Colorado's Proposed Legislation to Ban Mountain Lion Hunting

As of January 12th, 2022, Colorado Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Joann Ginal and representatives Judy Amabile and Monica Duran have proposed a new bill prohibiting the hunting and trapping of bobcat, lynx, and mountain lions in the state of Colorado. What has been a long-standing tradition of Colorado hunters, the push from animal rights activists is a primary motive for the attempt to have these traditions stopped.

The bill would completely stop all hunting and trapping activities of these big cats in the state of Colorado. The bill allows for the “shooting, wounding, killing, or trapping of these cats if:

Immediately necessary to protect an individual from bodily harm
By a peace officer or licensed veterinarian acting in the course and scope of their duties
By a federal, state, or local department of health to protect human health or safety
Authorized by a scientific collecting license
Authorized by a wildlife sanctuary license

And a few other scenarios are listed here

The bill comes at a strange time as mountain lion numbers in Colorado have continued to rise with Colorado Parks & Wildlife estimating that there are 3,800 – 4,400 mature lions out there. As hunters, we also know the damaging effects these cats have on the populations of other animals such as deer and elk. Mountain lions are known to need to kill one deer per week to sustain a healthy diet.

The ban of predator hunting is often just the beginning and the slow start to the potential ban of more and more aspects of hunting. Colorado isn’t the only state involved in this either. The same situation with big cats is going on in Arizona right now. Along with big cats, spring bear season is on the fence of being put to an end in both California and Washington State. With the recent ban on trail cam usage for big game hunting in Utah, more and more regulations are being put in place that is changing hunting as we know it. Read more about the Colorado lion hunting ban here.

The good news? You can do something about it! Head over to Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to take action and have your voice be heard on these issues!