Colorado To Vote On Initiative #91: A Wildcat Hunting Ban

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

This November, Colorado residents will vote on a proposed ban on hunting wild cats and mountain lions, initiated by local animal rights activists

Fox News reached out to the Colorado State Office and was assured that Proposed Initiative #91, “Prohibit Trophy Hunting,” had already obtained the necessary signatures to be placed on the 2024 primaries ballot.

This means the decision will be left to the voters.

CATs: The Group Behind Initiative #91B

At over 200,000 signatures, the proposal reached this point with the backing of CATs (Cats Aren’t Trophies). According to Todd Atkins at the Sportsmen Alliance, the extremist animal group allegedly used many dishonest methods to obtain signatures. 

“They buy signatures, slander hunters and trappers, disrespect Colorado’s professional wildlife managers, and lie to the faces of well-meaning Coloradans,” Atkins alleged.

Decisions like Initiative #91 should not be made by those not involved in the wildlife world, argues Torin Miller, a council member at Sportsmen Alliance. 

“Ballot box biology does not work. It’s irresponsible, and it negatively impacts wildlife, ecosystems, and people,” Miller said.

Negative Impacts Of Initiative #91

Many people in Colorado are unaware of the problems caused by Initiative #91. They do not have the same contextual information that hunters and trappers have. 

It was a ballot vote like this that led to “reintroducing” grey wolves to the state last year.

“It’s unfortunate that emotions – especially those conjured by deceit – are tying the hands of wildlife professionals,” Miller said, “while everyone in Colorado is forced to suffer the potentially deadly consequences of extremism of this type.”

Existing Laws On Wildcat Hunting

Laws already exist to govern the hunting of these wildcats, according to KRDO. Federal and state laws protect lynx, making them illegal to hunt.

Passing the bill would completely ban hunting mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats. If passed, killing one could lead to hefty fines of up to $1,000, and jail time of up to 364 days.

This becomes especially concerning when self-defense is taken into account. These animals are known to prey on farm animals and even small children. 

Hunters, farmers, and all Coloradans need the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can retaliate against predators.

The Initiative #91 Goal

Voting “yes” on Initiative #91 would make it 100% illegal to hunt these wildcats. The extremist group CATs wants the bill to be passed. 

Samantha Miller, a manager at CATs, claimed that Initiative #91 will prevent the “needless killing of mountain lions and bobcats for their heads and beautiful fur coats.”

This is the objective of CATs. To “protect” animals that we need protecting against. 

“The simple truth is they couldn’t care less about the lives they put in danger by pushing this radical ideology,” Atkins said. 

A Colorado Call To Action

Most of us hunters in the country can do little besides stand by and watch. But in Colorado, you can vote against Initiative #91.

READ MORE: Colorado Governor Releases Cattle-Killing Wolves

 A “No” vote on the ballot won’t remove existing restrictions on wildcat hunting in the state. But if the bill passes, those restrictions will skyrocket. 

Be proactive. Do your research on Initiative #91. If you live in Colorado or know someone there, spread the word. And when November rolls around, you know which box to check.