A Glimpse Into The Asylum: “Trophy Hunting That Kills Hundreds of Colorado mountain lions every year should be banned…”(Opinion: Julie Marshall)

A Glimpse Into The Asylum: “Trophy Hunting That Kills Hundreds of Colorado mountain lions every year should be banned…” (Opinion: Julie Marshall)

By Todd Helms

Just in case there was any doubt remaining about how the whacko anti-hunting activists think, Here are some snippets from an opinion piece that recently appeared in The Colorado Sun regarding the Initiative formerly called “Initiative 91” which attempts to ban all hunting of mountain lions, bobcat and lynx (lynx are already prohibited from harvest) in Colorado. 

“It’s the time many of us head out to hunt for that ultimate Christmas tree to shine warmly and brightly in our homes; it’s also the time when lion trophy hunters will sic dog packs on our wildlife, then shoot them as they try to find safety up a tree. The light that shines in cat eyes will be no more, as their heads are cut off, their hides stripped and brought indoors as wall-mounted trophies.”

“…researchers at Colorado State University, 80.6% of Coloradans oppose killing lions or bobcats for their hides or fur and 77.9% for trophies. When given the opportunity to address this obscure form of state-sanctioned cruelty, most say they will not tolerate it any longer. That’s why a citizens’ group — Cats Aren’t Trophies — is working to put a measure on the ballot to give Coloradans an opportunity to have a voice.”

“As a native Coloradan and a former public information officer for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I was appalled to hear some lion trophy hunters and outfitters try to absurdly claim that they are environmental heroes, killing lions to save ecosystems and biodiversity.

But it is actually the mountain lions who are our heroes and they do it naturally. CPW biologists in a study show that mountain lions — not humans — are most efficient at keeping deer herds healthy from chronic wasting disease. It is fascinating to hear leading researchers explain that it is the lions who provide a significant solution to climate, as ecosystem engineers and maintain biodiversity among hundreds of diverse species. It is our lions who are keeping the balance among predators and prey, as basic biology tells us, and lions who have always been here, living among us peacefully, at least until trophy hunters violently disrupted the natural order of things and are now making us all less safe.”

Perhaps considering these people crazy is being too kind, crazy people can’t help it. This is different, it is willful ignorance and detachment from cold, hard facts and the clinging to Disney-esque fantasies about the natural world and man’s role in managing our ecosystems. Folks this twisted rhetoric is being spoon fed to the people who are in the middle and don’t care one way or another but will vote regardless. If the animal rights activist’s voice is the only one they hear then we will lose this fight. 

Make sure you’re keeping up on what’s happening in the fight against this ridiculous proposition by supporting and tuning into Coloradan For Responsible Wildlife Management https://savethehuntcolorado.com/

Source Link

https://coloradosun.com/2023/12/09/opinion-colorado-mountain-lion-ballot-question-efforts/

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