Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hunting Under Fire-CO and OR

Hi all.

I'm relatively new to the 'Fire, but I see a lot of good things here. Mostly folks that enjoy the outdoors.

This thread is to highlight an attack that is coming in Colorado. The following link is to an Outdoor Life article that references a fight in Oregon, I'll leave that to the folks from Oregon. This one is a ban on hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx. The article and video explain it very well.

Outdoor Life Article

Outdoor Life-YouTube

The fight in Colorado is a pending ballot initiative. We don't have a great record on ballot initiatives. We lost spring bear hunting, most of our recreational trapping by eliminating specific devices (body gripping traps, foothold traps, snares), and our state wildlife agency (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) was mandated after the election in 2020 to introduce wolves into the state. All of these were decisions made at the ballot box that impacted sportsmen and women and didn't take into account legitimate hunting/trapping recreation or sound wildlife management.

Lastly, here is a link to the sportsman group that is spearheading the fight. Unfortunately in the past individual sportsmen have not banded together. It's easy to say: "I'm not a bear hunter.", or "I'm not a trapper.", or "They're only going to put wolves on the western slope, so it won't impact me." It's a death by a thousand cuts, and the animals rights folks and anti-hunters are whittling away at things we hold dear. It's also pretty easy to say: "That's Colorado, or Oregon, they would never do that in Idaho, or Wyoming."

Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management

This group has their work cut out for them and can use all the help they can get. I'm not getting anything out of this other than getting the word out and trying to rally the troops.

LHS

Most people are too lazy and too broke to donate a few hours of time or send $20 to the organizations fighting the cause. Fugkin pathetic.

Thanks for posting! There was a time where there were not many liberals in Colorado. The Liberals screwed up San Francisco and they cannot fix it! My cousin lived in Germany when he was in the U.S. army and hunted while there. Germany managed their game very well. What my cousin said though, that whoever owned the land , the game belonged to so you had to work out a deal with the land owner. This was 30 years ago, may be different now. Alan

At least 75% of the folks in Colorado are very close to a portion of folks in Louisiana.....DUMBER THAN A BOX OF HAMMERS!!

The wolf ballot initiative in Colorado passed by 50.91%, so a little bit less than your estimate. The bottom line is that it only takes a majority.

Thanks for looking.

LHS

I'll bite. Just sent them $30 bucks. I was born and raised in CO. and hate seeing what the commies have been doing to the state. The area for the wolf release is very near where I grew up.
Total Bull [bleep].

Ballot initiative game management is the issue.

There oughta be a law against it.

Maybe i need to set up a ballot initiative?

I’m sitting in New Iberia and met some good people however, there are some strange ass folks down here. Adam Sandler movies are dang near spot on! 😂

They need to fix their website. I tried to donate, it just kept sending me in circles unless I would create an account; something I won't do for a one-time donation; also don't want to give them an email address, too likely to get a bunch of junk mail.

Hell, that's only a couple trunk load of ballots to get over that hump. Piece of cake.

That includes the 2nd Amendment. Everybody expects the other guy to do it...they piss and moan about lost rights, and then they beat on the ones that actually do some work.

The Colorado Department of Wildlife lost credibility when they were lumped in with Colorado Parks Department.

Game management was not as important as siphoning money to fund other departments...

Now game management is up for control by Popular vote and lobby groups.

Follow the Science? Not when it comes to hunting as the tool for Conservation these days.

Agreed! The ballot passed in only 13 of Colorado's 64 counties. How about a ballot initiative needs to carry in a majority of counties of a state, so that population centers don't dictate to the rural?


Here's their address you can send a check to. I know there's a lot of 'Fire members who don't mind sending a check (tinfoil hat crowd excepted of course).

P.O. Box 387
Canon City, CO 81215

LHS

Maybe it’s because I don’t donate to fight a fugging cause in sh*t hole Colorado and Oregon because I am donating money and time fighting commies in my own state azz wipe. Sh*t instead of 20 bucks get off you sacred holier than thou pedestal and send 200 or better yet 2000 bucks.

Prior to the wolves being introduced into Yellowstone NP, the northern Yellowstone elk herd was between 22,000 to 24,000 animals. A few years ago, the official elk count for that herd was around 4,000 animals.

Colorado has probably the largest elk herd in the world, and is one of the best places in the world for elk hunting opportunities. Putting wolves back into Colorado will destroy that great elk herd ... and Colorado's mule deer, bighorn sheep, and doomestic livestock populations.

Wildlife should only be managed by trained and knowledgeable biologists, not ignorant voters.

Thanks, LHS. I see that is on their site, I guess I got annoyed enough to get distracted.

