CO Mountain Lion Ballot Initiative: Continuous Updates

[bayoublaster7527]

This article below is from the Anti-Hunting Policy Center at Colorado State University, essentially the information and polling arm of the anti-hunting movement in Colorado, led by noted anti-hunting, animal rights activist Rebecca Niemiec. Their survey information focuses on mountain lions and black bears. In case there was any question, they are definitely coming with a black bear hunting ban ballot initiative next.

Colorado voters weigh a ban on hunting mountain lions as attitudes toward wild predators shift

Colorado has spectacular scenery, but it comes with wild animals, and they sometimes wander into town. A ballot measure that would ban hunting wild cats is the latest test of public views on hunting.

theconversation.com

 

[tormenter]

If anyone starts to create signage or handouts around this now that it has a number, please post that here so we can start promoting and distributing.

Check your messages

 

[perma]

Their survey information focuses on mountain lions and black bears. In case there was any question, they are definitely coming with a black bear hunting ban ballot initiative next.

Yup, that’s exactly it. That doesn’t happen if we win this ballot. Still have a very good shot at winning. A lot of undecided voters I talk to are open to our side of the world. Stay vigilant.

 

[Bigjay73]

Another attempt to undermine wildlife management | Colorado Springs Gazette

Yet another stalking horse for the national animal-rights movement is galloping toward Colorado’s statewide ballot.

www.coloradopolitics.com

 

[elkduds]

I'm opposing CO 127 in local online social media: Next Door, town specific FB groups. Replies are 3-1 opposing the legislation. Lot of opportunities to discuss the larger agenda of expanding the definition of "trophy hunting" toward the goal of eliminating hunting entirely. Repliers seem to resent that sneakiness, easily deciphered from the text of the bill.

Colorado Proposition 127, Prohibit Hunting of Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Lynx Initiative (2024)

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

Some sample posts:
From Ballotpedia link posted by Deborah Johnson above: A "yes" vote supports defining and prohibiting trophy hunting as "intentionally killing, wounding, pursuing, or entrapping a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx; or discharging or releasing any deadly weapon at a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx." Meaning all currently legal hunting of lions and bobcats would be classified as trophy hunting. Does that sound like an accurate definition? Of course not, and this language will open the door to banning all hunting of every game species in Colorado, from elk to ducks and pheasants. Simply by defining all sporting hunting as "trophy hunting." Hate more taxes? This bill would increase the budget of CPW who will have to pay professionals to cull problem lions and bobcats. All revenue from the sale of lion and bobcat (small game) hunting license sales would be lost. As others have posted, lynx are an endangered species so they cannot be killed anyway . More evidence that this is entirely an anti-hunting bill disguised as a solution to politically distasteful "trophy hunting."


Why? Do you have a reason, besides what Carole Baskins parrots from HSUS? As Nick Bailey wrote above, the wildlife biologists @ CPW manage all of our wildlife, changing one changes them all. The only reason this is on the ballot, besides millions of $ from out of state, is to end citizen hunting of all species. Read Aldo Leupold on the North American model of wildlife conservation. Hunting is a legacy that involves sportspeople, women and men, in animal and habitat conservation. Through Pittman Robertson sales taxes on sporting equipment and through hunting license fees, hunters fund most wildife conservation. CPW gets no funding from Colorado state taxes.

 

[jassonolive]

To get everyone up to speed, the Colorado Secretary of State has certified that there are enough signature to move I-91 to the ballot this fall.

That means that the popular vote will decide if mountain lion and bobcat hunting will continue in Colorado. Just a couple of years ago a similar ballot initiative to require Colorado Parks and Wildlife to import and manage wolves passed by the narrow margin of 33,000 votes of 2 million.

Every vote will be needed.

What you can do right now:

DONATE to Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. Simply put, this will not be won without the financial support of sportsmen.

WATCH Charles, President of HOWL for Wildlife, give an update.

SUBSCRIBE to this thread. We will be posting updates, actions, and anything else YOU need to help defeat I-91 in this thread.

SHARE this post, CRWM and HOWL links, and good information with anyone whose ear you can bend. Much has been said that is simply and factually incorrect (CPW doesn't have a position on this, populations are declining, etc.)

JOIN the pack. Colorado isn't the only state experiencing these types of attacks. It is an ongoing battle everywhere to protect hunting's heritage, access, and opportunities.

This is the rally cry for all sportsmen, regardless of where you live or if you hunt mountain lions or bobcats, to stop this anti-hunting effort.

Thanks for the update. It's critical that everyone who values responsible wildlife management and conservation takes action now. The narrow margins in past votes show just how much every voice matters. Supporting organizations like CRWM and HOWL for Wildlife is essential, whether through donations or spreading the word. Let’s ensure accurate information is out there and protect our hunting heritage. For anyone on the fence, it’s not just about mountain lions or bobcats – it's about preserving the future of responsible wildlife management for all of us.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Saw “No to Prop 127” signs on the interstate today for the first time. Very nice!

