NM ‘predator’ hunting convention to draw protest

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Animal right activists are planning to protest a hunting convention in Las Cruces following outrage over an unrelated coyote hunting contest last year.

The group Animal Protection of New Mexico said they will protest Saturday the “2013 Predator Masters Annual Hunt & Convention” at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Southwest Environmental Center director Kevin Bixby told the Las Cruces Sun-News that (http://bit.ly/XCKTJS) he doesn’t see a distinction between the convention and any wildlife killing contests. Bixby, who is organizing the protest, called such hunting contests “morally reprehensible.”

But Predator Masters executive director Jeff Mock says his nonprofit organization is not having an organized hunt nor are they hold a contest. He says the event is just a convention.