Coyote hunt continues to draw controversy

This week hunters across New Mexico will open fire on coyotes. It's all part of a contest -- the Third Annual Great Coyote Hunt -- that has animal rights activists outraged and pushing for legislation to make these types of events illegal. "They shoot as many coyotes as they can so it's purely a numbers game for material profit or financial profit," said Phil Carter, with Animal Protection of New Mexico. “We cannot allow our state to be so definitely associated with these thrill-killing contests that just celebrate death and destruction of animals.” Larry's Gun Shop in Roswell is putting on the contest. Contestants pay $300 for a two-person team. Other than not killing in city limits, there are few restrictions. Whoever kills the most coyotes wins an assault rifle for each team member. Event organizers disagree with the activists. "(It’s) not inhumane at all. These are a nuisance," said Colby Griffin, a manager at Larry's Gun Shop. The gun shop argues that thousands of coyotes cause problems for ranchers and dairy farmers. They said they are just helping out and giving a prize just encourages people to participate in the hunt. Animal activists are taking their fight to Santa Fe’s Roundhouse. They are drafting up a bill for the 2015 legislative session to outright ban hunting contests and make it a misdemeanor crime...more