 

[wescott1988]

I see SCI Colorado has some nice raffles to help support funding for the cause. Would love to win an Alberta deer hunt next year!

 

[HOWL for Wildlife]

We know everyone's been waiting and wanting to hear an update. There has been a lot going on behind the scenes, trust us. Colorado's Wildlife Deserve Better will be putting out more communication very soon. To that end, there are already several actions you can take:

MEDIA PAGE: This page has downloadable and sharable information and more will be added. It is password protected (CWDB's call). Just message us and we can get you access.

LAWN SIGNS: If you are in Colorado, you will have the opportunity to pick these up at several locations. Points of contact and locations where to pick these up will be shared in the next week.

WATCH/SHARE: Blood Origin's Lionheart film.

BILLBOARDS/SIGNAGE/ADS: All of this will be going live. This is all targeted advertising, intentional and strategic in its placement and deployment.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Use HOWL's tool to send letters to the local newspapers around Colorado. These are an effective method.

 

[perma]

We know everyone's been waiting and wanting to hear an update. There has been a lot going on behind the scenes, trust us. Colorado's Wildlife Deserve Better will be putting out more communication very soon. To that end, there are already several actions you can take:

MEDIA PAGE: This page has downloadable and sharable information and more will be added. It is password protected (CWDB's call). Just message us and we can get you access.

LAWN SIGNS: If you are in Colorado, you will have the opportunity to pick these up at several locations. Points of contact and locations where to pick these up will be shared in the next week.

WATCH/SHARE: Blood Origin's Lionheart film.

BILLBOARDS/SIGNAGE/ADS: All of this will be going live. This is all targeted advertising, intentional and strategic in its placement and deployment.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Use HOWL's tool to send letters to the local newspapers around Colorado. These are an effective method.

Thank you for keeping us in the loop. We appreciate you advocating for us.

 

[perma]

Thank you for keeping us in the loop. We appreciate you advocating for us.

For those who don’t live in CO; there’s a ton of signs on the front range on I25 advocating for vote no on 127. The word is getting out there.

 

[TOGIE]

pm me if you want a bumper sticker. i'll have 100 soon.

can mail or maybe meet up, but my schedule is getting mega tight.

 

[Bluffgruff]

I'd love a yard sign

 

[jimss]

For those of you that enjoy watching, filming, and hunting wild sheep, mule deer, and other big game species there should be definite concern about the impact of lions to an unchecked population of lions in Colorado.

With deer numbers down across most of Colorado and the West there is even more pressure placed on an already ailing mule deer population. I'm not sure how many deer/month a lion kills but if there are fewer deer available it puts more pressure on lions to kill other species. If you read my post above, desert sheep in New Mexico was almost exterminated until lion hunts were intensified in those sheep regions. Desert sheep were once listed as endangered in New Mexico. That listing was lifted once lion populations were kept in check and desert sheep populations increased. With fewer mule deer available you can be guaranteed more pressure is currently placed on wild sheep even with the lion population at current levels.

I just looked up the 2022/23 lion harvest report in Colorado and there were 502 lions harvested in Colorado in 2022/23. The past 4 years there have been approximately 2,000 lions killed by hunters across Colorado. What happens every year if there are 500 more lions/year roaming the hills?

I can pretty much guarantee that each of those 500 lions kill multiple big game animals/month. Wild sheep (especially lambs and yearlings) are relatively easy pickings for a lion! It's also pretty easy to visualize how there would be more human/lion conflicts and lions will kill more back yard pooches!

https://coloradosun.com/2023/01/01/nederland-mountain-lions-dog-killings/ coloradosun.com

Mountain lions killed 15 dogs in 30 days near a Colorado town. Attacks continued and now a lion is dead.

In and around Nederland, residents questioned Colorado Parks and Wildlife's efforts to stop a rash of dog killings and were told their only recourse was adaptation and protecting their pets. Right as the killings started to slow, one lion was shot.

 

[jimss]

Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management

We focus on the public’s interests for maintaining a century-old track record of our natural resources, including wildlife, habitat, and farms and ranches.

savethehuntcolorado.com

 

[jpcoll01]

I just donated from KY!

 

[Bluffgruff]

Lion hunting isn’t trophy hunting because trophy hunting is illegal in Colorado • Colorado Newsline

Well regulated hunting is a crucial tool in managing Colorado's wildlife populations, including the mountain lion.

coloradonewsline.com

 

[hunter49]

Good stuff bluffgruff.

Problem is most of the people pushing the propostion only think it's necessary to follow the science when it fits their end goals.