Colorado group takes first step in ballot attempt to repeal wolf reintroduction program

[FuddRucker]

Colorado group takes first step in ballot attempt to repeal wolf reintroduction program

A Colorado-based group is hoping to get a ballot initiative to repeal the state's wolf reintroduction on the 2026 general election ballot.

www.yahoo.com

CO voters could get another crack at the Wolf issue...

 

[dsotm]

Probably too many liberal hipsters in Denver ruin it for the rest of the state

 

[wyogoat]

Probably too many liberal hipsters in Denver ruin it for the rest of the state

That’s true but somehow the cat thing didn’t pass so maybe there is some hope?

 

[JBahr]

I am excited about the opportunity and will volunteer to get signatures when that time comes. Considering the Prop 127 results and the mess the reintroduction was, people are waking up on predators. There's hope.

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I know my neighbor, a bit of a "crazy cat lady, regrets voting for the wolves. She came to me for my opinion on 127 and ultimately voted no. She mentioned she thought the wolf intro should stop. I was pretty surprised.

 

[wyogoat]

I am excited about the opportunity and will volunteer to get signatures when that time comes. Considering the Prop 127 results and the mess the reintroduction was, people are waking up on predators. There's hope.

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I know my neighbor, a bit of a "crazy cat lady, regrets voting for the wolves. She came to me for my opinion on 127 and ultimately voted no. She mentioned she thought the wolf intro should stop. I was pretty surprised.

What was it that opened her eyes to that and initiate the conversation? Something from the media?

 

[JFK]

Don’t make it about getting rid of wolves. Wolves were in Co before being formally introduced. They will likely continue to be there on some level. They just don’t need to be trucked in and given god-like status and protections. Prop 127 was a referendum on science-based state management of game species…make it about that and they stand a chance.

 

[JBahr]

What was it that opened her eyes to that and initiate the conversation? Something from the media?

Both she and her husband stand moderately on the left side of the political spectrum and they follow the Governor and his husband on socials. She is a vegetarian and is fully aware of my hunting background. We don't discuss politics too much but have civil discussions every now and then.

She saw all the fanfare about the releases late 2023 and the then all the ensuing articles about CPW and their struggles with locals. She put together that CPW had been put in a bad position because of the "Voters Will" and the Governor's urge to push the issue faster than necessary.

When prop 127 came out she realized the trend and made a point to come next door to ask my opinion. She was already leaning that the true science was being ignored. We discussed the North American model and she understood it. Even mentioned she respected that my family sourced meat that did not originate from a slaughterhouse.

Honestly as I type this it feels almost surreal, it happened though and if she can understand I think there is hope others can to.

 

[parshal]

I have a couple acquaintances that wish they did not vote for it. None had done any research prior to voting and, once they did after the fact, realized they shouldn't have.

 

[sndmn11]

I would rather see an initiative to repeal just the part about them being protected. Call them a non-game species. Simultaneously have an initiative for a constitutional right to hunt and fish to have the anti groups divide and dilute their opposition campaign funds.

 

[def90]

Yeah, there are a number of people that originally voted for it that would flip their votes if given a chance.

 

[cnelk]

Not to mention all the money being spent and money not spent due the ranchers

 

[mb6355]

This is the way to fight back against this ballot biology BS. Put them on the defensive instead of waiting around for whatever they try next. They should use the momentum from the prop 127 vote and try and get spring bear back next.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Repealing only 127 is just bailing out a sinking boat. Need to also prevent additional citizen measures in the future.

 

[3forks]

I think this initiative could gain momentum if it can be shown that the reintroduction is putting reintroduced wolves through a ton of man induced stress and it’s a doomed effort.

It needs to be emphasized that professional biologists did not endorse this effort, and it’s a contrived attempt to reintroduce a species on a dramatically changed landscape that has been unsuccessful, expensive, and that captured/reintroduced wolves are subjected to difficult life and can’t get established without continual interference from biologists.

