The NY Senate passed bill (S4099) earlier this year, and now bill (A2917) passed in the NY Assembly. Both bills will ban coyote hunting contests, which are popular in agriculture areas throughout New York State. 

The bill (A2917), as of this writing, is on NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk waiting to be signed. If the Governor signs it, it will be unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, conduct, promote or participate in any contest, competition, tournament, or derby with the objective of taking or hunting wildlife for prizes for other inducement, or for entertainment.

The bill is specifically targeted at coyote hunting contests that are usually fundraisers for organizations and to help control coyote populations. Language in the bill says that it does not include contests for hunting white-tailed deer, turkey, bear or fishing contests. 

The bill’s main sponsor was Deborah J. Glick, from District 66 in Manhattan.  She is currently the chairperson of the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee. 

Glick spoke on the Assembly’s floor, “I believe, based on the information provided by wildlife management experts and scientists, that this is an appropriate measure, and I therefore ask for a solid vote in support of banning these particular contests, which undermine people’s interest in ethical hunting.” 

Glick also noted that she had received opposition to coyote hunting contests from numerous upstate sources, not just her New York City constituents. 

She said, “There are organizations that are local organizations from upstate that have reached out. Organizations of hunters, farmers, ranchers and other individuals that have in fact, said that they find that the contests undermine the way in which people view hunting in general, and wish that the contests wouldn’t exist.” 

Upstate Assemblyman Matt Simpson said the bill is not going to accomplish anything in terms of coyote population management. 

He said, “It doesn’t change the hunting of coyotes, it’s going to continue. People are still going after them like they do, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But they’re all bent out of shape over a prize. How many of these hunts are going to happen just unofficially, guys getting together and having their own contest? It’s another nick in the armor on hunting.”

David Leibig, executive director of the NYS Trappers Association criticized the bill and its effect on fundraising and urged sportsmen to contact Governor Hochul in opposition to the bill.   

The coyote contest sponsored by the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County turned out to be their largest fundraiser that funded many Federation programs. It is a shame they will lose it.