Most Michiganians would be appalled to learn that wildlife killing contests not only occur in the state but are perfectly legal. These events pit participants against innocent animals, usually coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and raccoons, with prizes awarded for the most or largest kills. This barbaric practice is not only cruel, but also counterproductive to sound wildlife management.

Science has unequivocally proven that randomly killing predators like coyotes does not effectively control their populations nor does it increase the number of prey species, such as deer. In fact, indiscriminate killing can exacerbate problems by disrupting pack structures and leading to increased conflicts with humans. Hunting has a storied history in Michigan but make no mistake about it: wildlife killing contests serve no purpose other than to kill as many animals as possible and are contrary to all hunting ethics. The dead animals aren’t used for meat nor is their fur harvested; instead, their bodies are left to rot.

Wildlife killing contests have been documented in Michigan since at least 2003, and disturbingly, events are already being planned for 2025. Resolutions in opposition to wildlife killing contests were adopted by both the Kalamazoo and Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in 2021, and now it’s time for the state of Michigan to enact a comprehensive ban.

It’s time to end the senseless slaughter of wildlife for fun and games in Michigan and embrace a more humane approach to coexisting with our wild neighbors.

Thad Dickinson,
Berkley

71 days to the election! And I’ve never been so fired up about a Presidential and VPs the likes of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

I had the opportunity (Aug. 7) to attend the Harris/Walz rally along with 18,000 other individuals in an airhanger overlooking Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal. The sun was beating down but the slight breeze ushered in winds of change. This rally was the cherry on top of 2 weeks of advocacy – coming home from long days at work in the automotive industry only to join 2-3 hour Zoom calls with my husband after the kids went to bed – including White Women for Harris, Veteran Families for Harris, and White Dudes for Harris – which collectively raked in over $4 Million dollars into the estimated over $300 Million they’ve brought into the campaign since Joe Biden announced he was stepping aside to let Kamala Harris shine.

We stood shoulder to shoulder for hours and listened to almost every significant Democratic leader from the State of Michigan speak at the rally, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, House of Representatives Hillary Scholten, Debbie Dingle, Elissa Slotkin, Shri Thanedar, and Haley Stevens, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Governor (Big) Gretchen Whitmer. Their messages were peppered with inspirational one liners, humor, some cuss words (Gretch), but overall message of unity. They highlighted their misalignment with the opposition with facts on policy and change instead of hate and derision – even when small groups tried to gain momentum with chants of “Lock Him Up” they quickly waned in favor of “VOTE!”

Most of us stood there for hours, tirelessly shifting in our place amongst fellow like minded thinkers waiting for a glimpse of history in the making. Then Tim Walz took the stage to much fanfare as America’s Dad. A man who’s evolution from farmer to Governor is what the American Dream is made of. As a former Republican myself, he is the moderate we’ve been searching for – military background and pro-Gun (with smart gun laws) – he used his state’s surplus of tax revenue to invest in education and free breakfast and lunches for all school age children. He’s a candidate whose policies we could (and should) all get behind. He’s an example of not only how we can do better but we can be better. And he’s pivoted the narrative of the traditional Democratic ticket.

We all sat eagerly holding onto every word of their message. At the end of the day I came home with layers of sweat, a bad back, sore feet but a full heart and a feeling of optimism for America’s future. I’ll tell my kids about this experience as it was one for the books as we continue to fight for our democracy, for our voice, for our votes. As we came back into the bright sunshine of the tarmac at the end of the rally, we were bid farewell by the sun setting behind Air Force Two, a physical symbol of democracy.

Theresa Osbourn, Rochester Hills