ABQjournal: Rep. Introduces Cougar Hunting Measure, By Jeff Jones, Journal Staff Writer

A northeastern New Mexico lawmaker wants to declare open season on mountain lions.

Rep. Brian Moore, R-Clayton, is sponsoring legislation to remove cougars from the state’s list of game species, meaning they could be shot year-round and a hunting license would no longer be required to kill them. …

“We’re not trying to eradicate them. We’re just kind of bringing it into some kind of balance,” Moore said.

Lisa Jennings, executive director of Animal Protection Voters, criticized the bill, saying it “asks the people to support a free-for-all.”

We only have the vaguest idea how many cougars live in New Mexico, in spite of a 10 year study that was shelved on receipt. Now, we’re going to let anyone kill any cougar anytime without any record of that killing — smart, Rep. Moore, real smart. Let’s not even consider that environmental degradation is responsible for the decline of deer and elk. Let’s blame the cougar. Cougars kill the weakest, making the herd stronger; men kill the strongest, making the herd weaker.

Here we are, debating whether to allow cock-fighting to continue, while we open the slaughter of this magnificent beast. Show your humanity — tame the beast in your heart. mjh

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Representative: Brian K. Moore
District: 67
County(s): Cur,Hard,Quay,Roose,S.M. & Union
Party: Republican
Occupation: Grocer
Address: Box 56
Clayton, NM 88415
Capitol Office Phone: 986-4467
Office Phone: 374-9681
Home Phone: 374-2312
E-mail: brian@ranchmkt.com

Track HB47
REMOVE COUGARS FROM REGULATED GAME LIST
Sponsor: Brian K. Moore
Current Location: House Government & Urban Affairs