Colorado considering banning varmint hunting

Brian in Oregon · 03-27-08, 10:53 AM

From www.varminthunters.com - Colorado varmint hunting ban thread

VarminterCO
Junior Member

Angry Colorado Wildlife Commission to ban varmint hunting

Gentlemen,

I am going around to the forums to notify us in the community that the Colorado Wildlife Commission is seriously considering banning varmint hunting in CO. On their website it states: "a citizen petition was introduced for banning the shooting of prairie dogs."

CommissonHome - Colorado Division of Wildlife

I have been in touch with the Commissioners (Roy McAnally & Dennis G. Buechler) about this.

I can only ask that residents of CO act quickly and explain the situation to the commission. As it is now, they view it as live 'target practice' which they find "reprehensible in every aspect". They have already succeeded in getting Sportsman's Warehouse to pull many "Varmint Hunting' videos from it's shelves.

The petition can be viewed here. Your help is crucial at this moment would be greatly appreciated.

-Michael

"...target shooting animals reprehensible" - Here is a link to the actual legal petition declaring varmint hunting is not hunting but "target shooting live animals" equating it to animal cruelty.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonl...iveTargets.pdf

calphi27 · 03-27-08, 11:13 AM

All thanks to these DU students working on a school project.

Jessica Torbin, Student Attorney
Rebecca Wimmer, Student Attorney
Jay Tutchton, Supervising Attorney
Environmental Law Clinic
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
2255 E. Evans Ave.
Denver, Colo. 80208
Ph: 303-871-7870
Fax: 303-871-6991
E-Mail: jtutchton@law.du.edu

Sno bored · 03-27-08, 11:15 AM

You should contact them and threaten to sue them.

Brian in Oregon · 03-27-08, 11:46 AM

Activists put prairie dog shoots in the cross-hairs
By Todd Hartman - Rocky Mountain News

Originally published 10:34 p.m., March 12, 2008
Updated 10:34 p.m., March 12, 2008

Wildlife activists want to put an end to using prairie dogs for "target practice, and amusement" saying the activity has no relation to hunting, involves no fair chase and amounts to animal cruelty.

WildEarth Guardians, with help from students at the University of Denver law school, are petitioning the Colorado Wildlife Commission, arguing that the actions of some prairie dog shooters bear no resemblance to those of ethical hunters, calling it an "abomination" and "sadistic."

To bolster their case, the groups cite gruesome videos produced by prairie dog shooters celebrating the "carnival of carnage" associated with killing and blowing apart the creatures.

One promotional site for such films says: "You will wear out the rewind button on your remote. You'll see hundreds of graphic kills, including the only quadruple (4 dogs with 1 shot) ever caught on video!"

Such activity, WildEarth Guardians argues, doesn't qualify as "hunting," in part because the animals' meat and hides are left to waste on the ground. That means that activity shouldn't be protected by the hunting exemption to Colorado's animal cruelty laws, the petition says.

WildEarth Guardians is slated to make its case to the wildlife commission Thursday. It's the second attempt for activists, who failed to convince commissioners to ban the practice in 2002.

The group's petition also argues that lead residue from massive prairie dogs shoots proves fatal to raptors and other scavengers, and that praire dogs play a critical role in the ecosystem, supporting numerous other animals that prey on them and make use of their burrows.

Activists will likely meet resistance. Farmers and ranchers argue that prairie dogs need to be controlled because they can damage rangeland. Shooting is one way to trim their numbers, said Terry Fankhauser, executive vice president for the Colorado Cattlemen's Association.

Seth Taylor of Durango said he'd oppose any ban. A firearms dealer at a local sporting goods store, Taylor said he "enjoys" shooting prairie dogs once or twice a week. "I just go out there and have fun with it," he said.

"They should have named them prairie rats instead of prairie dogs," Taylor said, adding that farmers ask him to come on their land and shoot them. "They are a nuisance. They burrow holes into the ground, tear up fields."

Some prairie dogs shooters have inflamed animal rights groups with rhetoric of great joy in seeing the animals explode, creating the highly sought after "red mist" or "varmint vapor" effect of a burst of blood. Videos depicting such scenes have been filmed in Colorado, activists said.

But Colorado hunting groups, as well as the cattlemen's association, have said such bloodlust attitudes aren't shared by most sportsmen. Fankhauser called the views "reprehensible."

The Colorado Division of Wildlife in 1997 restricted contest shooting of small game following outcries over events like the Top Dog World Championship Prairie Dog Shoot in Nucla, where in 1994 hunters shot 3,200 burrowing mammals.

State rules limit the take of small game to no more than five of each species in a contest. But nothing prevents unlimited shooting of prairie dogs on private land when no contest is held.

