Colorado Proposes Killing More Bears, Mountain Lions To Increase Mule Deer Population

Officials say mule deer population falls 110,000 short

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials want to kill up to 15 more mountain lions and 25 more black bears a year. They propose this to help save the state’s dwindling mule deer population. The Denver Post reports the killing would be done during spring when fawns are most vulnerable. Predator control would only happen in areas where wildlife biologists have “evidence predation may be the primary limiting factor for mule deer,” said Jerry Neal, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman.

According to state data, hunters in Colorado kill up to 1,364 bears and 467 mountain lions a year. This is more than other western states. The numbers are also double from a decade ago. Colorado ranks third behind Idaho and Montana. State data show the statewide population has decreased from 614,000 in 2005 to 450,000. This is well below the target population of 560,000. The predator control would start this winter. Yathin S. Krishnappa Wikipedia photo