Sign this petition and urge Illinois legislators to end ruthless wildlife killing contests for good.
