Saddle Sore: Deer and elk will feel it

Editor’s note: The regular Saddle Sore column did not publish Saturday. We apologize for the delay.

Proposition 127 — “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning a prohibition on the trophy hunting of mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats, and, in connection therewith, defining ‘trophy hunting’ as the intentional killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping, or discharging or releasing of a deadly weapon at a mountain lion, lynx, or bobcat; creating exemptions from this prohibition including for the protection of human life, property, and livestock; establishing “trophy hunting” as a class 1 misdemeanor; and increasing fines and limiting wildlife license privileges for persons convicted of this crime?”

Is Proposition 127 a serious attempt at rescuing a dwindling mountain lion population in the state, or is it a good-hearted attempt to curb the killing of mountain lions with very little legitimate scientific reason to do so?

In 1967, the naming of mountain lions as a “wild game” animal put them in the same categorization as elk, deer, bear, and other wild creatures in our locales. The population at the time hovered around 200 animals. With such protections in place, the mountain lion population increased rapidly, getting up to somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,800-4,400 in the state today.

It’s not because the cougar is a threatened species, nor is it because it is being over-hunted. The main reason, after reading reams of paper on the subject, seems to be that folks don’t like the use of dogs to hunt mountain lions. That is understandable, for it does seem rather brutal, sending six or seven dogs out into the wild to find, chase, and eventually tree a stealthy, unapproachable cat, an easy target for a hunter. It tears at the heart of every anthropomorphic animal lover out there.

But think about it. We already have increasing problems with the cats. Their territory is shrinking due to development; more people are recreating in their habitat by hiking, biking and walking their dogs. They are becoming more and more habituated to human populations.

In 2016, a mother in Woody Creek had to pull the head of her 5-year-old son out of the mouth of a cougar, intent on lunch. The boy had been playing in his backyard. He fortunately survived, but in addition to the physical injuries, think of the trauma to his mind.  

If you think it’s a Western Slope problem, be apprised that, according to “Wildlife Tracker,” in 2022-23, there were 35 or more lion attacks and encounters with people and pets in and around Nederland, on the Front Range.

To put an end to mountain lion hunting (the proposition throws in bobcats and lynx, for mawkish politicization — it is already illegal to shoot or kill a lynx) will mean a rapid increase in mountain lion populations around the state.

In 2020, Aspen Journalism reported: “In response to an increase in mountain lion sightings and conflicts in the Roaring Fork and Eagle River valleys, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials are proposing a “special management area” to give hunters more time and tools to kill mountain lions.” This special area is called the “Glenwood Special Management Area” in the new mountain lion 2024-2025 management plan, currently being promulgated by CPW.  

Already mountain lions are encroaching on areas populated by humans. The average annual harvest by hunters in Colorado for the past three years has been 505 animals. Think about that — turning over 500 mountain lions back into the wild, likely a majority of them living in the Roaring Fork and Eagle River valleys.

Unlike coyotes, who can usually be observed stalking or attacking your pet, a mountain lion can abscond with a domestic dog in about the same time it takes you to look right or left. No sound. No warning. Do we want more danger like that lurking around our outdoor world of hiking, biking and enjoying our pets?   

You think there must be a lion shortage in the balance of nature because you never see one? Trust me, they see you. My favorite hiking trail occasionally has fresh lion tracks on it and a trail cam regularly picks up images of those amazing felines. Sometimes I hear rustling in the brush and wonder.  

Just think how relaxing it is going to be, living with another “feel-good” ballot box intrusion into wildlife management, with another 500 wild, hungry cats spying on us, just out of sight in the willows, brush, or aspens.

The deer and elk populations will feel it, as will small game like rabbits and racoons. Another fool’s errand — look at the debacle we’ve created with the reintroduction of wolves. Vote no on 127.

Tony Vagneur writes here on Saturdays and welcomes your comments at ajv@sopris.net.