Conclusion  

     I have learned throughout my research that the mindset of certain people will never change.  Although we are more civilized then we were 150 years ago, there will always be those who feel they need to take matters into their own hands.  The government can make laws to stop these Hunting Contests, but someone will always try and sneak through the cracks, making excuses for their actions.

     I have not found the answer to my main question; why do these events take place?  Everyone has their own side to the story and it seems most of these people’s opinions will not change.  Killing animals is in the heart of far too many people.  No living thing should have to die to fill the pockets of those who killed them.  I will continue to wonder why these hunters feel the need to carry on these events and just how far they will go in the future.  Once a species is extinct, will the eyes of the hunters open or will they just move on to the next target?  Why can’t we learn from our past mistakes when people slaughtered large amounts of animal species?  Are we able to make advancements in technology, but not find a more ethical and humane way to deal with “problem” animal species?

     Now that I have had the opportunity to learn more about this topic, more questions come to mind.  When will departments of the government, who claim to be concerned about wildlife, become leaders, rather than feeling compelled to listen to the heartless opinions of these hunters?  How will the government fix their mistakes of allowing hunters to diminish the population of these species once the species become endangered?  Do these government officials and hunters have any clue what they are doing to the ecosystem when they are attempting to eradicate a species?

     It saddens me to think of a future without these beautiful creatures.  They may seem dangerous, they may be dangerous, but so are humans.  What does that say for our future?

                

     

http://www.ffc.org

Mako Sharks

     In 2001, a friend and I took a long road trip to one of my favorite states, California.  I had just graduated, bought a new car and couldn’t think of a better way to start the summer; in the California sun.  His family friend lived in Marina Del Rey and we were told that he had planned a special boat trip for us the first day we were there.  Unfortunately, it took about 10 minutes on the water for me to realize I apparently suffered from sea sickness.  Talk about a beautiful way to start a trip.

         

     After emerging from the cabin about an hour later, I was filled in on the trip details.  This wasn’t just a regular fishing trip; we were also out on the water to capture a Mako Shark.  Turns out, this was the time of year for the “Mako for Dollars Tournament”.  Lucky me!  Just when I thought the trip couldn’t get anymore terrifying, I found out that the main tools for this kind of capture were gaffs and a pistol; I was given the pistol.  A gaff is a long pole with a large hook attached to the end.  The gaff is inserted into the shark's gills, while the shark is still in the water, then pulled up through the top of the head.  A pistol is used as a last resort in case gaffing didn't do the trick.

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    The Mako shark has a long, plump body and their average body is length is approximately 13 feet.  They are one of the largest and fastest shark species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  Makos are considered extremely dangerous and fishermen are advised to use caution because these fish will not hesitate to attack a person or a boat (California Fish and Wildlife).  Author Brian Handwerk states in a NatGeo article that "Each year there are about 50 to 70 confirmed shark attacks and 5 to 15 shark-attack fatalities around the world".

     Makos have been linked to numerous fatal and nonfatal attacks on humans.  With their aggressive behavior, immense speed and strength, they are considered a tremendous trophy for fishermen.  An impending attack is signaled by the Mako swimming in a figure eight pattern, while swimming, mouth open, towards their prey. The demand for the Makos flesh and their fins has decreased their population and with the added number of those getting caught in the nets of industrial fishermen, there is fear of the Mako becoming endangered (Marinebio).  There are only a few government regulations when it comes to Mako fishing and these only come into place when they feel the Makos are being over-fished.  Brian Handwerk with NatGeo also stated in his article that "Between 20 and 100 million sharks die each year due to fishing activity, according to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File".  Sounds like over-fishing to me!

     Since Makos are considered a trophy game fish, the tournaments offering cash prizes for the largest Mako captured can have a extremely large turn out.  The thrill of the hunt and potential cash in their pockets brings participants from all around.  But this isn't ordinary fishing; it is brutal and unethical.  How can one take pleasure in gaffing a shark?  This method is used with every fisherman who is experienced in shark fishing, yet it isn't always effective.  When gaffing doesn't kill the shark, the use of the pistol comes in because pulling a live shark on your boat is obviously far too dangerous.

