Coyote-hunting tournament in NV protested

RENO (AP) - A coyote-hunting tournament set for this weekend around Fallon is drawing howls of protest from animal rights activists.

WildEarth Guardians based in Santa Fe, N.M., and Project Coyote based in Larkspur, Calif., are among groups opposing the event being organized by ranchers.

Wendy Keefover-Ring of WildEarth Guardians says coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, and such hunts are unethical because the bodies aren't used for food or anything else.

Organizer Matt McFarlane says he doesn't understand the fuss, noting similar tournaments have been held to help protect livestock elsewhere across the West for decades.

McFarlane says coyotes have killed several calves over the last three weeks at his family's ranch near Fallon.