The mountain lion, or puma concolor, embodies the spirit of the wild Rocky Mountains and the Colorado outdoors. It has become an iconic symbol that so many outdoorsmen and women look toward to be reminded that Colorado is still a wild majestic place. In keeping with The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, mountain lions are held in the public trust and for the benefit of all.
In the early 1960s, the number of mountain lions in the state of Colorado had fallen to an estimated 124 prior to the establishment of a regulated hunt. This classified mountain lions as a big game species, enabling wildlife managers to closely monitor and, more importantly, regulate their harvest. The new hunting regulations established quotas, bag limits and restrictions on hunting females with kittens.
Thanks to the efforts of mountain lion hunters and Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel involved with this regulated hunt, today Colorado enjoys a healthy population around 3,800 to 4,400, not including kittens.
While it may seem counterintuitive, the introduction of this regulated hunt of mountain lions is what saved this amazing species from near extinction in Colorado. This is a success story that owes much of its credit to mountain lion hunters whose efforts and resources allowed this regulated hunt to occur, which in turn allowed mountain lions to thrive.
But now, mountain lion hunters — the people who helped save these animals from near extinction — are having their culture attacked and threatened by Proposition 127, which would define and prohibit “trophy hunting as intentionally killing, wounding, pursuing, or entrapping a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx; or discharging or releasing any deadly weapon at a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx.”
There are several issues with this wording of “trophy hunting” as it implies that there are hunters who kill mountain lions for the sole purpose of keeping them as “trophies.” But this fails to acknowledge the long history of lion hunting for the purpose of harvesting the incredible game meat for human consumption.
Following a pillar of The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, “wildlife shall be taken by legal and ethical means and in the spirit of ‘fair chase,’ and with good cause.” Hunting mountain lions for the purpose of a “trophy” has always been illegal and lion hunters are required by law (under Title 33 C.R.S.) to prepare lion meat for human consumption; moreover, hunters and trappers are required to present the head and hide of lions and bobcats for mandatory checks.
By using the phrase “trophy hunting,” mountain lion hunters are unfairly compared to illegal poachers and exotic big hunters in places like Africa. When in reality, mountain lion hunters take part in a highly regulated, legal and ethical practice that understands and appreciates these amazing animals in a truly profound and interconnected way.
I want to acknowledge that mountain lion hunting might be an uncomfortable sight for people, especially when hunters use hounds to tree a lion. Hounds are used to help hunters identify the sex of a lion, which is important as the killing of a female lion with kittens is prohibited.
Nonetheless, banning the hunting of mountain lions with Proposition 127 doesn’t actually stop the killing of mountain lions. When California passed a similar measure (Proposition 117) in 1990, mountain lion deaths quadrupled due to state-issued depredation permits allowing landowners to kill lions preying on livestock. If Colorado adopts this ban, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could lose over $2 million in hunting-related revenue over five years and $450,000 annually after that. This is due to the loss of income from hunting licenses and related equipment taxes that are paid each year by mountain lion hunters.
Furthermore, Proposition 127, combined with the recent reintroduction of wolves, could exacerbate Colorado’s wildlife management challenges. A mountain lion in Colorado kill about 50 deer-sized animals each year, and hunters harvest around 500 lions annually. Without regulated hunting, this could result in 25,000 more wildlife kills, not including those from wolves. Even if just 1% of those are cattle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife may need to pay up to $3.75 million in livestock reimbursements. With two apex predators and diminished revenue from hunting license sales, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could soon face a budget shortfall, as depredation payouts rely on these funds — funds that will shrink under Proposition 127.
Proposition 127 is trying 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 on the love and majesty of these amazing creatures. Mountain lions have thrived in Colorado and should continue to do so.
The hard work and sacrifices of mountain lion hunters brought this amazing 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 who has a passion for wildlife, mountain climbing, elk hunting, and being in the great Colorado outdoors.
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