In reference to the mule deer population decline, the article indicated that hunters kill 35,000 to 40,000 deer per year. That averages out to approximately 100 deer per day. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department is considering “predator management where predation could be limiting deer survival including increased mountain lion and bear harvest in target areas and identifying potential sites for coyote control efforts.” Really?
Does CPW think that mountain lions, bears, and coyotes kill 35,000 deer a year? These animals kill deer for food, for survival. It is their natural instinct to hunt and kill for food. Human hunters who might perhaps eat the deer they kill, (in addition to having a trophy head on the wall), do it for sport, not for survival. The CPW indicates that “the (deer) population decline is not a hunter-specific problem.” Well, neither is it a natural predator-specific problem! But they think that “harvest” of natural predators is the right thing to do? Let's hope they come up with a plan where the mountain lions, bears, and coyotes aren't the scapegoats.
Suzanne Westgaard