It was expected, and now it’s official. NY Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the bill that will ban coyote contests in the state of New York that gives prizes to hunters who participate in them. 

The Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County has held very successful coyote contests for the past 17 years.

The coyote contest turned out to be the Federation’s largest fundraiser, that funded many Federation programs such as, stocking fish and pheasants throughout Sullivan County, sending Sullivan County children to DEC summer camp for a week, sponsored youth fishing contests, held a yearly Youth Day at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds for children and educated them about the many activities they could participate in the great outdoors. 

They also supplied the children with free hot dogs, soda and ice cream for lunch, and every child received a free t-shirt and cap. The Federation also gives yearly college scholarships to Sullivan County high-school graduates to further their education. And many donations are given to organizations for worthy causes.

The coyote contests also gave hunters the incentive to get out and hunt in the winter. The contest also helped to control an explosive coyote population that was causing problems. Coyotes hunt for food every day, and people who are raising livestock, chickens, ducks and etc. are in jeopardy.

Coyotes are also depleting our small game and are noted to take deer fawns and put down adult deer. And there is a fear of them attacking humans, especially small children.

One can thank the NY Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul for banning coyote contests in New York State.

The Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County will certainly miss this terrific fundraiser, and by the way, the Sullivan County Coyote Contest was the largest hunter participation contest in the state of New York. And I’m sure many hunters from Sullivan County and throughout the state will also miss it.  Unfortunately, the Federation will eventually have to downsize their programs because of the lack of this fundraiser.

Many New York hunters will be entering the Sullivan County coyote contest this coming February because it will be the last one.  Hunters are now considering entering this winter in some coyote contests in neighboring Pennsylvania where they are legal and very supportive by hunters and local communities.