     Many people will argue that this is a needed event because of how dangerous these fish are.  I can agree with their reasoning a bit, since sharks have been lead to violent human deaths, but the real question for me is why are these fisherman so brutal when it comes to finishing the job?  With this brutality, how are they any better then the shark?  The ocean is gigantic and we probably haven't even made a dent in our oceanic discoveries.  How would we handle new animal species that are much larger and more threatening then the Makos?

shark club

Warning: I picked pictures that are not too graphic, but they may be unsettling.

Oregon

Wolf and Coyote Contests

            

     For this next blog, I would like to discuss two other animals that are killed in these contests, Wolves and Coyotes.  If any of you have spoken to ranchers, you probably have heard about a common problem they face daily; their animals are being attacked and/or killed by wolves and coyotes.  I don’t know of any rancher who does not have some sort of a weapon in their possession to try to take care of this seemingly endless problem.  This is an understandable stress from ranchers, since their source of income is in jeopardy daily.  But where is the line drawn from protecting livestock to the mass killing of these creatures just because they are in range of your rifle?

Wolf Management

According to the National Park Service Yellowstone, "there were 95 wolves counted in the park, 34 in the northern range, and 61 in the interior as of December 2013".

     In Salmon, Idaho, an organization known as Idaho for Wildlife, holds a contest at the beginning of the year called Idaho For Wildlife's Predator Hunting Contest and Fur Rendezvous.  This event no longer has an entry fee, but as stated by coyote contest, they award a $1,000 prize for two separate categories: most wolves and most coyotes. Plus, since your'e never too young to shoot something, children as young as 10 years old are encouraged to participate in this "family event".

This is a video from the above contest that took place in January 2014, their first "killing derby".  It shows how the coyotes are weighed and how cash prizes and trophy winners are determined.  That year no wolves were found and shot.  Though it is not too graphic, please don't watch if it might be too much for you.

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     A contest I found to be more unsettling then any I have read about takes place in San Angelo, Texas.  This contest is called the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest, but the name doesn't say it all.  Although the grand prize winner is determined by whoever shoots and brings back the biggest bobcat, they have one major rule.  According to coyote contest bobcat, in order for a participant to be in the running for the grand prize, they must also shoot "either 5 Grey Fox or 5 Coyotes (NO MIXING OF THE TWO!)".  They have a team entry fee of $200 which all pays into the grand prize and 3 jackpots.  The DFW Wildlife Coalition states that "bobcats do not attack people. In fact, bobcat attacks are virtually unknown".  According to numerous government sites, the bobcat population is somewhat of a question mark, probably because they are so introverted.  So why do the people in San Angelo feel the need to kill them?  And what is their rationality for killing the extra 5 animals?

Virginia

   

     According to the Humane Society of the US, "approximately 5,000 gray wolves are thought to remain in the lower 48 states" and they have been taken off the endangered list. These hunters seem to think they are doing the world a favor by eliminating these "beasts" but as Warren Cornwall points out in an article on wolves from NatGeo, "when more mature adults were killed, less seasoned adolescents move in and are more likely to prey on cows and sheep".  Wolves main food sources are ungulates, so when the mature adults are killed and unable to teach their young to hunt, the juveniles may turn to the easier prey; livestock and other domestic animals.

     Washington Fish and Game announced that "In the past 60 years, there have been two wolf-caused human fatalities in North America (Canada and Alaska)", and that wolf attacks on domestic dogs have been because "Wolves view dogs as competitors or territorial intruders".  Several states, such as Washington with House Bill 1258, are attempting to find ways to relocate the wolves into more "wolf popular" areas.  The coyote population still seems to be flourishing even with these events to eradicate the species. 

     So are these events really about helping control the animal population or we stuck in this mindset that we still have to prove we are the bigger, badder species?  This isn't just about saving the livestock.

Pigeon Shooting

     Most people are familiar with Skeet Shooting.  This sport involves a clay disc that is flung into the air using a machine somewhat similar to a slingshot.  Now imagine the clay pigeons being replaced with live pigeons that are launched into the air one at a time and either shot dead or left wounded to die a slow death.  This is a reality in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, the “only place where this event is still legal” according to the Humane Society of the United States.  These pay-to-play events are by invitation only so the whereabouts are hidden from protesters.  The individuals who shoot the most pigeons are awarded cash or other prizes.
   
