On any given weekend, some of America’s most iconic wild animals are massacred in wildlife killing contests. Bloodied bodies are weighed and stacked like cords of wood, and prizes are awarded to the “hunters” who kill the largest or the most of a targeted species. Coyotes, bobcats, wolves and foxes are common victims of these contests; children as young as 10 are encouraged to participate. Fueled by anti-predator bias, these legally sanctioned but relatively unknown contests are cruel and foster ignorance about the critical role apex predators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. These contests occur on both public and private lands in almost every state except California — where killing predators for prizes has been outlawed. In this groundbreaking exposé, actor and conservationist Peter Coyote — with environmentalists, ranchers, public officials and Native Americans — brings these shadowy contests to light and speaks out against this hidden war on wildlife. Project Coyote’s Killing Games inspires viewers to call on their state and local legislators to bring an end to these brutal contests where wild animals become living targets.

 

Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs

2019 US 30 min
Festival Year: 2020
Types: Documentary, Short
Topic: Animal Rights, Conservation, Wildlife