Science-based wildlife management is under attack! Proposition 127 is a dangerous ballot measure that intends to prohibit the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado. Proposition 127 is a blatant attempt to undermine the authority of Colorado Parks & Wildlife, who for decades has utilized regulated hunting as an effective tool to manage our state’s mountain lion and bobcat populations. Coloradans know what’s best for our wildlife, and that’s to leave it to the professionals. VOTE NO on Proposition 127 and help ensure wildlife management policy stays rooted in science, NOT the ballot box.
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Proposition 127 seeks to prohibit the regulated hunting of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado.
Read the full text here.
Proposition 127 is nothing more than an attempt to uproot science-based conservation strategies in Colorado. If passed by voters in November, this ballot measure would put people, pets, property, livestock, and other wildlife populations in serious jeopardy. Proposition 127 DOES NOT belong in Colorado.
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, both mountain lions and bobcats are considered to have healthy and stable populations. Prohibiting the hunting of these animals could result in rapid population increases, which would pose a significant threat to other species in Colorado. Science-based wildlife management is all about balance, but Proposition 127 would take away the chance for Colorado to maintain this balance in the future.
This ballot measure would require Colorado Parks & Wildlife to upend their current management plan for both mountain lions and bobcats. Not only this, but the agency would also likely have to change how they manage other wildlife species as well, due to their likely increase in predator populations. This ballot measure would create a cascade effect that would require changes to wildlife management procedures that may do more harm than good. Decisions about science-based management efforts should be rooted in science, NOT the ballot box.
Oftentimes, changes to wildlife management policy can have a disproportionate impact on Coloradans who live in rural areas and encounter these predators on a more frequent basis than their urban neighbors. Statewide wildlife management policy should be left to the experts, NOT voters from urban areas who rarely encounter these animals.
Regulated hunting is an extremely important wildlife management tool that allows Colorado Parks & Wildlife to keep these animal populations abundant, stable, and sustainable.
Via regulated hunt and harvest, these species are protected and supported. Current research shows that mountain lion and bobcat populations are stable and healthy in Colorado. According to CPW, there are 3,800-4,400 independent lions across the state, while bobcats are the most common wild cat species in North America. Research indicates that—at minimum—there are anywhere from 1.4-2.6 million bobcats across the country. According to CPW, bobcat populations are also stable and healthy in Colorado. Science-based regulations in Colorado have helped to ensure that these wild cat populations are able to remain strong over time.
Consuming mountain lion and bobcat meat are common practices. In fact, Colorado state law requires hunters to prepare all edible parts of a harvested mountain lion for human consumption to ensure the animal does not go to unnecessary waste. There is a seemingly endless list of recipes that can be found online for those who are interested in trying new dishes that incorporate mountain lion or bobcat meat. Eating mountain lions and bobcats is just like consuming any other animal product: it is perfectly safe so long as it is prepared correctly.
Don’t just take our word for it, see what the experts have to say about the regulated hunting of bobcats and mountain lions: Bobcat-Lion-Lynx-Management-FAQ