Opinion: Proposition 127 banning mountain lion hunting ignores Colorado’s successful conservation through regulated hunting

mountain lion or cougar concolorembodies the spirit of the wild Rocky Mountains and the Colorado outdoors. It has become an iconic symbol that many outdoor men and women look to as a reminder that Colorado is still a wild and majestic place. in accordance with the North American Wildlife Conservation ModelMountain lions are held in public trust and for the benefit of all.

By the early 1960s, the number of mountain lions in Colorado had dropped to 100. estimated 124 before the establishment of a regulated hunt. This classified mountain lions as a large prey species, allowing wildlife managers to closely monitor and, more importantly, regulate their harvests. New hunting regulations introduced quotas, bag limits and restrictions on hunting females with kittens.

Thanks to the controlled hunting efforts of mountain lion hunters and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff, today Colorado has a healthy population About 3,800 to 4,400, excluding kittens.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, the introduction of this controlled hunt of mountain lions saved this magnificent species from near extinction in Colorado. It’s a success story that owes much of the credit to the mountain lion hunters whose efforts and resources allowed this controlled hunt to occur and thus mountain lions to thrive.

But now, their culture is being attacked by mountain lion hunters (the people who helped save these animals from the brink of extinction) and they are under threat. Proposal 127Define and prohibit trophy hunting as the intentional killing, injuring, pursuing, or trapping of a mountain lion, bobcat, or bobcat; or discharging or releasing any deadly weapon at a mountain lion, bobcat, or bobcat.

There are several problems with this phrase “trophy hunting,” which implies that there are hunters who kill mountain lions for the sole purpose of keeping them as “trophy.” But this ignores the long history of lion hunting to harvest incredible game meat for human consumption.

Under a pillar of the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation, “wildlife shall be taken by legal and ethical means and in the spirit of ‘fair chase’ and for good cause.” Hunting mountain lions as a “trophy” has always been illegal, and lion hunters are required by law to Title 33 CRS) preparing lion meat for human consumption; hunters and trappers are also required to offer the heads and skins of lions and lynxes. mandatory checks.

By using the term “gaze hunting,” mountain lion hunters are unfairly compared to illegal poachers and exotic big game hunters in places like Africa. In reality, mountain lion hunters engage in a highly regulated, legal and ethical practice that fosters a truly deep and interconnected understanding and appreciation of these magnificent animals.

I would like to acknowledge that mountain lion hunting can be a disturbing sight for humans, especially when hunters use hounds to track down a lion. Hunting dogs are used to help hunters determine the sex of a lion; This is important because it is forbidden to kill a lioness with a kitten.

However, banning the hunting of mountain lions under Article 127 does not actually stop the killing of mountain lions. When California passed a similar measure (Proposal 117) in 1990, Mountain lion deaths quadruple due to government-issued depredation permits It allows landowners to kill lions that prey on livestock. If Colorado passes this ban, Colorado Parks and Wildlife More than $2 million lost in hunting-related income for five years and $450,000 annually thereafter. This is due to lost revenue from hunting license and related equipment taxes paid by mountain lion hunters each year.

Moreover, Proposition 127, combined with the recent reintroduction of wolves, could further exacerbate Colorado’s wildlife management challenges. A mountain lion in Colorado We kill about 50 deer-sized animals every yearAnd Hunters harvest about 500 lions a year. Without regulated hunting, it could result in the killing of another 25,000 wildlife, excluding wolves. Even if only 1% of them are cattle, Colorado parks and wildlife $3.75 million in livestock reimbursements. With two apex predators and reduced revenue from hunting license sales, Colorado Parks and Wildlife may soon face a budget shortfall due to depredation. payments depend on these funds -Funds that will shrink under Proposition 127.

Proposition 127 tries to solve a problem that doesn’t exist, and in doing so, creates new problems.

No matter where you stand on this issue, we can all unite in the love and majesty of these magnificent creatures. Mountain lions have been successful in Colorado and should continue to do so.

The hard work and sacrifice of mountain lion hunters brought this magnificent species back from the brink of extinction in the 1960s. Let us honor their efforts by voting “no” on Proposition 127.

John Henry Wilson lives in Lakewood and is a fourth-generation Coloradan with a passion for wildlife, mountain climbing, elk hunting and the great Colorado outdoors.

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Story Type: Opinion