Coyote hunting contest starts Saturday on the Cape

HYANNIS, Mass. — A controversial 'coyote hunt' opens this weekend on the Cape.

Powerhorn Outfitters is hosting its first-ever coyote contest. The Hyannis gun store is giving cash prizes to the hunter who brings back the largest coyote and the harvest with the most cumulative weight.

Hunters also get a raffle for each coyote brought in and they're entered into a grand prize drawing for a waterfowl hunting charter for two.

People are split on the contest.

Seems random. I feel like people don't hunt them that much," said Doug Mahan.

"They [coyotes] are killing everything. They are wiping out rabbit, squirrels, deer, pets," said Ed Pepyne.

Pepyne is not entering, but he says this coyote hunt might help control the population.

"If this encourages people to get out there and control the environment, get us back to a natural state then I'm not opposed to it," said Pepyne.

Louise Kane - who grew up in a commercial fishermen family and worked in it - plans to protest with others outside the gun store Saturday.

"I do not believe people should be killing animals for sport. It's really disturbing to see a killing contest and people are trying to pass that off as a legacy to be preserved or taught to their kids," said Kane.

The longtime Cape business told Boston 25 News:

"As a staple in the Cape's hunting, firearms, and fishing community for 40 years, Powderhorn Outfitters values the rights of nonhunters to express their views however, we proudly support outdoorsmen in upholding the tradition of hunting. We wish to thank our friends for their support and will continue to encourage hunting as it is an Integral part of human history. We promote hunting within the rules set forth by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and will continue to facilitate reporting and tagging as a Massachusetts official game check station."

In Massachusetts, environmental officials say hunting coyotes is perfectly legal, but there are strict rules and conditions.

An expert on coyotes says the animals naturally don't overpopulate areas because they space themselves out.

Cox Media Group