Vote ‘No’ on 83

Editor:

I've hunted and fished in Colorado for over 50 years, and I do have an elk tag this year. I've been a member of a number of sportsmen organizations and worked closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). I've also worked on the protection of public lands and rivers during these 50 years, and I oppose Amendment 83.

Amendment 83 and its supporters are crying that the PETA folks are antihunting. But 84 is not about antihunting. The Sportsmen Party survey shows 84% of Americans say it's OK for other people to hunt. A new national survey of more than 2,200 Americans found that 84% believe it’s OK for other people to hunt legally, even if they don’t personally hunt.

Amendment 83 is being promoted by an individual who is a trapper. This individual is in a street fight with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on the reduction of trapping of furbearers where there is very little scientific information on populations and habitats. As a sportsman, I have never supported trapping. It is a waste of key wildlife species and public wildlife resources.

Please vote “No” on 83.

Jerry Mallett

Salida