EDGEFIELD, S.C. — On July 31, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced that the animal rights organization behind a mountain lion, bobcat and lynx hunting ban has gathered enough signatures to place the measure on the November ballot, putting the future of big-cat hunting in Colorado in the hands of voters. However, much more is at stake than Colorado and mountain lions.
The Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, a coalition of 20 organizations including the National Wild Turkey Federation, dedicated to the conservation of Colorado’s wildlife through scientific management, held a press conference in June to voice its strong opposition to the mountain lion hunting ban, which could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s wildlife management practices.
The proposed bill would prohibit the legal hunting of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado, as well as the hunting of lynx. Lynx are protected by both state and federal law and no hunting or trapping is allowed. Despite these protections, the initiative would unnecessarily codify a ban, contradicting current statutory language. Colorado State law currently mandates that Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the state agency responsible for overseeing wildlife conservation, “shall utilize hunting, trapping and fishing as the primary methods of effecting necessary wildlife harvests.”
The initiative’s language defines hunting of mountain lions, bobcats or lynx as trophy hunting. It goes further asking voters to agree that, “trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats or lynx is inhumane, serves no socially acceptable or ecologically beneficial purpose, and fails to further public safety.” If passed, this measure would outlaw any hunting or trapping of these wild cats, with the only exception being cases where the animals pose an immediate threat to human life, livestock or property.
“This initiative is troubling for many reasons, said Patt Dorsey, NWTF director of conservation operations in the West. “Hunters and conservationists in Colorado and across the country should be concerned about the use of the ambiguous and misleading term ‘trophy hunting’ and the attempt to define it in law. Defining hunting of any species as trophy hunting opens the door to simply add new species and iteratively erode hunting opportunities.”
Mountain lion and bobcat hunting are heavily regulated for sustainable populations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires hunters to prepare big game, including mountain lions, for human consumption. Hunters and trappers are also required to present harvested mountain lions and bobcats for mandatory checks, a system that has proven effective in preventing waste and ensuring responsible management. Mountain lion harvest is carefully managed by a quota system and a mountain lion education and identification course is required.
Wildlife professionals and conservationists are raising alarms that the hunting ban would fundamentally shift wildlife management from a science-based approach to one driven by emotion and public opinion. The CWCP, the NWTF and other wildlife organizations argue that removing the CPW’s authority to manage predator populations through regulated hunting could disrupt established wildlife management practices, leading to unintended ecological consequences.
“North America’s wildlife success story is not the result of an accident,” Dorsey said. “It is the result of a wildlife management system and has restored species across the country.”
Beyond the potential damage to wildlife management, the proposed ban could also have economic repercussions. The Colorado Wildlife Council reports that hunting and fishing contribute over $3.25 billion to the state’s economy annually and support more than 25,000 full-time jobs.
Colorado is a premier destination for out-of-state hunters who travel to the state each year for big game hunting. Colorado’s wildlife is thriving thanks to the state’s rigorous management practices, but without proper management, wildlife populations could become unsustainable.
“Wildlife management is art and science. It is nuanced and complex,” Dorsey said. “Wildlife managers need flexibility and taking this tool away is counterproductive.”
Hunting is a vital element of wildlife management, crucial for keeping wildlife populations in a social and ecological balance. Hunters play an essential role in managing wildlife populations, helping to ensure their health and sustainability for the long term.
As Colorado voters prepare to weigh in on the mountain lion hunting ban, the NWTF and the CWCP urge them to consider the long-term implications of shifting wildlife management from professionals to the ballot box. Science should guide decisions that impact the state’s wildlife and natural resources.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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