Will Colorado Ban Mountain Lion, Bobcat Hunting?

Gather ’round as we embark on a journey deep into the heart of Colorado, where the battle for the future of hunting and wildlife management is fiercely blazing. Let me assure you, this isn’t just a local skirmish — it’s a tectonic shift that could send seismic waves across America.

What’s all the fuss about? Well, it’s about whether the traditional role of state fish and wildlife agencies is on the brink of extinction at the hands of the stealthy strategy known as “ballot box biology.” Instead of deferring to the recommendations of wildlife-management professionals, animal rights extremists are wielding a new weapon: the referendum process.

You might ask, “What’s wrong with letting the people decide?” Here’s the problem: these ballot initiatives are typically backed by extreme, anti-hunting groups with deep pockets and grand agendas. And they are counting on carefully orchestrated public-relations campaigns and the emotions of sympathetic voters to carry them to victory over the science-based opinions of wildlife experts.

Consider Initiative 91, a ballot measure voters in my home state will decide this November. This proposal seeks to outlaw mountain lion and bobcat hunting in the state. Behind the facade of noble intentions lies a stark reality. Mountain lion populations, left unchecked, will wreak havoc on elk and deer herds, especially when combined with the state’s recent reintroduction of wolves. Ironically, the animal rightists pushing this initiative don’t seem to care a whit about our ungulate populations.

However, the plot gets much deeper. Anti-hunting groups are intentionally exploiting predator reintroduction and protection initiatives as strategic maneuvers to undermine hunting and erode hunting culture. Initiative 91 is simply their latest volley in an ongoing bombardment against sound wildlife management practices nationwide. Presenting their agenda under the guise of conservation and animal welfare, such groups strategically seek public support while covertly advancing their ultimate objective: the eradication of all hunting. Their strategy hinges on the belief that reintroducing wolves and protecting mountain lions will dramatically reduce deer and elk herds, compelling state biologists to drastically reduce the annual allocation of hunting permits. This calculated move aims to deliver a fatal blow to the hunting culture they vehemently oppose.

By bypassing state agencies and pushing their agendas through the ballot box, these ballot-box biologists are effectively silencing the actual biologists tasked with managing our wildlife. It’s akin to trying to school a seasoned hunter on tracking game when you’ve never set foot in the woods.

And if that weren’t enough, these ballot initiatives are backed by slick advertising and media campaigns designed to tug at heartstrings. They’ll have you believe it’s all about rescuing adorable critters, but don’t be duped. Behind the curtain, big-money, left-wing interests are pulling the strings, and the fallout could spell catastrophe for our wildlife and way of life.

Let’s talk about the deceptive use of the term “trophy hunting” in Initiative 91. This misnomer is a deliberate attempt to mislead voters. It implies that hunters seek only the hide and skull of the lions they hunt, which is both unethical and illegal under current law. Colorado already mandates that all edible parts of lions must be prepared for human consumption. Hunters are also required to submit the lion’s skull and hide to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for research and data collection. So, the prohibition of trophy hunting is already enshrined in law, rendering the proposed ballot measure unnecessary.

To make matters worse, if Initiative 91 passes, the term “trophy hunting” as used in the measure would become a statutory definition. The measure defines trophy hunting as intentionally killing, wounding, stalking, pursuing or entrapping a mountain lion or bobcat. If this definition becomes statutory, it will set a legal precedence in which the act of intentionally killing, wounding, stalking, pursuing or entrapping any of the other species we hunt would be legally considered trophy hunting, and could be banned. The long-term effect could be disastrous.

But this ballot measure is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The broader agenda is to gradually erode hunting culture by introducing more predators and protections for predators. The idea is to disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems and create scenarios where hunting becomes increasingly untenable. It’s a calculated, long-term strategy aimed at undermining the very fabric of our hunting heritage.

So, why should bowhunters everywhere heed what’s happening in Colorado? Because the outcome of this clash will reverberate far and wide. Whether you’re pursuing elk in the Rockies or whitetails in the Midwest, the decisions made here could set a dangerous precedent for wildlife management nationwide. Thankfully, after narrowly losing a similar ballot box battle with the reintroduction of wolves, one pro-hunting conservation organization is battling tooth and nail to safeguard our hunting legacy. Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management is spearheading the effort to defeat Initiative 91 and preserve our storied wildlife heritage for posterity.

So, the next time you encounter a ballot initiative masquerading as a savior of our wildlife, scrutinize it closely. Don’t allow emotional appeals to cloud your judgment — heed the counsel of experts and champion science-based wildlife management. Our wildlife’s future is in our hands — let’s ensure it’s a future guided by wisdom, not whimsy.

To those who wish to join the fight, visit the Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management website and contribute to the effort to vanquish Colorado Initiative 91.

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