Controversial coyote hunt begins

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) - The controversial coyote killing competition got under Saturday across the state.

"We really didn't know what to expect cause we've had pretty extremes on both sides but so far its been kind of a normal day maybe even a little bit of a slow day," said Gunhawk employee Rick Gross.

Gunhawk Firearms of Los Lunas decided to sponsor the competition after Caliber's backed out.

They say the goal of the coyote hunt is to help ranchers, farmers and private land owners manage the coyote population on their property.

"By no means are we trying to slaughter a species or anything like that," said Gross.

From online petitions to protests, the days and weeks leading up to Saturday's hunt have been full of controversy.

"It got much much crazier than we ever expected and its very extreme how people feel one side, one way or the other," Gross said.

Gross also told KRQE News 13 he's not sure if the store will undertake a hunt like this in the future but if they do it will require a lot more discussion.

The hunt is comprised of 52 teams most teams are made up of two hunters.

Gunhawk's said they will tally the number of coyotes killed tomorrow evening and determine the winner then.