It's amazing how stupid these Wildlife Management people can be.

Both CO and OR have been taken over by displaced idiots from CA. CA outlawed mountain lion hunting decades ago. This just proves when LIBs move from one place to another they always take their LIB ways with them and screw up the new place.

OK, here's the latest. I tried to attach the pdf file, but it said it was too big, so the text is pasted in below for those that want to read it.

Here are the highlights:

They don't want to be percieved as anti-hunting so they've included a provision for a hunting season. Annually December 17 through December 30. No reference to the current quota system that very rigorously limits harvest to specific geographic areas, with the possibility for a season currently of November 27- April 30 if there is a large quota in a unit to limit depredation on livestock.

Here's the kickers they've added:

No use of hounds, or facilitate or assist in the hunting or killing. That eliminates outfitters. Making it a felony.

Their language of assessing license suspension points and a suspension contradicts the current license suspension process.

They introduce to Colorado statutes the definition of "Trophy Hunting". There is currently no definition in Colorado CRS.

The killing of a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx, and keeping or transferring to another, whether by gift, sale, or in any other manner except as provided in this section,
or soliciting another person to kill a mountain lion, bobcat, or lynx.

I think they just defined hunting-really easy to apply that to the next species-elk, deer, grouse, turkey, etc.

Luckily they also define when it isn't "Trophy Hunting":

They do allow for killing the above species while in the act of defending human life, livestock, real or personal property, a motor vehicle (WTF-lions attacking cars??).
Also, they allow you to avoid felony penalties if you happen to hit one with a car, boat, or train.

If you harvest a lion, bobcat, or lynx during their limited short season you must present it to CPW within 36 hours and relinquish all the trophy parts (hide, head, claws). I find this interesting because lynx are currently designated as an endangered species and there is no season on them. I guess they'll accept any that get harvested. This also eliminates any economic benefit to taxidermists, tanneries, etc. Of course they could care less.

Again, as in my OP, hunters need to get together on this as it's just the next step to remove hunting at all. It doesn't matter if you will ever hunt lions, bobcats, or lynx. They are trying to eliminate all hunting. It also doesn't matter if you live in Texas, Idaho, or Ohio.

LHS

Be it Enacted by the People of the State Colorado:

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 33-4-101.4 as follows:

33-4-101.4. Wild cats – declaration of intent – hunting season - penalty.

(1) THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THIS SECTION IS TO LIMIT THE INHUMANE AND UNSPORTING TAKING
OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS AND LYNX AND TO PROVIDE FOR A LIMITED SEASON AS REFERENCED
HEREIN, BUT NOT TO REQUIRE ANY SEASON AT ALL. THESE PROVISIONS ARE INTENDED TO MINIMIZE
NEEDLESS ORPHANING OF THESE ANIMALS’ YOUNG. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SO
CONSTRUED.

(2) DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 17 OF ANY CALENDAR YEAR IT IS
UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO TAKE A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT OR LYNX BY ANY MEANS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FIREARM, TRAP, BAIT, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, BOW AND ARROW, OR
BY THE USE OF ONE OR MORE DOGS.

(3) IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, AT ANY TIME, TO USE TRAPS, BAIT, ONE OR MORE DOGS, OR
ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO FOLLOW OR CHASE A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX OR TO
FACILITATE OR ASSIST IN THE HUNTING OR KILLING OF A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX.

(4) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY WHEN A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT OR
LYNX IS TAKEN PURSUANT TO ANY OF THE EXCLUSIONS FROM THE DEFINITION OF “TROPHY
HUNTING” SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION 33-6-117(1)(C)(VI).

(5) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION COMMITS A CLASS 6
FELONY AND SHALL BE PUNISHED, INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT OF A FINE, AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 18-1.3-401, C.R.S. UPON SUCH CONVICTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL ASSESS TEN
LICENSE SUSPENSION POINTS AND SUSPEND THE WILDLIFE LICENSE PRIVILEGES FOR ONE TO
FIVE YEARS OF THE PERSON CONVICTED.

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 33-6-117(1)(c) and amend 33-6-117(2) as
follows:

33-6-117. Willful destruction of wildlife – legislative intent.

(1) (a) Except as is otherwise provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title or by rule of the commission,
it is unlawful for a person:

(I) To hunt or take, or to solicit another person to hunt or take, wildlife and detach or remove, with
the intent to abandon the carcass or body, only the head, hide, fur, claws, teeth, antlers, horns,
internal organs, or feathers or any or all of such parts;

(II) To intentionally abandon the carcass or body of taken wildlife; or

(III) To take and intentionally abandon wildlife.

