🚀 go-pugleaf

Now that 197 has failed dramatically, can both the pro and ati 197
forces agree
on a few things?

There have been some changes in mountain lion management that have been
suggested that are sensible. A few are as follows:

1. More study. The pro-197 forces seemed to want lion numbers; I see
other
things as more important-lion population dynamics, responses of
transient lions to
humans, genetic diversity in isolated populations, emigration patterns
of transient
lions, predator/prey relationships, etc. All seem to agree that such
studies should
be funded with Prop. 117 Habitat Conservation Fund monies.

2. Clarification of DFG  policy. They seem to be unsure of their
capacities to act
under current law, so let's clarify it.

3. Public education. An 800 number for reporting lion
sightings/problems, staffed
24 hours/day and funded by Prop. 117 money has been suggested. And more
public education on lions and how to behave around them is always good.
Colorado has had great success with an education program created after
a few
lion incidents (including the death of a jogger) that has included
brochures,
lectures, billboards, etc.

These suggestions have been presented to the Legislature before-in
packages
that, because they did not allow sport hunting-were killed by the
hunting/gun
lobby.

One thing should be clear after this election. The majority of
Californians are not
willing to allow lions to be hunted for sport. Period. Can't the
gun/hunting lobby
accept this as a sign of the times, forget about trying to legislate
lion hunting, and
support (or at least not oppose) some really useful measures?

One can always hope...or dream.

Cris Waller
CrisW@ix.netcom.com