Sign to Support Illinois Banning Wildlife Killing Contests

Wildlife killing contests are cruel, unsporting events where participants compete to kill the most animals—or the largest animals—for cash and prizes. These contests often target native wildlife like coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, with competitors sometimes returning with truckloads of dead animals after just a single event.

These contests have absolutely nothing to do with conservation,  ethical hunting, or responsible wildlife management. Instead, they encourage the indiscriminate killing of animals simply for entertainment and profit. Participants may shoot dozens—or even hundreds—of animals in a short period of time, and the bodies are often discarded or left to rot because the animals were never intended for food or other meaningful use. 

There is growing grassroots momentum to end these events and Illinois now has a chance to join other states in stopping this senseless practice. State legislation now under consideration (SB 3063) would prohibit wildlife killing contests that offer cash, prizes, or other incentives for killing animals. 

If lawmakers pass this bill, Illinois would become the 11th state in the nation to ban wildlife killing contests, joining states like California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington that have already taken action to end these events. 

Banning killing contests is about protecting wildlife and upholding the values of responsible conservation. Scientists and wildlife experts warn that indiscriminate mass killing can disrupt ecosystems and destabilize predator populations that help maintain ecological balance. 

These contests also pose a threat to non-target wildlife. When competitors rush to rack up the highest kill counts or largest "trophy," animals that were never intended targets can be injured or killed. That kind of reckless approach undermines science-based wildlife management and damages the reputation of ethical hunters who respect wildlife and the principles of fair chase.

A report from the University of Illinois Extension found that wildlife killing contests provide no ecological benefits. The majority of experts consulted for the report recommended discontinuing these contests in Illinois.

Across the country, momentum is growing to end this cruel bloodsport. Illinois lawmakers now have an opportunity to protect native wildlife, promote ethical stewardship, and ensure that animals are not slaughtered for prizes and bragging rights.

Wildlife belongs to all of us—not to those seeking trophies in a killing contest.

Please sign the petition and urge Illinois lawmakers to pass legislation banning wildlife killing contests and make Illinois the 11th state to end this cruel and unsporting practice.

The petition to Illinois legislators reads: Please support SB 3063 to put an end to wildlife killing contests in Illinois. These events encourage the mass killing of coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and other animals for cash and prizes, despite offering no proven ecological benefit. Illinois should join the growing number of states choosing humane, science-based wildlife management by banning these cruel contests.

Sources:

https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-03-09/illinois-could-be-the-11th-state-to-ban-wildlife-killing-contests

https://projectcoyote.org/media-release-illinois-moves-to-prohibit-wildlife-killing-for-cash-prizes/