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Planned Southern NM Coyote Hunt Draws Fire

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A planned hunt featuring the calling and shooting of coyotes in southern New Mexico is drawing fire.

The Southwest Environmental Center asked this week for the Dona Ana County Commission and Las Cruces City Council to speak out against the planned event scheduled for Feb. 6-8.

The hunt will coincide with a convention sponsored by the Utah-based group Predator Masters at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.

Jeff Mock, president of Predator Masters, told the Las Cruces Sun-News that no prizes will be awarded for the hunt and the hunters are free to hunt coyotes in New Mexico since the animals are not protected.

Animal and wildlife advocates say they are planning a protest of the convention.