Local Hunters Could Face Stern Penalties for Lion/Bobcat Killing and Trapping
Rick Langenberg
An issue that previously sparked much outrage among local elected leaders and area outdoor buffs has returned to the political center stage, and now appears headed for the November ballot.
So, enjoy your hunting privileges while they last, as they could become heavily restricted, especially in the arena of pursuing wild animal game.
And under one probable scenario, if a proposed state initiative gets finalized as expected, and the majority of Coloradoans say “yes,” to the plan this fall, the battle between rural and urban interests will ignite like never before, with the future of an important sports’ tradition getting axed.
Recently, a group called “Cats Aren’t Trophies,” which is behind Initiative 91, delivered 188,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office, in an effort to secure the measure’s placement on the Nov. ballot. Unless a hefty number of autographs are discarded, the issue is a sure bet to get voted on in the forthcoming presidential election. Only a little more than 124,000 valid signatures from registered Colorado voters are required to force the issue to a vote.
Supporters of the ban describe the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and other wild animals as “inhumane,” and label this action as “commercial killing.” And under the plan, violator of this potential new law would face stern penalties, such as getting slapped with a Class 1 misdemeanor, including a 5-year hunting license ban. Two or more offenses would result in a lifetime hunting suspension.
The lion and bobcat hunting ban also would outlaw the trapping and hunting of bobcats and other acts aimed at intentionally injuring wild animals. The proposed law, though, would include exceptions for self-defense and allow non-lethal management actions to protect livestock.
Opponents of the proposal, including all three Teller County commissioners and many leaders of the state hunting and sporting community are crying foul play over the plan, calling it a threat to Colorado’s hunting tradition and the rural lifestyle. In addition, they say it’s a threat to wildlife management.
“In recent years, Colorado has become the battleground for a movement threatening not just the hunting tradition, but the very essence of wildlife management,” explained Coloradoans for Responsible Management, a conservation organization leading the campaign opposing the initiative., according to an article by the Field and Stream publication. “The onslaught has not escalated with the Proposed Initiative 91, which aims to strip away the very foundation of Science-Based Wildlife Management. By doing so, it seeks to deprive Colorado’s Wildlife Manager and the sporting community of their rights to manage, pursue and harvest these well-regulated species.”
The Colorado hunting heritage at stake
Similar views are echoed by the Teller commissioners. When lawmakers tried to implement a similar ban several years ago, elected leaders came out verbally swinging, and almost devoted an entire meeting to expressing their outrage over these hunting restrictions.
Commissioner Erik Stone previously described this type of hunting ban as “ridiculous” and another attempt by urban officials to attack the lifestyle of rural Colorado to score political points. Moreover, he and other local leaders see this as endangering the lives of area canines, pets and even children and infringing on the rights of citizens. “They think they (mountain lions, bobcats and lynxes) are all cute and cuddly animals,” said Stone, in referring to proponents of this type of ban, when a similar effort was introduced at the state Capitol. He agrees that wild animals are beautiful and make Colorado unique, but adamantly opposes any hunting bans.
“This is the premiere hunting destination in the country,” added Stone.
However, proponents of the measure, say they oppose the commercialization of hunts that amount to the slaughter of mountain lions. They have cited statistics, indicating that a huge increase of mountain lion deaths has occurred through sophisticated technology, headed by commercial operations.
Opposing Killing of Wild Animals For “Trophies”
“We submit signatures to give Colorado voters an opportunity to stop the inhumane, unsporting killing of mountain lions and bobcats for their heads and their beautiful coats,” said Samantha Miller, the group’s campaign manager in a press release.
“This is commercial killing, with lion-hunting guides charging an $8,000 fee to guarantee a ‘trophy’ and trappers selling bobcat pelts to China.”
A decision by the Secretary of State’s Office is expected within the next few weeks. Similar legislative efforts to legalize hunting bans have fallen short.
But most likely, this issue will be decided by the voters in November. That opens the door to a new political playing field to determine this controversial matter that had generated heated debate in the last few years. The hunting referees won’t be state lawmakers or wildlife managers, but they will be the citizens of Colorado, under the latest proposal.
