These aren’t the urban coyotes killing family pets.
A coyote killing contest, held over the weekend in northcentral Montana and sponsored by a local American Legion chapter, is being attacked by critics for insulting patriotism and disregarding life.
Organizers aren’t standing down, strongly defending the coyote derby as a way to protect the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers from the wily and abundant predators while at the same time raising money for worthy causes.
The Big Sandy American Legion conducted its second annual Coyote Derby from Friday through Sunday.
It drew 146 hunters who killed 191 coyotes.
Teams of hunters in two classes spanned across northcentral Montana hunting on private land, said Lindsay Boyce, a member of the local Legion post who helped organize the derby.
She ranches 40 miles outside of Big Sandy.
“Local ranchers have had a severe problem with coyotes, and calving season is coming up,” said Boyce, explaining the purpose and timing of the contest. “So we put together this contest to help farmers and ranchers, as well as a fundraiser.”
Farmers and ranchers opened up property to the hunters during the three-day hunt, she said.
“Without the local farmers and ranchers, we have no derby,” she said.
This year, $8,000 was raised for the Big Sandy American Legion Post 50, up from $4,500 raised in the first coyote derby in 2017, Boyce said.
KC York of Hamilton, who runs Trap Free Montana Public Lands and Trap Free Montana, calls it blood money, and the killing contest an insult to patriotism.
She contacted state and national America Legion officials and asked them to put a stop to the contest. They refused.
“My ancestors are rolling over in their grave,” said York, a military brat whose grandfather and father served in the military as well as her children.
York personally finds killing for competition and prizes appalling, noting that calls mimicking pup and prey distress calls are used in some instances.
Coyotes serve an important role in the ecosystem by feeding on rodents, York adds.
As a strong believer in the military, York said, the involvement of the American Legion bothers her, arguing the killing derby sets a bad example for kids and also harms the image of a state where wildlife is a big attraction.