LETTER – Wildlife killing contests must come to an end in B.C.

OPEN LETTER BY COALITION ASKING BC GOVERNMENT TO END THREE ‘WILDLIFE KILLING CONTESTS’

March 10, 2019

We, the undersigned coalition of 54 environmental and animal welfare organizations, conservationists and wildlife-based businesses respectfully ask that the government of British Columbia URGENTLYend all current ‘wildlife killing’ contests and modernize regulations to prohibit such ‘contests’ from being held in future.

Our coalition recently learned of three ‘wildlife killing’ contests.  The ‘Predator Tournament’ organized by the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club runs from March 16 to the 24th, 2019 and Chilcotin Gun Store in Williams Lake advertizes the ‘Wolf-Whacking’ contest that began Dec 1, 2018 and runs until March 31, 2019. Also, there is a ‘bounty of $500 being offered to members of The West Kootenay Outdoorsmen for each wolf killed. Club members can keep the pelts which are stated to be worth as much as $200 each. (see attached Ads)

Is it this government’s intention to allow these wildlife killing contests to proceed while most B.C. residents and visitors are sickened by such senseless killing as evidenced by the overwhelming support to ban the grizzly bear trophy hunt and the mounting opposition to B.C.’s wolf culls?

It is outrageous enough that the province sponsors cruel and senseless wolf culls, costing approximately $2M and conducted by sharp shooters out of helicopters, and allows unlimited wolf hunting/trapping under the guise of “saving endangered caribou and bighorn sheep.”  But to allow or ignore these ‘bloodlust’ contests’ that rank alongside illegal and barbaric dog and cock fighting, goes beyond the pale.

Our Coalition against ‘Wildlife Killing Contests’ urges the government of British Columbia to immediately put a STOP to these ‘killing contests’ and modernize hunting regulations to make such abhorrent contests illegal in the future.

We look forward to a timely response to our coalition’s concerns as the lives of British Columbia’s wildlife are at stake!

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Since March 13- 63 Signatories

Note:  Letter sent to Minister Donaldson, Premier Horgan, various Ministers, the Green Party, Leader of the BC Liberals and various MP’s from B.C.