Also, I think people who voted for the reintroduction would be swayed by evidence that biologists just can’t release the wolves from their kennels after being captured and that they immediately become a naturally and fully functioning part of the ecosystem.

The fact that ranchers/hunters, and anyone else who opposed the reintroduction have not interfered with the reintroduction despite the sweeping protections the wolves have had, have resulted in the deaths and necessary recapture of released wolves show that the introduction isn’t and won’t be successful.

 

[JBahr]

The fact that ranchers/hunters, and anyone else who opposed the reintroduction have not interfered with the reintroduction despite the sweeping protections the wolves have had, have resulted in the deaths and necessary recapture of released wolves show that the introduction isn’t and won’t be successful.

This might not be a fact... https://www.durangoherald.com/artic...llegal-killing-of-reintroduced-colorado-wolf/

Colorado wolf died from a gunshot, spurring a federal investigation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife say a gray wolf in Colorado was illegally shot and later died of the injury

abcnews.go.com

I don't necessarily trust the media considering the stakeholders involved, but it's out there.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I would rather see an initiative to repeal just the part about them being protected. Call them a non-game species. Simultaneously have an initiative for a constitutional right to hunt and fish to have the anti groups divide and dilute their opposition campaign funds.

Yep multi pronged attack so they have to go on the defensive on several fronts

 

[3forks]

This might not be a fact... https://www.durangoherald.com/artic...llegal-killing-of-reintroduced-colorado-wolf/

Colorado wolf died from a gunshot, spurring a federal investigation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife say a gray wolf in Colorado was illegally shot and later died of the injury

abcnews.go.com

I don't necessarily trust the media considering the stakeholders involved, but it's out there.

I ignored that point because I don’t personally believe that a gun shot wound wouldn’t be noticed or publicized.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I ignored that point because I don’t personally believe that a gun shot wound wouldn’t be noticed or publicized.

Chase woodruff is a commie shill. Call me crazy but this could be a lame attempt to drum up support for a highly unpopular policy when it is against the ropes…. Not saying it’s too much a stretch but also the wolf could have died for a myriad of reasons, or got tore up by a kitty like that other one that died

 

[parshal]

They're now reporting that two of the three dead wolves had been shot. 2309-OR from the Copper Creek pack that's the one being widely reported and 2307-OR.

"A second reintroduced wolf, known as 2307-OR, died in Grand County as a result of a fight with another wolf, but USFWS necropsy also found the animal had an “old, healed gunshot wound to its rear leg."

Given that hunting at night with thermals is legal in CO on private land, it's entirely possible these animals were mistaken for coyotes. I mean, we can't tell the difference between a coyote and gray fox in our thermals. Even though there's a dramatic difference in size between a gray fox and coyote they really don't look that different in a thermal. If we saw a wolf in a thermal it's probable we'd think it's a coyote. That's now not out of the realm of possibility out here in Elbert County. Wait until the general public understands that people hunt with thermals and that's gonna be huge news with wolf reintroductions.

 

[dylanvb]

They're now reporting that two of the three dead wolves had been shot. 2309-OR from the Copper Creek pack that's the one being widely reported and 2307-OR.

"A second reintroduced wolf, known as 2307-OR, died in Grand County as a result of a fight with another wolf, but USFWS necropsy also found the animal had an “old, healed gunshot wound to its rear leg."

Given that hunting at night with thermals is legal in CO on private land, it's entirely possible these animals were mistaken for coyotes. I mean, we can't tell the difference between a coyote and gray fox in our thermals. Even though there's a dramatic difference in size between a gray fox and coyote they really don't look that different in a thermal. If we saw a wolf in a thermal it's probable we'd think it's a coyote. That's now not out of the realm of possibility out here in Elbert County. Wait until the general public understands that people hunt with thermals and that's gonna be huge news with wolf reintroductions.

I'm curious if this is a wound that could have happened before released in CO and just gone unnoticed till the necropsy? I could see how the media would want it to sound like it happened in CO though.