"Most of the prairie dog hunting I'm aware of is landowners making sure they're not causing problems," said DOW spokesman Tyler Baskfield. "If I had to categorize that crowd (who glorify shooting the creatures), I'd say it's a small, small subculture. ... Most sportsmen would have an issue with that being called hunting." (NOTE THE ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER)

bigndn · 03-27-08, 12:17 PM

That sucks. It's more humane than poison, IMO, AND WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY MORE FUN!!!!

Those commie type rainbows need to experience the sheer joy brought about by the red mist!! There's nothing better than seeing a head stick up out of a hole and with 1 good shot, pulling the twitching body out of the ground like a giant suction cup!

splitshot · 03-27-08, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

That sucks. It's more humane than poison, IMO, AND WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY MORE FUN!!!!

Those commie type rainbows need to experience the sheer joy brought about by the red mist!! There's nothing better than seeing a head stick up out of a hole and with 1 good shot, pulling the twitching body out of the ground like a giant suction cup!

Lol, Chad, you need some pics to go with that description.

bigndn · 03-27-08, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitshot

Lol, Chad, you need some pics to go with that description.

IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE THE SMILE ON MY FACE!!!!!!!

I think I have an erection.

Atoyot1031 · 03-27-08, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitshot

Lol, Chad, you need some pics to go with that description.

That is freakin' hilarious! Why can't tree huggers find humor in that?!?

bigndn · 03-27-08, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

That sucks. It's more humane than poison, IMO, AND WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY MORE FUN!!!!

Those commie type rainbows need to experience the sheer joy brought about by the red mist!! There's nothing better than seeing a head stick up out of a hole and with 1 good shot, pulling the twitching body out of the ground like a giant suction cup!

I forgot to add:

Then you can shoot the next two or three dumbasses who try to come out and pull their dead buddy back into the hole for some ass-rape. Those canabalistic little fawks alllllll need to die!!!

Fly Rod · 03-27-08, 04:07 PM

So basically, they don't think WE should have fun while hunting? Give me a break! There are a ton of things that would have a much greater impact on society if they got them out lawed. Lets start with smoking and alchohol. Oh wait, they enjoy drinking and smoking. I guess if they like it, so what if thousands of americans die each year so they can have fun... I am just saying.

Skillet · 03-27-08, 04:29 PM

Ridiculous.

Next thing you know they will ban coyote hunting.

bigndn · 03-27-08, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Friggin' ridiculous.

Next thing you know they will ban coyote hunting.

Just until a 'yote comes into their yard and eats Fluffy the pomeranian.

Skillet · 03-27-08, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

Just until a 'yote comes into their yard and eats Fluffy the pomeranian.

Exachary. Now, edit my f-bomb out of there, Dan will holler at me.

Atoyot1031 · 03-27-08, 05:03 PM

Skillet, wasn't it yesterday when I was asserting that Colorado is pretty normal? I take it back...

Skillet · 03-27-08, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

Skillet, wasn't it yesterday when I was asserting that Colorado is pretty normal? I take it back...

Squirrel lovers infiltrate all states.

2damslow · 03-27-08, 06:58 PM

Colofornia? I think Colorado has been getting much more gay over the last decade. I think that Brokeback movie stirred them up in ways they dont yet fully understand.

inthewall · 03-27-08, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitshot

Lol, Chad, you need some pics to go with that description.

I see no suffering. That was instant lights out.

Bogo · 03-27-08, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Ridiculous.

Next thing you know they will ban coyote hunting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

Just until a 'yote comes into their yard and eats Fluffy the pomeranian.

Hehe. Here in Iowa when the mountain lions existence in the state became generally known to the general population there was a call to protect them. Then one was spotted by more than a few people a couple times in a West Des Moines park. Suddenly there was silence....

splitshot · 03-28-08, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE THE SMILE ON MY FACE!!!!!!!

I think I have an erection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

I forgot to add:

Then you can shoot the next two or three dumbasses who try to come out and pull their dead buddy back into the hole for some ass-rape. Those canabalistic little fawks alllllll need to die!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Ridiculous.

Next thing you know they will ban coyote hunting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigndn

Just until a 'yote comes into their yard and eats Fluffy the pomeranian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Exachary. Now, edit my f-bomb out of there, Dan will holler at me.

LMAO!

ferg · 03-29-08, 09:00 PM

Think that's bad, the PRK has made lead-based ammo illegal in a large part of the state. Now they are trying to push for no coyote, ground squirell, jack rabbit with lead rimfire ammo. Ever see any rimfire without lead?

