BOISE – An Idaho outfitter is organizing a post-Christmas contest where two-person teams of hunters will be awarded $2,000 in cash prizes and trophies for shooting wolves and coyotes, angering animal advocates who brand it as a “wolf slaughter.” Shane McAfee, who guides clients on hunts around Salmon, Idaho, downplays the bloodlust angle of this hunting derby, which encourages kids to participate. He expects relatively few predators to be shot during the Dec. 28-29 event.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Just like most games of the Stanley Cup Final so far, the city council here is headed to overtime to see whether it can reach a deal to keep the Phoenix Coyotes. But the fact that talks will now continue beyond Friday – which one local columnist had described as “D-Day” for the future of the Coyotes – could signal a blow to Seattle’s hopes the club might relocate there.

PHOENIX – A person familiar with the negotiations says a “framework” is in place for a lease agreement that would keep the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona. But while the person characterized the developments as positive, the Glendale City Council still must study the proposal and vote on it. The next council meeting is set for June 25 and the NHL Board of Governors meets two days later.

SEATTLE – Snagging the troubled Phoenix Coyotes hockey franchise for Seattle won’t be the empty-net goal some have suggested. A deal to keep the Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz., fell apart last week when prospective buyer Greg Jamison failed to secure financing in time to meet a Jan. 31 deadline. Jamison has vowed to continue pursuit of the franchise, but is expected to meet considerable opposition from a newly elected Glendale mayor and town council that has already spoken out against the favorable conditions attached to the previous deal.

Coyotes defending their pups on the bluff below High Drive last week – sending a few dogs to the vet for stitches – created a minor stink on the South Hill. The discussions emerged after The Spokesman-Review ran a couple of stories on the coyote attacks and discovery of the den near a popular trail. Part of the discussion coming my way via email, Facebook and blog posts focused on whether coyotes should be shunned or welcomed in the city.

A trio of aggressive coyotes took on two dogs running loose with their owner on the South Hill bluff trails Thursday, sending one dog to the vet for a chest full of stitches. Arch Harrison said one of the two dogs he was exercising – Sarah – was attacked by three coyotes while they were walking on the popular bluff trails below High Drive and Manito Boulevard and just above the Creek at Qualchan Golf Course.