It is not appropriate for a state’s wildlife agency to leave the decision of whether or not to ban hunting of mountain lions and bobcats to the general public. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the majority of us lack the expertise required for effective wildlife management. Instead, it is the responsibility of the state to continuously monitor lion populations, establish hunting limits, and encourage stable populations. By doing so, we can ensure that these majestic creatures are protected and thrive in their natural habitats.
Anti-hunting advocates are currently working on a campaign to ban the hunting and trapping of lions, bobcats, and lynx, which are already protected by the state. The objective is to gather enough signatures to have the issue put to a vote in the upcoming fall ballot.
As a concerned citizen, I encourage the residents of Colorado to refrain from signing the petition. In my opinion, it is crucial for voters in the Western region to avoid making decisions that are best left to the expertise of biologists and game managers at state wildlife agencies.
In contrast to eastern states, the majority of states in the West permit citizen-initiated ballot measures as a means of altering their laws. However, this method of direct democracy, also referred to as ballot box biology, places the responsibility on citizens to create policy on intricate subjects like the hunting of big cats or the reintroduction of wolves.
This ban proposition is far from simple.
It can be confusing that the ban on hunting includes lynx, which are only allowed to be hunted in Alaska. Another aspect of the ban that can be unclear is its objective of prohibiting hunters from killing cougars and bobcats for trophies instead of for their meat. In Colorado, hunters are already obliged to take all edible meat from their lion kills, but this rule does not apply to bobcats. Meanwhile, some states like Montana and Utah have exceptions for big cats when it comes to meat salvage regulations. However, it might be wise to leave the decision on how hunters utilize their harvest to the hands of experts.
Managing the population of cougars is a complicated matter in Colorado, with around 4,000 of these creatures inhabiting the state. To hunt cougars, all hunters in Colorado must pass a test after taking a course before being granted a hunting license. In the previous year, 2,599 hunters managed to kill 502 mountain lions in the region. Without their efforts, a greater number of deer and elk would likely have fallen prey to these powerful predators.
Hundreds of biologists work tirelessly to maintain a delicate balance in managing permits. They rely on scientific evidence rather than popular opinion to determine the appropriate number of permits to issue. This is a full-time job, and these experts are dedicated to ensuring that the balance is maintained.
I appreciate the expertise of these professionals and strongly advocate for the continued use of hunting as a means of managing mountain lion populations.
As a resident of the mountain lion territory, it’s not uncommon for me to come across deer carcasses hanging in trees while taking a stroll in the woods around my house. These remains serve as clear evidence of the lions’ habit of storing their prey for future meals. On occasion, the loud screams of female cougars during mating season can keep my family up at night, reminding us of the wild creatures that share our habitat.
Although mountain lions are known to be dangerous predators that can kill humans, they are responsible for fewer than 30 fatal attacks on humans in the past century. Surprisingly, bees kill more people than these ferocious beasts, despite their seemingly harmless appearance. The recent tragic incident in California serves as a grim reminder that we should be cautious around cougars, but statistics show that we are more likely to be harmed by bees than by mountain lions.
I believe that hunting these apex predators is necessary to prevent overpopulation. When there are too many mountain lions, they tend to overhunt prey species, which can lead to more frequent contact with humans. Hunting, on the other hand, is a more sensible and humane approach to wildlife management than allowing populations to grow out of control and die of starvation.
Ballot box biology, while not my preferred method of decision-making, seems to be a prevalent practice throughout the Western world. Nevertheless, before signing a petition or casting your vote on hunting laws or wildlife population management, it is essential to consider your level of expertise on the subject, particularly in regards to cougars and bobcats.
Instead of overriding the sound policies of the state wildlife agency, let’s refrain from voting for such actions.