Friend, when I was born the US population was around 135 million and it’s a shade over 300 million now. Just where do you suggest the increased population are supposed to live?
Being an NRA member and vegetarian doesn’t seem to have given you a lot of common sense. As our population has increased so have the number of animal rights activists. In CA the cougar was protected by ballot initiative in the early 90’s by those animal rights activists playing to the emotions of the electorate.
In areas that were built up in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s in So CA they are now having mountain lion encounters between them and humans and their pets. The lions have lost their fear of man due to the lions over population and being forced to live in close proximity to man.
I believe if the mountain lions causing problems around Boulder, CO were thinned it would help instill the fear of man in the remaining ones. I also believe it’s worth a try because shooting beanbags at lions and/or ignoring the problem like the CO DOW has done is going to get someone killed.
>> ... if the mountain lions causing problems around Boulder, CO were thinned it would help instill the fear of man in the remaining ones.
No, “thinning” would not do it. Here’s what would - preschool. “Mr. Kitty, the lesson for today is STFAFH” (Stay the F**k away from Humans).
1/ Capture Mr. Kitty with muscle immobilizing dart. Do NOT tranquilize.
2/ Traumatize: Yell, beat with boards and tire irons, fire pistols, sear skin with blowtorches, display Sierra Club photos, etc. Broken ribs are an added plus - they are a gift that keeps on giving. (I know.)
3/ Truck Mr. Kitty up into the hills; unceremoniously dump him off. Hope that he doesn’t return.
4/ If he returns, he is shot on sight. The carcass is dragged to an isolated spot. After a quick autopsy, all members present urinate and defecate on the remains and depart. Message to other cats: beware; the two-legged animal is the top predator.