     The Humane Society of the United States fought to find supporters for Pennsylvania House Bill 1750, in hopes that this bill would stop the Live Pigeon Shooting events.  According to HB 1750 , the bill passed the Senate with a 36/12 vote status, yet it has not been brought to the House for a vote.  Senator Eichelberger from Pennsylvania, who voted against the bill, stated while in session:

      “Mr. President, we have heard a great concern for pigeons across our State and the humane treatment of said pigeons, but yet we know that pigeons are regarded in many places as a health hazard and problematic as they gather in cities and commercial buildings, farms, and places where they cause a lot of damage and create a lot of health concerns.”

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     Pigeons are a big problem with city dwellers.  Food and water seem to be easy to come by and the threat of predators is low.  They flock to window ledges and find every safe nook and cranny to build a nest to increase their population.  The USDA states that "The feral pigeon is an invasive species responsible for estimated damages totaling more than $1 billion annually. At least 70 human pathogens—including those that cause diseases such as Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcosis—are known to reside in feral pigeon populations."  Experts at the Saint Louis Zoo and the USDA recommend feeding pigeons OvoControl.  According to APHIS, OvoControl is " an oral contraceptive bait for use on resident or urban Canada goose and feral pigeon populations that reduces the hatch ability of eggs" There are more humane ways to deal with pigeons before they out number us. .

     We have grown as people in the last few centuries.  Our technology is astounding and we have overcome illnesses to where we live much longer then our ancestors.  Yet we still behave the same as those 150 years ago, who shot buffalo from a passing train just for grins.  When are we going to change?

     Thank you for reading!

Renae

     When people want to get a glimpse of some amazing wildlife, our first thought is to travel to the mountains.  But anymore, it seems the mountains are now coming into our cities and our farmlands. For my research assignment, I would like to dig deep into the reasoning behind the current plan to keep species from becoming a "nuisance" or becoming overpopulated in several states. I will be focusing mainly on the animals that are killed only for the thrill of it and not for human consumption.  

pinterest

     The sport and means for survival, hunting animals has now taken a different turn. With fears of species becoming overly populated to just wanting to go out and shoot stuff, sponsored events are now held to award a prize to those who can pile up the most animals. These contests are held all over the country, from California to New York.                             

    Baltimore

     Hunting contests are described as basically a means to an end..  The event leaders and the hunters both see these contests as a fun event and as a way to play God by eradicating certain “bothersome” species.  According to a pro predator contest site, pro hunt, the author, Joseph Von Benedikt, states that “Passionate predator hunters test their skills and attempt to augment their incomes, often traveling across state lines to compete.”

     States who allow these contests have their own regulations that contests participants must follow.  Nevada DOW, states that:                           

          Nevada has a very healthy population of coyotes statewide. Though many efforts have been made to reduce its numbers and even to eradicate it, the resilient coyote is as plentiful today as it ever has been. In Nevada coyotes are classified as "unprotected," meaning they are not protected by state law or regulation. While a hunting license or permit is not required to hunt unprotected mammals, including coyotes, every person who takes a coyote by trapping, or sells raw furs for profit shall procure a trapping license.

     California DFW states:    

                                                                                   

          The following non-game birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as fur-bearers, endangered or threatened species).

     Both states share the same unsympathetic view that coyotes need to be eradicated.  Despite the similarities, California allows hunters to go out everyday of the year to hunt these animals.  Both states seem to not require a hunting license, although Nevada does require a license to profit off of the animals carcass.  Another similarity between both states is they allow hunting of all unprotected animals.  Does this mean they have to cover their tracks once a certain animals population becomes threatened?

        

     Each participant needs to pay a fee varies from each different contest.  Whoever wins each category wins the prize associated with that category.  In most cases, more paying participants equal a bigger category cash prize. 

         

     In my blog I will be researching several different Wildlife Killing Contests and searching for answers as to why these events are held.  Some questions I will be looking for are:

1.What happens during these contests?

2. Where are they held and how is the government involved?

3. Is anything being done to end these contests or finding other methods?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Lets begin

I am very interested in seeing the conversations that can develop from this topic.