I am a resident of Spotsylvania, VA and an ardent believer in the protection of wildlife. The issue at hand is deeply personal to me as I firmly believe that animals should be protected and not hunted for sport by the privileged. It has come to my attention that an African Hunting Safari raffle is being organized in our town by Wilderness Run Vineyards and 1782 Brewing Company. This event promotes trophy hunting which contributes to animal population decline.

Trophy hunting has been scientifically proven to have detrimental effects on wildlife populations. According to a study published in Science Advances, it can lead to population declines of 17% on average (Science Advances, 2020). Moreover, it's not just about numbers; trophy hunting also disrupts animal social structures causing further harm.

Our town should not support activities that contribute directly or indirectly towards such harmful practices. Instead, we must stand up for ethical treatment of animals and promote conservation efforts.

Let us unite as responsible citizens of Spotsylvania and demand an end to this raffle promoting trophy hunting. We urge our local authorities to take immediate action against this event and any similar ones in the future.

Please sign this petition if you believe in protecting wildlife rather than exploiting them for recreational purposes.