Received by Legislative Council Staff

11/22/23 at 4:20 pm

Initiative 2023-24 #101: Prohibit Trophy Hunting

(b) A person who violates subsection (1)(a), with respect to:

(I) Big game, eagles, and endangered species, commits a class 5 felony and shall be punished as
provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S., and, in addition, shall be punished by a fine of not less
than one thousand dollars nor more than twenty thousand dollars. For offenses committed on or
after July 1, 1985, the fine shall be in an amount within the presumptive range set out in section
18-1.3-401 (1)(a)(III), C.R.S. Upon such conviction, the commission shall assess twenty license
suspension points and suspend the wildlife license privileges for one year to life of the person
convicted.

(II) All other wildlife species, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1)(c), commits a class 2
misdemeanor and is assessed twenty license suspension points.

(c) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION, AND EXCEPT AS IS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN ARTICLES 1 TO 6 OF THIS TITLE, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO ENGAGE IN TROPHY HUNTING
OF A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX.

(II) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION, AND EXCEPT AS IS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN ARTICLES 1 TO 6 OF THIS TITLE, ANY PERSON WHO KILLS A MOUNTAIN LION, LYNX,
OR BOBCAT MUST, WITHIN THIRTY-SIX HOURS OF THE KILL, RELINQUISH ALL OF THE ANIMAL’S
BODY PARTS THAT QUALIFY AS A TROPHY TO AN AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL IN A COLORADO PARKS
AND WILDLIFE REGIONAL OFFICE.

(III) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBSECTION:

(A) “TROPHY” MEANS THE MOUNT, DISPLAY, OR PRESERVATION OF A MOUNTAIN
LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SKIN OF THE
HEAD, THE ENTIRE SKIN, HEAD, FUR, HIDE, EARS, LEGS, FEET, OR CLAWS, IN A
LIFELIKE REPRESENTATION OR DEPICTION OF THE ANIMAL OR ITS BODY PARTS.

(B) “TROPHY HUNTING” MEANS:

(i) THE KILLING OF A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX, AND KEEPING OR
TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER, WHETHER BY GIFT, SALE, OR IN ANY OTHER
MANNER EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1)(c)(II) OF THIS SECTION, ONE
OR MORE TROPHIES FROM SUCH ANIMAL; OR

(ii) SOLICITING ANOTHER PERSON TO KILL A MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX,
WITH THE INTENT TO ACQUIRE AND KEEP OR TRANSFER ONE OR MORE TROPHIES
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1)(c)(II) OF THIS SECTION.

(IV) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SUBSECTION (1)(c)(I) OF THIS SECTION COMMITS A CLASS 5
FELONY AND SHALL BE PUNISHED, INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT OF A FINE, AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 18-1.3-401,C.R.S. UPON SUCH CONVICTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL ASSESS TWENTY
LICENSE SUSPENSION POINTS AND SUSPEND THE WILDLIFE LICENSE PRIVILEGES FOR ONE YEAR
TO LIFE OF THE PERSON CONVICTED.

(V) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SUBSECTION (1)(c)(II) OF THIS SECTION COMMITS A CLASS 6
FELONY AND SHALL BE PUNISHED, INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT OF A FINE, AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 18-1.3-401, C.R.S. UPON SUCH CONVICTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL ASSESS TEN
LICENSE SUSPENSION POINTS AND SUSPEND THE WILDLIFE LICENSE PRIVILEGES FOR ONE TO FIVE
YEARS OF THE PERSON CONVICTED.

(VI) “TROPHY HUNTING” DOES NOT INCLUDE:

(A) ANY ACT SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1)(c)(I) OF THIS SECTION IF IT WAS
CONDUCTED IN THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN LIFE, LIVESTOCK, REAL OR PERSONAL
PROPERTY, OR A MOTOR VEHICLE PURSUANT TO SECTION 33-3-106 AND APPROPRIATE
NONLETHAL METHODS HAVE BEEN USED AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION, EXCEPT THAT
LETHAL MEANS MAY BE USED TO DEFEND HUMAN LIFE;

(B) ANY ACT SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1)(c)(I) OF THIS SECTION IF IT WAS
CONDUCTED BY AN AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE,
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OR THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, WHEN THE EMPLOYEE IS ACTING IN HIS OR HER OFFICIAL
CAPACITY;

(C) THE ACCIDENTAL WOUNDING OR KILLING OF A MOUNTAIN LION, LYNX, OR
BOBCAT BY A MOTOR VEHICLE, VESSEL, OR TRAIN;

