In the December 3, 2014 edition of the online magazine Takepart, an article by Todd Woody reports that California has banned wildlife-killing contests.

Michael Sutton, president of the California Game commission, said, “Awarding prizes for wildlife-killing contests is both unethical and inconsistent with our current understanding of natural systems…Such contests are an anachronism and have no place in modern wildlife management.”

In a 4 to 1 vote, the California Fish and Game Commission voted for a rule that bans California wildlife from being killed in contests for rewards of prizes or money. Many such contests were being held, targeting wolves, coyotes, squirrels and other animals. Trophies may still be awarded legally for game animals like deer.

The Founder and Executive Director of Project Coyote, who testified at the Commission hearing today, welcomed the decision as a victory for wildlife, noting that “We should not be killing wildlife for fun and…