Take Action Today! Colorado sportsmen are encouraged to contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and let them know to oppose any petition that would ban bobcat trapping or hunting. Colorado members can contact the commission by clicking on this email: [email protected].
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission has postponed the hearing on a citizen’s petition that would ban recreational and commercial trapping and hunting of bobcats. The initial hearing was set for Jan. 9, but the commission decided that “there is insufficient time” to review the petition and prepare material in such a short timeframe. With this delay, the earliest the petition could now be heard would be in March, but a final decision has not been made.
In our initial alert on Dec. 17, we highlighted the fact that this citizen’s petition aims to stop bobcat hunting and trapping under the guise of protecting threatened species. In the past, animal-rights groups have tried to use the Canada lynx’s federally protected status as a tool to stop bobcat hunting and trapping in several states. The argument has been soundly rejected by wildlife biologists, as well as the courts.
Colorado already has some of the most restrictive laws in place for trapping as a result of Initiative 14, a ballot measure approved by voters in 1996. The initiative banned commonly used trapping methods, including: snares, leghold and conibear traps. Currently, trappers are only able to use box, cage or live traps to harvest bobcats. These types of traps do not kill or harm animals, and trappers can release any animal caught in the trap and prevent accidental take.
“Even though the hearing date on this petition has been pushed back, it is not dead,” said Luke Houghton, associate director of state services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Colorado hunters and trappers should continue to contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and ask them to oppose this petition.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.