Hunting has been in the crosshairs of several groups in recent years, but this election cycle brought hunting policy to the forefront of many minds, hunters and not.
In Colorado, Proposition 127 attempted to ban the hunting of big cats in the state. In Florida, Amendment 2 aimed to protect the right to hunt and fish.
Where we landed was a wave of support for hunters and anglers. Colorado will continue to allow the hunting of big cats, while Floridians voted to protect hunting and fishing as a right.
FAILED: Colorado Proposition 127
Proposition 127 Fails to Prohibit Hunting of Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Lynx Initiative
Voters in Colorado have decided against Proposition 127, keeping the hunting of big cats, including mountain lions and bobcats, legally permissible. According to the proposition, trophy hunting would have been defined as any intentional killing, wounding, pursuing, or trapping of big cats, except when necessary to defend human life, property, or livestock.
However, opponents, including numerous wildlife specialists, contended that banning the hunting of these predators could lead to unintended impacts on other wildlife populations.
“Coloradans stood up for science and sound wildlife management by voting against Proposition 127,” Dan Gates of Coloradans For Responsible Wildlife Management said in a statement Wednesday morning. “This result reflects the voices of those who recognize the importance of letting wildlife experts, not the ballot box, guide decisions on the conservation of Colorado’s big cats.”
PASSED: Florida Amendment 2
Florida Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment
Amendment 2 was proposed to preserve “forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods.” The amendment goes on to state that hunting and fishing would be the “preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”
Floridians took to the polls, overwhelmingly voting in support of the bill.
We spoke with the Executive Director of All Florida, Travis Thompson, this morning about this historic win.
“We’ve dreamed and talked about and worked on this idea for so long; to see it come to fruition is surreal. To know that generations we won’t know will have the opportunity to fish and hunt is one of the best legacies we can leave our state, and Floridians chose that legacy last night,” Thompson said.
