A BILL AT THE ROUND HOUSE IN SANTA FE INTRODUCED BY LAS CRUCES STATE SENATOR JEFF STEINBORN WOULD PUT AN END TO NEW MEXICO’S COYOTE KILLING CONTESTS. HE SAYS THE LEGISLATION WOULD PENALIZE ANYONE ORGANIZING OR PARTICIPATING IN SUCH CONTESTS.
STEINBORN IS CO-SPONSORING THE BILL WITH ALBUQUERQUE SENATOR MARK MOORES. STEINBORN CALLS COYOTE KILLING IN THIS MANNER A “NICHE SPORT” AND A “THRILL KILL” THAT WOULD IMPOSE PENALTIES RANGING FROM PETTY MISDEMEANOR FOR PARTICIPANTS TO A MISDEMEANOR FOR THE ORGANIZER.
HE SAYS COYOTE KILLING CONTESTS TAKE PLACE ALL OVER NEW MEXICO WITH ABOUT 20 TO 30 OF THEM A YEAR. SENATE BILL 268 HAS PASSED OUT OF TWO SENATE COMMITTEES WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.
