Proposition 127 Could Reduce Resident Conflicts with Mountain Lions

As a trail runner, I have spent many hours alone in the foothills in deer and mountain lion habitat. I was and am always aware of the possible presence of lions. However, until recently, I did not know that trophy hunting could increase my risk of a mountain lion attack. Proposition 127 is both an urban and rural issue.

Millions of people live in the Front Range and recreate in mountain lion habitat. Mountain lions that are not causing conflict are trophy hunted with a pack of GPS-collared dogs. About 500 of these Colorado mountain lions are killed for trophies every year and nearly half the dead are female. Adult females often have dependent young and the orphan kittens generally die without their mother. The surviving orphans tend to cause conflict; orphaned, unskilled juvenile males who gravitate into the territory previously occupied by a mature male lion. Academic research finds that sport hunting can result in increased conflict with people, pets and livestock.

A study published in 2020 compared 10 western states with mountain lion sport hunting to California, where mountain lion trophy hunting was banned 50 years ago. California has the 3rd lowest per capita incidents between mountain lions and people and the same mountain lion population estimate as Colorado. A 2016 study evaluated 30 years of trophy hunting data from British Columbia, which shows an even more direct link between trophy hunting and increased conflict: “Hunting as a management tool? Cougar-human conflict is positively related to trophy hunting.”

In summary, conflict with mountain lions is rare. However, research indicates that trophy hunting results in a higher rate of conflict than if we prohibited sport hunting these animals. This November I will vote Yes to protect our wild cats and my safety.

Marley Shipps

Lakewood