Protect cats from unfair chase

A yes vote on Proposition 127 will protect bobcats, lynx and mountain lions from hunting and trapping in Colorado. It will allow the killing of these animals under certain circumstances, such as livestock depredation.

As a lifetime hunter and fisherman and most importantly, wildlife conservationist, I understand both sides of this issue. Hunters and trappers want to protect the opportunity to hunt and trap. Wildlife advocates and conservationists are interested in the welfare of wildlife.

After spending more than 30,000 hours in the field studying and filming mountain lions and bobcats, I’ve learned that these animals, as keystone species, have an outsized positive impact on the ecosystem. They deserve wildlife management that supports their welfare and works to maximize the overall health of their populations. Mountain lions and bobcats do not benefit from being hunted or trapped. Only hunters and trappers benefit. Solid science and research supports the fact that big cats self-regulate their populations. There is no scientific evidence that hunting and trapping is necessary to control their populations.

The Colorado Park and Wildlife Commission Policy states that wildlife be managed for the use, benefit and enjoyment of Colorado visitors and residents. But, every species has a set of biological and ecological factors they are dependent upon, and a wildlife management plan should support those factors. The current goal for management is simply maintaining a population that can be hunted and trapped. However, if hunting and trapping does not improve the welfare of these species, the activity should be called into question.

One of the most important biological factors that determines the health of wild feline populations is kitten survival. Each year, mountain lion kittens are orphaned when female mountain lions are killed by hunters. Mountain lion biologists and researchers will tell you no more than 22% of the harvest should be female lions of breeding age. In Colorado, 46% of mountain lions killed by hunters each year are female lions.

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is often cited as the gold standard of wildlife conservation. It was a response to the market hunting that was decimating wildlife in North America. A key tenet of this model is elimination of markets for wildlife. Trapping and hunting of bobcats and selling their pelts is a clear violation of this tenet.

In addition, fair chase refers to the pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild game in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper or unfair advantage. The current use of lights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, drones, dogs and bait is considered unfair chase. 

A yes vote on Proposition 127 would maintain the flexibility of CPW to kill mountain lions and bobcats when they are preying on livestock and at the same time support the positive impact these animals have on the ecosystems they inhabit.

– David Neils, Loveland