(D) THE USE OF NONLETHAL METHODS BY A PERSON AUTHORIZED TO CAPTURE A
MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT OR LYNX FOR PURPOSES OF BONA FIDE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH,
FOR RELOCATION PERMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES OF THE DIVISION OR FOR
MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE ANIMAL BEING CAPTURED AS PERMITTED BY SECTION 33-
6-206(1)(a), (1)(c), OR (1)(d);

(E) ANY ACT SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1)(C)(I) OF THIS SECTION IF AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE PURSUANT TO SECTION 35-40-101 TO
CONTROL DEPREDATING ANIMALS;

(F) EUTHANASIA OF AN ILL OR INJURED MOUNTAIN LION, BOBCAT, OR LYNX,
DONE FOR HUMANE REASONS, BY A PERSON LICENSED TO PRACTICE VETERINARY
MEDICINE UNDER THE COLORADO VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT, ARTICLE 315 OF TITLE
12;

(G) ANY ACT SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1)(C)(I) OF THIS SECTION IF IT WAS
CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO A SPECIAL LICENSE ISSUED BY THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND
WILDLIFE UNDER SECTION 33-4-102(2)(a), 2(i), OR (13); OR

(H) ANY ACT SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1)(C)(I) OF THIS SECTION IF IT WAS
CONDUCTED BY AN EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACTOR OF A FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, CITY
AND COUNTY, OR MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH OR SAFETY PURSUANT TO SECTION 33-6-205.

(2) (a) The purpose and intent OF SUBSECTION (1)(a) of this section is to protect the wildlife of this
state from wanton, ruthless, or wasteful destruction or mutilation for their heads, hides, claws,
teeth, antlers, horns, internal organs, or feathers, from being taken and abandoned, or any or all of
the foregoing, and the PERTINENT provisions of this section shall be so construed.

(b) THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF SUBSECTION (1)(c) OF THIS SECTION IS TO PREVENT THE KILLING
OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS OR LYNX, SIMPLY SO HUNTERS MAY ACQUIRE PARTS OF THESE
ANIMALS AS SOUVENIRS OF THEIR HUNTS. THESE PROVISIONS ARE INTENDED TO ELIMINATE THE
INCREASINGLY PREVALENT AND INHUMANE PRACTICES OF USING DOGS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
TO FACILITATE TROPHY HUNTING OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, OR LYNX . THE PERTINENT
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SO CONSTRUED.

SECTION 2. Effective date - applicability. This measure shall be effective on and after the date
it is declared by proclamation of the governor to have been adopted by voters and shall apply to
offenses committed on or after the effective date.

In commemoration of the last ballot initiative donneybrook coming to fruition today in Colorado:

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/ne...54c36f6-9e06-11ee-83a8-576b0e14d4bb.html

I have been busy doing my diligent research as a Colorado voter and have an update. What I referred to previously as "the" ballot initiative is actually 2 different ballot initiatives.

Here are links to the current language of the proposals, where they currently reside with the Secretary of State's Office:

Colorado Ballot Proposal 2023-2024 #91 - Prohibit Trophy Hunting

Colorado Ballot Proposal 2023-2024 #101 - Prohibit Trophy Hunting

Confusing, isn't it? I think that is by design. They have been submitted by different "Designated Representatives". If you're interested, please read them! Certainly, when something shows up on the ballot-be an informed voter. There's a lot of legalese in them, but here are some highlights.


#91

-Prohibits the hunting of the 3 species altogether. Ironically lynx are and endangered species and there is no hunting of them currently.
-Introduces "Trophy Hunting" language into the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) that currently doesn't exist.
-Sets the penalties for the violation of the proposed statutes at the misdemeanor level and imposes license suspesion penalties outside the existing suspension system.

#101

-As highlighted above-allows for a 2 week season contrary to what exists currently.
-Also introduces "Trophy Hunting" language to CRS.
-Reguires turning over all "Trophy" parts to CPW. Allowing the hunter to keep only the meat.
-Makes all violations of the proposed statutes felonies-including assisting someone in the harvest-this would elimnate outfitters. Most wildlife violations in Colorado are
misdemeanors.


Again, here is a link to Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (CRWM) https://savethehuntcolorado.com/

Who knows what will end up being on the ballot, but CRWM are the ones fully engaged in this fight. Here is your chance as a sportsman to contribute to this fight and stop this BS ballot box biology!

I also came across the website for the group spearheading this. https://catsarenttrophies.org/ Isn't that cute. Why did I include them here:

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will
also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

They are looking for volunteers to help gather signatures. Maybe there are some folks inclined to "Monkeywrench" their effort.

LHS