They can't keep the 'yotes in check as it is and now no ammo. STUPID!

wob · 03-31-08, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inthewall

I see no suffering. That was instant lights out.

I dunno, look at those first two pics.

Here, he's like "ho hum, just another day on the prairie"

Now, it looks like he's saying "fuuuuuuuuuuu...."

TJDIV · 03-31-08, 09:45 AM

well...I see two sides of this story that aren't going to get along~

IMO...pretty boring life you lead to take pics of shooting something. "I want the pink mist"...

I do agree that banning varmint hunting is foolish.
It's varmint "control"....

bigndn · 03-31-08, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJDIV

IMO...pretty boring life you lead to take pics of shooting something. "I want the pink mist"...

Sorry you feel that way. IMO, a pretty boring life would be owning a gym. "Dude, check this out......I'm going for 420."

You do your thing, and I'll do mine. K?

I just don't have a high speed camera.

03-27-08, 10:53 AM	#1
Brian in Oregon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,053	Colorado considering banning varmint hunting From www.varminthunters.com - Colorado varmint hunting ban thread VarminterCO Junior Member Angry Colorado Wildlife Commission to ban varmint hunting Gentlemen, I am going around to the forums to notify us in the community that the Colorado Wildlife Commission is seriously considering banning varmint hunting in CO. On their website it states: "a citizen petition was introduced for banning the shooting of prairie dogs." CommissonHome - Colorado Division of Wildlife I have been in touch with the Commissioners (Roy McAnally & Dennis G. Buechler) about this. I can only ask that residents of CO act quickly and explain the situation to the commission. As it is now, they view it as live 'target practice' which they find "reprehensible in every aspect". They have already succeeded in getting Sportsman's Warehouse to pull many "Varmint Hunting' videos from it's shelves. The petition can be viewed here. Your help is crucial at this moment would be greatly appreciated. -Michael "...target shooting animals reprehensible" - Here is a link to the actual legal petition declaring varmint hunting is not hunting but "target shooting live animals" equating it to animal cruelty. http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonl...iveTargets.pdf __________________ 1971 FJ40 w/ Chevy 350, Mark's of Australia bellhousing kit, 1979 4-spd transmission & transfer case, 12.50x33x15 tires. Rust free, original paint, wheel wells not cut. Pumpernickel mit Saurerkrauten from der Delicatessen, mit Liverwurst, Hassenpfeffer, und der Chattanooga Choo-Choo! Gesundheit!

03-27-08, 11:13 AM	#2
calphi27 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 793	All thanks to these DU students working on a school project. Jessica Torbin, Student Attorney Rebecca Wimmer, Student Attorney Jay Tutchton, Supervising Attorney Environmental Law Clinic University of Denver, Sturm College of Law 2255 E. Evans Ave. Denver, Colo. 80208 Ph: 303-871-7870 Fax: 303-871-6991 E-Mail: jtutchton@law.du.edu __________________ 1990 FJ62 aka -HogMauler- (OME Med-SR-ARB Bull Bar-SROR Sliders) TLCA# 11319 1995 Saab 9k Aero (Custom intake and exhaust) ----- HOPKINS BAY RESORT ----- ---Ask Me About Getting An iPhone or a Wii---

