Survey reveals Colorado views on hunting mountain lions, black bears – Colorado State University

By Jayme DeLoss
Coloradans’ support for hunting varies depending on the purpose of the hunt, according to a new Colorado State University survey. Most Coloradans disapprove of hunting mountain lions and black bears for trophies or sport but are more supportive of hunting to protect human safety or reduce impacts on livestock. 
Researchers at CSU’s Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence and Animal-Human Policy Center found that Colorado residents were evenly split in their approval of mountain lion and black bear hunting in general. However, most survey respondents disapproved of hunting mountain lions and black bears for trophies, hide or fur, and recreation.  
According to the results, 78% of residents disapproved of trophy hunting for mountain lions, and 86% disapproved of trophy hunting for black bears. Coloradans supported hunting mountain lions and black bears to protect human safety – 63% and 57%, respectively – and 56% approved of hunting mountain lions to reduce potential impacts on livestock. 
Regulated hunting is often used to manage large carnivores but is a contentious topic in wildlife management and conservation.  
“Ethical concerns are at the heart of the ongoing debate about hunting large carnivores, which the general public often views as charismatic animals hunted for trophies rather than food,” said Benjamin Ghasemi, who led the study as a postdoctoral researcher at CSU. 
Mountain lions, also known as cougars or puma, are legally hunted in all Western states except California. Black bears are hunted in most states where they live. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 502 mountain lions were killed during the state’s 2022-23 hunting season, and 1,299 black bears were killed in 2023. CPW estimates that 3,800-4,400 adult mountain lions and 17,000-20,000 black bears live in the state. 
According to CPW, most mountain lions in Colorado are taken with the aid of dogs, which chase and tree or corner them. Electronic devices that broadcast recorded animal sounds to lure mountain lions were previously permitted in areas of the Western Slope but were banned earlier this year. The survey found that 88% of Coloradans disapproved of hunting mountain lions with dogs, and 75% disapproved of using electronic calls. 
Responses were gathered in 2022 through two public mail-back surveys. Samples were weighted to be representative of state population demographics – age, gender, urbanization level, geographical region and hunting participation. 
The survey demonstrated links between socio-demographic variables and perceptions toward hunting. Men, hunters and those who identified as Republican were more likely to support mountain lion and black bear hunting. 
“This study lends valuable insight into attitudes toward hunting mountain lions and black bears, and other large carnivores, in Colorado,” said Kevin Crooks, study co-author and director of the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence. “Understanding the diversity of public perception on this controversial issue can help inform management and conservation efforts for these species.”   
The CSU study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, adds to growing evidence that public views toward hunting are shifting in the United States, said Rebecca Niemiec, co-author and director of the Animal-Human Policy Center.  
“An increasing share of Americans believe humans should coexist with carnivores and oppose lethal control for human benefit,” she said. 
The Animal-Human Policy Center was created in 2023 to help policymakers and government agencies promote positive relationships between people and animals by conducting social science research and facilitating discussions among policymakers, agency officials and diverse stakeholders. 
The Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, founded in 2020, is focused on integrating science, education and outreach to reduce conflict and facilitate coexistence between humans and carnivores, including in Colorado. 
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