Death threats track coyote hunt

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) - Backlash over a controversial coyote hunt is building as opponents launch an online petition , and the owners of the gun store hosting the event say they're even getting death threats.

They also say they're not backing down.

The online petition against Gunhawk Firearm's weekend coyote hunt has been posted for less than a day and already has nearly 7,000 signatures.

On Friday the owner of the Los Lunas shop, Mark Chavez, announced their own coyote hunt picking up where Albuquerque's Calibers Gun Store left off.  The metro store canceled their hunt after thousands of people spoke out.

Now the same thing is happening with Gunhawk's hunt, and some people are howling mad.

Comments on the petition and store's Facebook page range from support to death threats.

"Some of them are perverse, some of them wanting to line up all the rednecks and hunt them, some of them wanting to kill us that we should be dead telling us to burn in hell," said store employee Josh Waters.

Most of the people who signed the petition don't live in New Mexico, and some of them are even from overseas.

One person wrote, "Give me a gun and I will join in the hunt. The stupid savage human who thinks this is still acceptable."

Another added, "How about a hunt on the guys who are killing they coyotes? I bet you wouldn't go for that! You will be judged before GOD."

Lastly one stated, "They are monsters! Putting a prize for anyone who kills the most Coyotes!? We must stop them!"

Chavez said he was even called a murderer Sunday morning.

He says reaction hasn't been all bad.

So far about 20 teams have signed up for the hunt, and he expects the number to grow to about 100. He also stated the director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers supports the hunt saying in 2010 more than 220,000 head of cattle were killed by predators like coyotes in the southwestern U.S.

"Even at a $1,000 apiece--that's a very low price--and that's millions of dollars," Waters said.

Gunhawk's says that is the main reason they're sponsoring the hunt is to protect the state's struggling agriculture industry.  As was evident at the shop Tuesday, customers don't seem to be shying away Gunhawk because of the hunt.

Activists say hunting coyotes doesn't help control populations, and that hunting for sport is unacceptable. People don't eat coyotes, but the shop hopes hunters will donate the pelts so they can be sold to raise scholarship money.

The hunt is statewide, but participants must register in person at Gunhawks. It runs November 17-18. Who ever kills the most coyotes wins.