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Tag: Cats Aren’t Trophies

As Election Day nears, opposition to big cat hunting ban grows with counties, CPW staffers in mix
completecolorado.com, State

As Election Day nears, opposition to big cat hunting ban grows with counties, CPW staffers in mix

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado The list of organizations, local governments and others across the state opposing Proposition 127, the mountain lion hunting ban on Colorado’s statewide ballot, continues to grow less than two weeks from the general election. The ballot measure purports to ban the practice of “trophy hunting” of mountain lions (as well as lynx and bobcat), which generally means killing an animal for sport and not for consumption or harvest, a practice that is already illegal in Colorado. However, the initiative goes on to broadly define trophy hunting as “intentional killing, wounding, pursuing or entrapping of a mountain lion, bobcat or lynx,” which in practice means a ban on hunting the animals entirely, according to Dan Gates from Coloradans for R...
Prop. 127’s ‘unintended consequences’ could be devastating, leaders in Northwest Colorado say
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Prop. 127’s ‘unintended consequences’ could be devastating, leaders in Northwest Colorado say

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Members of the Associated Governments of Northwestern Colorado (AGNC) were joined recently in a discussion of Proposition 127 by Gaspar Perricone, of the Wildlife Conservation Project and formerly a political advisor, legislative director to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and regional director for Sen. Mark Udall. If supported by voters, Prop. 127 on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot would ban hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and federally-protected lynx. The measure is the result of an animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs), a 501(c) (3) organization who gathered enough signatures to place the issue on the ballot. This is the same process that led to the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado, often ter...
Colorado’s mountain lion hunting ban ballot measure faces Douglas County opposition
denvergazette.com, Local

Colorado’s mountain lion hunting ban ballot measure faces Douglas County opposition

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette A large Colorado county scattered with open space has voiced opposition to a state ballot measure proposed to outright ban the hunting of large mammal cat species. As the November election nears, Douglas County Commissioners on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning a state ballot measure prohibiting the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, or lynx. If the Proposition 127 measure is approved by Colorado voters in November, then hunting those species of animals would become a criminal offense — misdemeanor. The proposal also helps eliminate large cat hunting “big game” damage claims made with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. The proposition mentions trophy hunting, but that is already prohibited for these species. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENV...
Billington & Koeppen: Hunting is an honored tradition that preserves heritage
Commentary, State, thefencepost.com

Billington & Koeppen: Hunting is an honored tradition that preserves heritage

By Carly Billington and Christine Koeppen | The Fence Post Throughout history, hunting has served as a vital part of our nation’s heritage and culture. It embodies the rural community and lifestyle, with many hunters describing a deep connection to the land and reverence for wildlife. Each year, sportsmen invest significant time immersing themselves in nature to understand wildlife behavior, and actively participate in ongoing conservation efforts. Now this time-honored way of life is being threatened in Colorado by Proposition 127 — a proposed ban on hunting mountain lions, bobcats or lynx. Colorado rancher and hunting activist Christine Koeppen is aiming to break stereotypes and raise awareness on the hunting and fur pelt ban being proposed on the ballots in November, and why it’s ...
Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Browning: Prop. 127 is ballot box biology gone wild and Mesa County wisely stood against it

By Lindy Browning | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Prop 127, a ballot initiative brought through the efforts of an extreme animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs) is a slap in the face to wildlife experts at Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). It’s also exploitation through deception for voters who love wildlife. Western Colorado voters know that wildlife management is critical to healthy ecosystems and healthy and diverse wildlife populations. Once again, Western Colorado is leading the way.  On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Mesa County commissioners stood for all 900 species of wildlife in Colorado, stood for livestock growers and took a stand in supporting the experts and biologists at CPW. They passed a resolution opposing the ballot measure. Hitting the nail r...
Ballot-box biology is once again before Colorado voters in November with Prop. 127
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Ballot-box biology is once again before Colorado voters in November with Prop. 127

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Although Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) does not take a position on Proposition 127, all it takes is a cursory look at their website to see that Prop. 127 is in direct conflict with science based and biologists’ expertise in mountain lion and bobcat management efforts for a healthy and robust population in Colorado.  Prop. 127 is the result of an animal rights activist group, Cats aren’t Trophies (CATs) , a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, gathering enough signatures to place the issue on the November ballot. This is the same process that led to the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado. Scott Summers, owner of Canyon Rim Outfitters in western Colorado worries about how he is going to make a living for his family if Proposi...
Group submits petition to ban hunting of bobcats, mountain lions, lynx
coloradopolitics.com, State

Group submits petition to ban hunting of bobcats, mountain lions, lynx

By Deborah Grigsby | Colorado Politics A volunteer group seeking to ban the hunting of Colorado wildcats has submitted signatures to election officials to get the measure on the November ballot. The group called "Cats Aren’t Trophies," which is behind Initiative 91, delivered 188,000 signatures to the Secretary of State on Wednesday. The state requires valid signatures from 124,238 registered voters to secure the measure's placement on the November ballot. Supporters described the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats "inhumane" and called it "commercial killing." Opponents, meanwhile, countered that it's a threat not just to Colorado's hunting tradition but also to wildlife management itself.  READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS