The opposition is wrong! Proposition 197 has nothing to do with trophy hunting. It is about restoring common sense to wildlife management.
Current law prohibits the Department of Fish and Game from doing its job of managing California's wildlife and controlling the mountain lion population explosion. Proposition 197 requires experts at the Department adopt a sensible approach to wildlife management.
Nature is a precious resource, but because the lion population has recently doubled, the delicate balance has been shattered. Look at some alarming incidents recently reported by the media:
Two small children woke up one morning without a mother because a lion ate her;
A lion preying upon neighborhood pets was found with parts of five different puppies in its stomach;
Some schools have had to cancel recess because lions were found to be lurking around the playground.
It is time to let the experts at Fish and Game do their job--they must be allowed to manage the lion. These are not bloodthirsty hunters. These are experts concerned about preserving and protecting California's precious environmental balance.
Wildlife experts and biologists are responsible for managing all species. The mountain lion is preventing them from doing their job. They must manage the lion population to save the thousands of deer, elk, and endangered bighorn sheep being eaten each year.
The Department of Fish and Game and wildlife experts agree--We need Proposition 197 to restore common sense to wildlife management. Cast your vote for the environment. Vote yes on Proposition 197.
TERRENCE M. EAGAN
Former Undersecretary, California Resources Agency
WAYNE LONG
Former Chairman, California Resource
Conservation Commission
STEVEN J. ARROYO
Father of Mountain Lion Attack Victim