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The state Senate voted Friday to ban coyote-killing contests, a proposal with bipartisan backing that opponents said underscored the gulf between rural and urban New Mexico.

The legislation, which would make it a misdemeanor to organize or take part in coyote-killing contests, passed 27-13 and headed to the House.

Similar legislation was rejected in the House two years ago.

There has been renewed focus on the issue since the grisly discovery recently of nearly 40 coyote carcasses dumped in the desert outside Las Cruces.

The recent discovery of carcasses near Las Cruces rekindled debate over coyote-killing contests. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)

Its really not the kind of image we want our state to have, said Sen. Mark Moores, an Albuquerque Republican sponsoring Senate Bill 253.

He said the contests amount to blood sports killing things for the sake of killing things.

Typically, he said, they are organized by gun shops and award prizes to those who can kill the most coyotes in a set time period.

Making them illegal would deter gun shop owners from organizing the contests, because theyre diligent about following the law, he said.

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Updated: Senate passes bipartisan bill to ban coyote-killing contests