Dear Petition Supporters, We just made history for California's wildlife! After a long and hard fought battle, on December 3rd, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 4 to 1 (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/california-coyote-killing-contests-face-ban-27338533) in favor of a rule that closes the loopholes permitting wildlife-killing contests. Read more here: http://www.projectcoyote.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PC-Media-Release.pdf. The Commission received tens of thousands of letters in support of our petition calling for a ban on this cruel practice that awards cash and prizes to those who kill the most coyotes, foxes, bobcats and other wild animals. You helped make this possible. Many of you who live in California traveled a long distance to give impassioned, effective testimony. The Commissioners listened. (http://vimeo.com/97500014.) THANK YOU. As someone who has been pressing for wildlife management reform for over 20 years, I can say without a doubt that we are witnessing a paradigm shift in California. For the first time, our voices outnumbered those who view predators as vermin to be killed for fun and prizes. And our voices are being heard. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oHo9zJb5OQ&list=UUkym5skT4cdkk_wPY9GmKCw.) In addition, for the first time, ethics are taking center stage: "Awarding prizes for wildlife killing contests is both unethical and inconsistent with our current understanding of natural systems,” stated Michael Sutton, President of the California Fish & Game Commission. “Such contests are an anachronism and have no place in modern wildlife management.” As several of the Commissioners said: this is just the beginning of predator management reform in Calfornia. We have a long way to go but today’s victory is the first step. And a big step. This historic vote paves the way for the rest of the nation to follow California's lead. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooajn537lPY&list=UUkym5skT4cdkk_wPY9GmKCw.) We are already strategizing on ways to emulate this victory in other states. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to join our e-team ( http://oi.vresp.com/?fid=4373556d30) and to follow us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ProjectCoyote) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/ProjectCoyote) as another way of staying informed about our work. Please consider becoming a Project Coyote supporter: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=4f8db8. As a lean non-profit organization with a small staff and budget, Project Coyote depends entirely on the generosity of individuals and foundations to continue our work on behalf of wildlife. Thank you, again, for acknowledging the importance of a statewide ban on wildlife killing contests by taking action. Your partnership is invaluable and greatly appreciated. Together we are shifting the paradigm from cruelty and killing to respect and coexistence in California and beyond. Thank you for your support, Camilla Fox Project Coyote Founder and Executive Director P.S.- Read our news release here (http://www.projectcoyote.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PC-Media-Release.pdf) and check out this news coverage that has reached international media channels! "California wildlife managers ban prizes for competitive hunts" ~ Reuters: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2859688/California-wildlife-managers-ban-prizes-competitive-hunts.html "California bans coyote hunts that offer prizes"~ Associated Press: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/california-coyote-killing-contests-face-ban-27338533 "California Bans Coyote Killing Contests"~ NPR, Morning Edition: http://www.npr.org/2014/12/04/368408213/california-bans-coyote-killing-contests "California Becomes First State to Ban Wildlife Killing Contests" ~The Dodo: https://www.thedodo.com/california-ban-hunting-contest-857764555.html?utm_source=The+Dodo+Newsletter&utm_campaign=27f4c68879-12_3_2014_NL&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4342b46fc5-27f4c68879-111450961 "California Bans Wildlife Killing Contests" ~SF Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/California-bans-wildlife-killing-contests-5936309.php#photo-7221480 "California First State to Ban WIldlife Killing Contests, Activists Say" ~Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/california-wildlife-killing-contest-ban_n_6278024.html?utm_hp_ref=green