In the upcoming November election, Colorado voters will decide on Proposition 127, an anti-hunting measure that would ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state.
While it’s framed as a move to protect wildlife, hunters and conservationists warn that the proposition is part of a larger effort by anti-hunting groups to undermine traditional, science-based wildlife management.
If passed, Proposition 127 would severely limit hunters’ ability to help manage healthy populations of mountain lions and bobcats, threatening a key part of Colorado’s conservation strategy. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) already manages these populations effectively, ensuring that they remain stable and healthy. A hunting ban would not only disrupt this balance but could lead to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts.
This isn’t just a local issue. Hunters across the U.S. should be aware of how anti-hunting and anti-gun groups are using measures like these to dismantle America’s long-standing hunting culture. As we’ve seen in states like California, where a similar ban has led to costly government-funded lion control programs, these policies often have unintended consequences that go beyond wildlife protection.
Science-Based Wildlife Management at Risk
The population of mountain lions in Colorado is currently thriving, with estimates ranging from 3,800 to 4,400 animals. Hunting plays a crucial role in maintaining these numbers, allowing for population control that reduces conflicts with humans, livestock, and pets. Without hunting, experts warn that Colorado could face similar issues to California, where mountain lion populations have grown so large that government-sanctioned lethal removal is now necessary.
Proposition 127’s broad language also raises concerns about future hunting restrictions. The ban does not just affect mountain lions and bobcats—it sets a precedent that could be expanded to other game species, such as deer, elk, and sheep.
A National Concern for Hunters
This measure is a stark reminder that the fight to protect hunting rights is far from over. Anti-hunting groups won’t stop at Colorado—they have tried and will continue to try similar tactics in other states. Their goal is clear: to eliminate hunters from wildlife management entirely, regardless of the science that supports it.
Hunters must be vigilant. A ban on hunting in one state could inspire bans in others. Protecting hunting traditions requires action at the ballot box. Despite the threat, it’s estimated that up to 10 million American hunters are not even registered to vote, while others fail to support candidates who align with their values.
On November 5, it’s crucial for hunters in Colorado and across the country to show up and vote for candidates who will safeguard hunting and gun rights. The future of hunting—whether it’s mountain lions in Colorado or deer in your own state—depends on it.
Gun Owners of America, through its Second Amendment Hunters Program, is working hard to defend the American hunting tradition. Stay informed and get involved to ensure that our wildlife management practices remain rooted in science, not political agendas.
Gun Owners of America
GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists.
LOL, stupid asses. Haven’t you read or heard what happened in Kommiefornia and all of the mountain lion attacks on hikers and joggers on the trails since hunting mountain lion’s etc. was stopped? Didn’t you read where there are so many that they have come down out of the 4,000 ft elevations into the 1,200 ft and lower elevations eating peoples dogs and cats and grabbing little children? Ya, I thought you read it but you just don’t care because you don’t want any hunting at all do you!!!!!! Dumb ass PETA people are putting 2x4s with spikes buried on… Read more »
Asking tree-hugging, non-hunting libtards to vote wisely on hunting bans is like asking a 6-year-old how much candy is enough. Libtards value animal life more than human life. After all, it’s humans who have caused all the problems on this planet. Once again, common sense is amazingly uncommon.
It’s all fun and games, until a big cat drags you into the bushes.
I live here on the front range in CO and all the liberal dirtbag housewives who have never hunted or likely even been outdoors are petitioning on nextdoor to vote yes for this nonsense. It’s all i can do to not tear them a new one on the site but nextdoor is actually monitored by the same old liberal housewives and it would do no good. They’d just ban me from the site lol.
Living just north of Tucson, while I have never seen one, neighbors have posted pics of cougars, 4 legged, on their back fence. Have enough problems with coyotes now, don’t need big cats also, unless they eat the mangy suburban coyotes. I have small, 15-20# dogs and always go out with them. Even if the hungry mammals are not out, the rattlers, poisonous toads and Gila Monsters are. Always packing just in case. The local “they were here first “ crowd are always shrieking in the paper but us Johnny Come Lately type’s don’t really care.
Read a article that said that the animal rights groups also want in introduce jaguars and ocelots into the National Forest in western states, along with wolves and grizzly bears . In California, big city voters voted to stop hunting on mountain lions and black bears because animal rights groups. claiming that they are ” endangered species”. Huh? Now these hunting banning groups are trying the same thing in Colorado by banning hunting of mountain lions. The gun banning groups are joining up with the hunting banning groups to ban hunting. These groups say that if hunting is banned, then… Read more »
I live in Florida, and used to live in the suburbs of our medium sized city. We occasionally would have a Florida panther move through our area. I resolved that if I ever saw him, and it was possible, I would end his migration status, but I never had the option. I imagine many people in Colorado will adopt the same outlook. By the way, there are FAR more panthers in Florida that Fish and Game will admit to. I once read a book by Peter Hathaway Capstick, an American white hunter who had worked and lived in Africa for… Read more »