Opinion: Proposition 127, which bans cougar hunting, disregards Colorado’s effective protection through regulated hunting

Mountain lion, or puma concolorembodies the spirit of the wild Rocky Mountains and Colorado outdoors. It has become an iconic symbol that so many outdoorsmen and women turn to to be reminded that Colorado is still a wild and majestic place. Under the North American model of wildlife conservation, mountain lions are maintained in the public trust and for the benefit of all.

By the early 1960s, Colorado’s cougar numbers had dropped to about 124 before regulated hunting was introduced. This classified mountain lions as a large game species, allowing wildlife managers to closely monitor and, more importantly, regulate their harvest. New hunting regulations set quotas, bag limits and restrictions on hunting females with kittens.

Thanks to the efforts of mountain lion hunters and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff involved in this regulated hunt, Colorado currently enjoys a healthy population of approximately 3,800-4,400, not including kittens.

While it may seem counterintuitive, the introduction of regulated mountain lion hunting has saved this amazing species from near extinction in Colorado. It is a success story that is largely owed to puma hunters whose efforts and resources made this regulated hunt possible, which in turn allowed pumas to thrive.

But now cougar hunters – the people who helped save these animals from near extinction – their culture is under attack and threatened by Proposition 127, which defines and bans “trophy hunting as the intentional killing, injuring, pursuing or trapping of a mountain lion” bobcat or lynx; or firing or discharging any deadly weapon at a mountain lion, bobcat or bobcat.

There are several problems with the phrase “trophy hunting” because it suggests that some hunters kill mountain lions for the sole purpose of keeping them as “trophies.” However, this does not take into account the long history of hunting lions for incredible game for human consumption.

Guided by a pillar of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model, “wildlife must be taken by legal and ethical means and in the spirit of ‘fair chase’ and for good cause.” Hunting mountain lions for “trophy” purposes has always been illegal, and lion hunters are legally obligated (under Title 33 CRS) to prepare lion meat for human consumption; in addition, hunters and trappers are required to submit heads and skins of lions and bobcats for mandatory inspections.

By using the phrase “trophy hunting,” puma hunters are unfairly compared to illegal poachers and large exotic hunters in places like Africa. When in reality, mountain lion hunters are participating in a highly regulated, legal and ethical practice that understands and appreciates these amazing animals in a truly deep and interconnected way.

I want to acknowledge that cougar hunting can be an uncomfortable sight for humans, especially when the hunters use dogs to plant the lion in a tree. Hounds help hunters determine the sex of a lion, which is important because killing a lioness with her kittens is prohibited.

However, Proposition 127’s cougar hunting ban does not actually stop the killing of mountain lions. When California passed a similar measure (Proposition 117) in 1990, mountain lion deaths quadrupled because of state-issued depredation permits that allowed landowners to kill lions that preyed on livestock. If Colorado adopts this ban, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could lose more than $2 million in hunting-related revenue over five years and $450,000 annually thereafter. This is due to the loss of hunting license revenue and related equipment taxes that mountain lion hunters pay each year.

Moreover, Proposition 127 combined with the recent reintroduction of wolves could exacerbate wildlife management challenges in Colorado. A cougar in Colorado kills about 50 deer-sized animals each year, and hunters harvest about 500 lions a year. Without regulated hunting, this could result in 25,000 more wildlife deaths, not including wolves. Even if only 1% of them are cattle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could have to pay up to $3.75 million in livestock restitution. Facing two top predators and reduced revenues from hunting license sales, Colorado Parks and Wildlife may soon face a budget shortfall because depredation payments rely on these funds – funds that will be reduced under Proposition 127.

Theorem 127 tries to solve a problem that does not exist, thereby creating new problems.

No matter where you stand on this issue, we can all unite in the love and majesty of these amazing creatures. Mountain lions have flourished in Colorado and should continue to do so.

The hard work and dedication of mountain lion hunters brought this amazing species back from the brink of extinction in the 1960s. Let’s honor their efforts by voting no on Proposition 127.

John Henry Wilson lives in Lakewood and is a fourth-generation Coloradoan with a passion for wildlife, mountain climbing, elk hunting and the Colorado outdoors.

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Story Type: Opinion