03-27-08, 11:46 AM	#4
Brian in Oregon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,053	Activists put prairie dog shoots in the cross-hairs By Todd Hartman - Rocky Mountain News Originally published 10:34 p.m., March 12, 2008 Updated 10:34 p.m., March 12, 2008 Wildlife activists want to put an end to using prairie dogs for "target practice, and amusement" saying the activity has no relation to hunting, involves no fair chase and amounts to animal cruelty. WildEarth Guardians, with help from students at the University of Denver law school, are petitioning the Colorado Wildlife Commission, arguing that the actions of some prairie dog shooters bear no resemblance to those of ethical hunters, calling it an "abomination" and "sadistic." To bolster their case, the groups cite gruesome videos produced by prairie dog shooters celebrating the "carnival of carnage" associated with killing and blowing apart the creatures. One promotional site for such films says: "You will wear out the rewind button on your remote. You'll see hundreds of graphic kills, including the only quadruple (4 dogs with 1 shot) ever caught on video!" Such activity, WildEarth Guardians argues, doesn't qualify as "hunting," in part because the animals' meat and hides are left to waste on the ground. That means that activity shouldn't be protected by the hunting exemption to Colorado's animal cruelty laws, the petition says. WildEarth Guardians is slated to make its case to the wildlife commission Thursday. It's the second attempt for activists, who failed to convince commissioners to ban the practice in 2002. The group's petition also argues that lead residue from massive prairie dogs shoots proves fatal to raptors and other scavengers, and that praire dogs play a critical role in the ecosystem, supporting numerous other animals that prey on them and make use of their burrows. Activists will likely meet resistance. Farmers and ranchers argue that prairie dogs need to be controlled because they can damage rangeland. Shooting is one way to trim their numbers, said Terry Fankhauser, executive vice president for the Colorado Cattlemen's Association. Seth Taylor of Durango said he'd oppose any ban. A firearms dealer at a local sporting goods store, Taylor said he "enjoys" shooting prairie dogs once or twice a week. "I just go out there and have fun with it," he said. "They should have named them prairie rats instead of prairie dogs," Taylor said, adding that farmers ask him to come on their land and shoot them. "They are a nuisance. They burrow holes into the ground, tear up fields." Some prairie dogs shooters have inflamed animal rights groups with rhetoric of great joy in seeing the animals explode, creating the highly sought after "red mist" or "varmint vapor" effect of a burst of blood. Videos depicting such scenes have been filmed in Colorado, activists said. But Colorado hunting groups, as well as the cattlemen's association, have said such bloodlust attitudes aren't shared by most sportsmen. Fankhauser called the views "reprehensible." The Colorado Division of Wildlife in 1997 restricted contest shooting of small game following outcries over events like the Top Dog World Championship Prairie Dog Shoot in Nucla, where in 1994 hunters shot 3,200 burrowing mammals. State rules limit the take of small game to no more than five of each species in a contest. But nothing prevents unlimited shooting of prairie dogs on private land when no contest is held. "Most of the prairie dog hunting I'm aware of is landowners making sure they're not causing problems," said DOW spokesman Tyler Baskfield. "If I had to categorize that crowd (who glorify shooting the creatures), I'd say it's a small, small subculture. ... Most sportsmen would have an issue with that being called hunting." (NOTE THE ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER) __________________ 1971 FJ40 w/ Chevy 350, Mark's of Australia bellhousing kit, 1979 4-spd transmission & transfer case, 12.50x33x15 tires. Rust free, original paint, wheel wells not cut. Pumpernickel mit Saurerkrauten from der Delicatessen, mit Liverwurst, Hassenpfeffer, und der Chattanooga Choo-Choo! Gesundheit! Last edited by Brian in Oregon; 03-27-08 at 11:53 AM.

03-27-08, 04:07 PM	#10
Fly Rod IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ashland, OR Posts: 1,078	So basically, they don't think WE should have fun while hunting? Give me a break! There are a ton of things that would have a much greater impact on society if they got them out lawed. Lets start with smoking and alchohol. Oh wait, they enjoy drinking and smoking. I guess if they like it, so what if thousands of americans die each year so they can have fun... I am just saying. __________________ Fly Rod '95 FZJ80 with stuff. I have a double handed rod... Jefferson State Cruisers

03-27-08, 04:29 PM	#11
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,367	Ridiculous. Next thing you know they will ban coyote hunting. __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank Last edited by Skillet; 03-27-08 at 04:43 PM. Reason: forgot I was in h&f

03-27-08, 11:15 AM	#3
Sno bored IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Breckenridge, CO TLCA# 15956 Posts: 364	You should contact them and threaten to sue them.

03-27-08, 05:03 PM	#14
Atoyot1031 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aspen, CO TLCA# 18402 Posts: 1,035	Skillet, wasn't it yesterday when I was asserting that Colorado is pretty normal? I take it back...

03-27-08, 06:58 PM	#16
2damslow IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: hyrum Utah. Posts: 242	Colofornia? I think Colorado has been getting much more gay over the last decade. I think that Brokeback movie stirred them up in ways they dont yet fully understand. __________________ Some people really have a way with words... I am not have way.

03-29-08, 09:00 PM	#20
ferg IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PRK Posts: 19	Think that's bad, the PRK has made lead-based ammo illegal in a large part of the state. Now they are trying to push for no coyote, ground squirell, jack rabbit with lead rimfire ammo. Ever see any rimfire without lead? They can't keep the 'yotes in check as it is and now no ammo. STUPID! __________________ Some people are too busy knowing it all to ever learn anything.

03-31-08, 09:45 AM	#22
TJDIV IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 2,610 Blog Entries: 3	well...I see two sides of this story that aren't going to get along~ IMO...pretty boring life you lead to take pics of shooting something. "I want the pink mist"... I do agree that banning varmint hunting is foolish. It's varmint "control".... __________________ Genetics Load the Gun, Lifestyle Pulls the Trigger. Classic Toyota My Crazy Dog Ride Squaw Valley What are you "sinking" about? My Pics Mac VS PC