Louisiana’s wildlife deserves protection, not exploitation. Each year, hunting contests push hunters to the edge, rewarding them with prizes for killing the largest animals. As recent events show, these high-stakes contests don’t just harm animals—they encourage rule-breaking and unethical behavior.

In a recent case, an Arkansas hunter attempted to cheat his way into Louisiana’s Simmons Sporting Goods Big Buck Contest, entering a 15-point buck illegally killed at night in Arkansas¹. The hunter, Andrew Riels, entered this deer in a Louisiana contest for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree and a Can-Am 4-wheeler². The prizes, meant to attract hunters, only fueled his alleged misconduct. Riels’ story highlights the ethical concerns around hunting contests and raises a larger issue: the use of state resources to oversee and enforce hunting rules in contests that motivate illegal actions.

A Costly Problem

Hunting contests not only risk wildlife but also consume taxpayer funds that could be directed toward genuine conservation efforts. Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the agency responsible for conservation and enforcement, support these contests by allowing them to continue and licensing hunters who participate. Critics argue that using public funds for such purposes incentivizes risky behavior, leaving wildlife and Louisiana’s natural landscape vulnerable to exploitation. This raises a clear question: Are these contests serving any true purpose for Louisiana’s citizens, or are they creating a culture where animals become mere trophies?

When wildlife is seen as a means to win a prize, the incentive to break laws and push boundaries grows. Animal advocates have long argued that trophy-based competitions distort the true meaning of conservation, putting animals in harm’s way for human gain³. Such contests undermine the state’s responsibility to protect its natural resources.

Urgency for Change

Despite the clear negative impact, contests like these persist, with little regard for the broader harm. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has a choice: continue supporting programs that encourage this mindset, or take a stand to protect the wildlife it’s tasked to defend. Ending hunting contests would be a significant step toward restoring integrity to Louisiana’s wildlife management practices.

Wildlife advocates argue that redirecting funds toward ethical conservation programs would better serve Louisiana’s rich ecosystems and its people. We must prioritize conservation that respects life and sustains Louisiana’s natural habitats. This is no longer just an animal rights issue; it’s a call for accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.

Make Your Voice Heard

It’s time to take a stand for Louisiana’s wildlife. Your voice matters in this urgent issue. Help us ensure that our state resources go toward programs that genuinely protect animals and promote ethical conservation.

Sign the petition now to urge the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to end taxpayer-funded hunting contests and protect Louisiana’s wild spaces for future generations.

More on this issue:

1. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (7 November 2024), "LDWF Agents Cite Arkansas Man for Hunting Contest Fraud in Morehouse Parish."
2. KTAL/KMSS (7 November 2024), "Arkansas Hunter Cited After LDWF Learns He Entered Illegally Hunted Buck Into Contest."
3. Chron.com (7 November 2024), "Man Accused of Illegally Killing 15-Point Buck Then Entering It Into Louisiana Deer Hunting Contest."