(Colorado) "Hunter Boycott" Appears To Have Fizzled

[Robb]

AP reports via 7NEWS:

Colorado wildlife officials say despite threats that hunters planned to boycott Colorado because of new gun control laws, big game applications are up.

So far this year, big game applications have increased by 18,000 over the number in 2012. Colorado Parks and Wildlife processed 469,000 applications this spring, compared with 451,000 applications submitted in 2012.

The two most consequential gun-safety laws passed in Colorado this year, House Bill 1229 closing the so-called "background check loophole" on most transfers of guns, and House Bill 1224 restricting ammunition magazine capacity to 15 rounds, certainly received wide publicity among gun owners including hunters–as did the threats to boycott the state of Colorado in the wake of their passage. To be honest, based on the fever pitch of irrational outrage stoked over these bills, and misinformation spread around the country, we wouldn't have been at all surprised to have seen at least some drop in hunting license applications for the 2013 season.

So what happened? Why did the state in fact receive almost 20,000 more hunting license applications?

Well, when you get past the endless shrieking from the gun lobby, which was intended to irrationalize the entire debate and disseminate alarmist misinformation, these bills don't impact hunting. Hunters are already subject to strict limits on loaded ammunition, and the innumerable far-fetched scenarios pushed by opponents to the background check law simply don't apply to most people in the real world. The fact is, most hunters own their guns, and those who might borrow one are in most cases covered by the bill's exemptions....

Read More: http://coloradopols.com/diary/44281/hunter-boycott-appears-to-have-fizzled

[DonP]

1. So 20,000 more people with guns in Colorado's fields is a good thing I guess?

I never thought I'd see gun control fans applauding more people hunting with "high powered sniper style rifles".

[Botany]

3. Out west most people who hunt use high powered rifles w/scopes and those ...

.... license and permit fees will go for conservation of wild areas.

[Botany]

2. It will have the reverse effect because less hunters = more game and more game = more people who...

.... will want to hunt in a given area.

BTW hunters already work w/gun laws and limits on the amount and type
of ammunition they can have in their guns. The NRA does not speak for
the vast majority of hunters.

[rdharma]

4. So much for that scary gun-hugger threat......

[gejohnston]

5. what boycott?

So what happened? Why did the state in fact receive almost 20,000 more hunting license applications?

When was the deadline for the applications? Who called for a boycott? How many boycotts have you heard of actually working?

Well, when you get past the endless shrieking from the gun lobby, which was intended to irrationalize the entire debate and disseminate alarmist misinformation, these bills don't impact hunting.

No one ever said it did. The argument was that they were poorly written by out of state lobbyists and that Bloomberg threatened state Dems that he would money bomb them during re election. Did the writer intend to say disinformation or misinformation? Two different concepts.

Hunters are already subject to strict limits on loaded ammunition,

In Wyoming and Florida it is five in a detachable box magazine. But then, I don't think anyone made any such argument.

and the innumerable far-fetched scenarios pushed by opponents to the background check law simply don't apply to most people in the real world. The fact is, most hunters own their guns, and those who might borrow one are in most cases covered by the bill's exemptions....

what are the exemptions?

speaking of misinformation/disinformation. While the video makers may be spreading misinformation, they were victims of disinformation. BTW, any comments pointing out will be removed. Three, including mine, have been.

Which brings another question, why do pro control orgs on FB and YT censor or disable comments? Yet pro rights groups don't seen to?

[rdharma]

6. What boycott? ......... is RIGHT!

The "Blaze" predicted a big hit to the Colorado economy.

Not so much, eh?!!!

[gejohnston]

7. that explains it

it is something some blogger working for Glen Beck predicted based on nothing. So much for "new media".

[rdharma]

8. So much for the RW gun-huggers and their empty threats......(wishfull thinking)

I think they should have held their breath until they passed out. That's also a good "temper tantrum" technique!

[gejohnston]

9. I doubt it was a "gun hugger"

It was probably some 20 something in a cubicle in NYC or DC padding his resume for the National Enquirer. Did anyone actually call for a boycott? I haven't read of any such thing.

[rdharma]

10. "Did anyone actually call for a boycott?"

Don't get out much..... do you, ge?!!!

You REALLY missed all the RW predictions of financial destruction of Colorado after the various gun safety laws were passed?

[gejohnston]

11. I get out a lot

but I don't have cable, no Fox. While I read a wide variety of view points, I figured out the difference between intelligent people and sites I agree or disagree with vs inane bullshit. Beck told an writer for Forbes in an interview that he doesn't give a rat's ass about the political process and described himself as a "rodeo clown" (an insult to rodeo clowns, since they preform a necessary safety role. Beck would piss his pants at the sight of even a mellow Angus or Hereford steer. But then, WTF would a city kid from Salt Lake know about rodeo?) he and his "biz" is automatically labeled as inane bullshit.

[Eleanors38]

12. Da Blaze? You read that stuff? nt

[rdharma]

13. I know YOU do!

[Eleanors38]

14. And your source is....? I'll wait for the 5th edit, but not one thereafter! nt

[Jenoch]

15. I vaguely remember calls for a boycott of Colorado by out of state hunters.

What may have happened is that hunters not caring about a boycott probably thought they had a better chance of getting tags in their preferred areas so more applied for the tags.