A court case in Douglas County, Colorado has the potential to establish a dangerous precedent that could be used to eliminate hunting on a large percentage of private property.
For many years, Paul and Nancy King have allowed elk hunting on their privately owned ranch in Castle Rock, Colorado. Castle Pines Village, a subdivision of approximately 3,700 residents that is managed by Castle Pines Homes Association, borders the western edge of the Kings’ ranch. The Association has filed a legal action against the Kings, asking the Court to permanently prohibit all future hunting on the Kings’ ranch.
The Association claims that hunting on the Kings’ property is a public nuisance and alleges that hunting causes a serious and unreasonable risk to the residents of Castle Pines Village. No incidents have occurred to support this claim. The entity was created after the King’s began to hunt their property. Despite this, a temporary restraining order, temporarily suspending hunting on the Kings’ ranch, has already been granted by the court.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission and Division of Wildlife (DOW) has intervened in the lawsuit, arguing that hunting regulations fall under its authority. The DOW, in its own review, ruled that hunting on the Kings property is a safe and effective wildlife management tool and should be permitted.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is closely monitoring the outcome of the case. Should the court grant the permanent injunction against the Kings, the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that could be used to eliminate hunting on private property in similar situations and substantially reduce a state wildlife agency’s ability to effectively manage wildlife. The USSA has always maintained that state wildlife agencies, not the courtroom, are the appropriate bodies to regulate hunting and to manage wildlife.
For many years, Paul and Nancy King have allowed elk hunting on their privately owned ranch in Castle Rock, Colorado. Castle Pines Village, a subdivision of approximately 3,700 residents that is managed by Castle Pines Homes Association, borders the western edge of the Kings’ ranch. The Association has filed a legal action against the Kings, asking the Court to permanently prohibit all future hunting on the Kings’ ranch.
The Association claims that hunting on the Kings’ property is a public nuisance and alleges that hunting causes a serious and unreasonable risk to the residents of Castle Pines Village. No incidents have occurred to support this claim. The entity was created after the King’s began to hunt their property. Despite this, a temporary restraining order, temporarily suspending hunting on the Kings’ ranch, has already been granted by the court.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission and Division of Wildlife (DOW) has intervened in the lawsuit, arguing that hunting regulations fall under its authority. The DOW, in its own review, ruled that hunting on the Kings property is a safe and effective wildlife management tool and should be permitted.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is closely monitoring the outcome of the case. Should the court grant the permanent injunction against the Kings, the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that could be used to eliminate hunting on private property in similar situations and substantially reduce a state wildlife agency’s ability to effectively manage wildlife. The USSA has always maintained that state wildlife agencies, not the courtroom, are the appropriate bodies to regulate hunting and to manage wildlife.
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