Whatever name you use, mountain lion, cougar, or puma, this generally quiet, calm, and elusive animal deserves our respect and protection. Mountain lions generally live in remote, primitive country with adequate cover. Mountain lion/human interactions have increased, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and one of the reasons are more people are using hiking and running trails in lion habitat. CPW notes lion attacks are rare and are often caused by young lions.
CPW is moving forward with their draft of the West Slope Management Plan. The Humane Society of the United States asserts “while the updated plan will enforce some necessary limits on trophy hunting of mountain lions, it would also allow hunters to use electronic calls, which are currently illegal, as well as trophy hunting of lions during peak birthing season, putting kittens at serious risk of being orphaned or killed.”
The vast majority of Colorado residents do not support trophy hunting. This plan merely caters to the hunter’s sport and not to the needs of our wildlife and fragile ecosystems in the state. We must act now! Email the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission at dnr_cpwcommission@state.co.us and tell them you DO NOT support the trophy hunting of mountain lions, including electric calls and during peak birthing season.