bayoublaster7527
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2017
- Messages
- 551
I don’t think you fully comprehend who we are dealing with in Colorado. These are the same folks who at every commission meeting proclaim hunters to be reckless, bloodthirsty sport killers and assert the majority of trappers intentionally violate wildlife regulations to increase animal suffering. They told us the science overwhelmingly concludes that regulated mountain lion hunting threatens the long term viability of the population. They will not act in good faith and will do however they like. This newly established commission will have rule making and enforcement authority with virtually no public input and no accountability to Colorado constituents. Completely undemocratic by design. If they can make a case that CPW has been defunded or altered, then they can take on all CPW rule making authority. That is when they go after deer or whatever species they haven’t already classified as “keystone” species and eliminated harvest. I am not saying the concept of keystone species isn’t valid or useful in wildlife science. I am not knowledgeable enough in the field to even weigh in. But I can tell you with 100% certainty, in this case, it will be weaponized to usher in the end of hunting and trapping in Colorado.They can't define every hunt-able species as a keystone species. Even their desire to do so won't stand up. That said, all predators will be on the keystone list they make.....and yes, prairie dogs will be too. They have been identified for decades, if not longer, as a keystone grassland species. I'm not trying to start a fight but the concept of keystone species is pretty solid, if not contrary to how wildlife is managed in the North American Model. I can't see how deer could ever be classified as a keystone species. If you removed all of them from the environment they inhabit there would be little change....