Denver Post Editorial Board Rejects Ballot Box Biology
The publication urges readers: No on CO Prop 127.
Today, the Denver Post editorial board stunned me, in a good way, by coming out against the extreme Colorado Proposition 127. I responded by creating this Instagram Reel.
“A “no” vote on Proposition 127 will allow the hunting and trapping to continue under the careful regulation and scientific control of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” the editorial board declared. “The Denver Post editorial board has long supported the wildlife officials at CPW in their pursuit of scientifically managed populations and supporting hunting as both recreation, food sources and a tool for population control.”
The editorial continued:
While most Coloradans would not participate in a mountain lion hunt, or feel comfortable killing a bobcat that had been caught in a live trap, we do not find those practices to be beyond the pale. Like all outdoor recreation, it has an impact on wildlife, but CPW’s job is to carefully regulate and manage that balance between hunting and healthy ecosystems and between fishing in Colorado’s rivers and streams and flourishing trout populations.
Colorado’s mountain lion populations appear to be thriving. Bobcats are not listed in short supply, although population estimates are hard to do on the elusive animals, and lynx are already an endangered species, and hunting and trapping of the animal is not permitted.
The OpEd further warned:
Proposition 127 is not a carefully worded regulation of hunting practices that ensures the critical principles of “fair chase.” It is a complete ban that would open up a slippery slope for all hunting across Colorado.
Voters in this state have long embraced and prioritized outdoor recreation — even if it’s a sport they don’t personally participate in. Hunting big cats is no different and we hope voters in cities and towns, on the plains and in the mountains will say “no” to Proposition 127.
Back in March, I interviewed Dan Gates from Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management on District of Conservation.
And I wrote about the ballot measure at Townhall last week, explaining:
Colorado Proposition 127
The most problematic of the three, Colorado Proposition 127, is giving sportsmen and women deja vu to 2020 after voters narrowly supported the forced reintroduction of gray wolves in the Centennial State.
A “yes” vote on Prop 127 would ban the hunting and management of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state. Anti-hunters refer to management as “trophy hunting.” Opponents of Prop 127 rightfully see this as a death by a thousand cuts measure that would inevitably ban all forms of hunting. Their fears are warranted, because this is what ballot box biology has already delivered there.
In a strong rebuke of Prop. 127, the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association, representing 200 current Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees, said science-based professionals - not Colorado voters - should manage wildlife populations.
“Colorado’s wildlife story is written because of our membership and those who have come before us have devoted our careers to following the best available research and proven wildlife management strategies,” stated association president Casey Westbrook, in a release reported by Denver Post. “Keeping management with wildlife managers is key to protecting Colorado’s wildlife for future generations.”
Looking to California, where mountain lion hunting is already prohibited, cats are dying in greater numbers than they did pre-1990. Are animal rights activists thinking in the best interests of Big Cats? They’re not.
Coloradoans will hopefully learn from the botched forced reintroduction of gray wolves when voting early or heading to the polls on November 5th.
Groups like CRWM, HOWL for Wildlife, and countless others have been diligently working to explain the negative downstream effects of ballot box biology. And it appears Denver Post paid attention.
Let’s hope Colorado voters heed their recommendation. More media outlets should follow the DP’s lead and report the truth about hunting and conservation.