THE VOTERS OF COLORADO FIND AND DECLARE THAT ANY TROPHY HUNTING OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, OR LYNX IS INHUMANE, SERVES NO SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE OR ECOLOGICALLY BENEFICIAL PURPOSE, AND FAILS TO FURTHER PUBLIC SAFETY. TROPHY HUNTING IS PRACTICED PRIMARILY FOR THE DISPLAY OF AN ANIMAL’S HEAD, FUR, OR OTHER BODY PARTS, RATHER THAN FOR UTILIZATION OF THE MEAT. MOREOVER, IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS CONDUCTED BY UNSPORTING MEANS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, USING PACKS OF DOGS WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO PURSUE AND ENTRAP AFFECTED ANIMALS IN PLACES FROM WHICH THEY CANNOT ESCAPE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE KILL. THEREFORE, IT IS APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY TO BAN TROPHY HUNTING OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, AND LYNX IN COLORADO.
Commissioners, It is the hope of the Sportspersons of Colorado that this Proposed Ballot Initiative is defeated and that the CPW educates the voting public of Colorado, that the designation of a big game animal, not a "Trophy", remains and the use of hunting as a management tool is maintained as in the past. It is understood that once the Initiative is filed with the Secretary of State, the CPW has a "gag order" not to speak or address this Initiative in public, per State Voting Regulations.
It is important that the CPW take the initiative and educates the voting public, prior to the Secretary Of State's approval of this Initiative, that the legal hunting of Mountain Lions and the hunting and trapping of Bobcats is a necessary step in maintaining robust populations as is accomplished with other big and small game species here in Colorado.
While CPW E-News may be used , it is doubted that this message will be placed in front of the majority of the voting public and that a much more aggressive campaign needs be developed using other social media platforms and local TV and newspaper outlets.
Currently the following states allow Mt Lion hunting. It might be surmised that if this Mt Lion Initiative is approved here in Colorado, those pushing this type of anti- hunting measures will surely use this momentum to further their attacks on other states that allow Mt lions and Bobcat hunting. We have seen what has happened in California with their ban of Mt Lions hunting and even possessing any Lion parts. Colorado does not want to be the next California. Take a stand, now is the time! Paul Navarre, CPW NE Sportsperson Delegate. Arizona Colorado Idaho Montana Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oregon South Dakota Texas Utah Washington Wyoming
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