Having banned the use of legholds and conibears throughout the state , Colorado mandates live traps be used to take furbearers .
Overall , sportsmen nationwide have won 16 of the 35 ballot initiatives . There is a clear trend when it comes to Sportsmen ’ s Alliance involvement and the outcome of these battles . When the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance is heavily involved and running a campaign , there ’ s a 72 percent chance of victory , compared to a 17 percent chance when we only have a minor role or aren ’ t involved .
Commissions and Legislatures State legislature attempts keep us busy every season with 2023 being a relatively quiet year at 87 trapping-related bills according to the Fiscal Note heat map that can be found on our website .
Ballot initiatives are expensive , so it is common to see attacks on our way of life at different state levels first . State game commissions and legislative bodies of government are also battle grounds for sportsmen .
What failed as a ballot measure in Montana soared through the legislative process ( due often to underhanded tactics and procedures ) in New Mexico when trapping on public lands became unlawful with Gov . Grisham ’ s signature in 2021 .
The silver lining is sportsmen can have a big impact on these levels . Fights at the commission and state legislative levels are more tangible and come with more action items . Public meetings are usually held , and citizens can share their thoughts . The people making the decisions have no choice but to be a captive audience and listen to what sportsmen have to say . Comparing that to a ballot measure would be like putting every individual voter in a room with a sportsman before they cast their vote .
No matter what level the attacks come from , the impacts are felt in the lives of sportsmen . The threat of the loss of heritage and of disconnection from the natural world is on the landscape every year across this country . Many times , these attempts are so coordinated that you can see the warning signs as opinion articles coincidentally start showing up concerning the ethics of trapping or , more recently , the trophy hunting theme , especially when it comes to big cats . Keep your eyes peeled , and your young ones engaged . Teach them what you know now , not only because the threat of losing knowledge is real , but also because the better educated we are , the more likely it is we are able to keep our trapping heritage alive .
COLORADO ' S BALLOT BOX MESS
Everyone ’ s an expert . A phrase usually stated with sincere sarcasm , it is what the activists depend on when pushing their agendas . Rather than leave wildlife decisions to trained biologists , anti-hunters take advantage of the ballot box and high emotions — and Colorado has been a easy target for more than 30 years .
1992
Colorado Amendment 10 passed with 69.7 percent of votes and prohibited the taking of black bears by bait or dogs at any time , and any taking of bears between March 1 and Sept . 1 .
1996
Colorado Amendment 14 passed with 52.1 percent of votes and prohibited the use of leghold , instant kill , body grip , snares and poisons throughout the state , with few exceptions for crop and livestock damage permits .
2020
Colorado Proposition 114 passed with 50.91 percent of the vote , forcing Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reintroduce and manage gray wolves .
2024 ?
The anti-hunting forces are attempting to qualify a near-outright ban on mountain lion and bobcat hunting and trapping under multiple guises , primarily by including the language of “ trophy hunting ” in the title and messaging .
WINTER 2024 19