RMNP has to cull elk because they like hanging out where they can't be hunted and overcrowd the local ecosystems where hunters cannot reach them. They are very intelligent and they know the seasons and the regions where they can be preyed upon by man. You'd think the world was covered in elk the week before rifle season starts, then they go to ground.
I agree traps aren't as humane, that's why we practice our marksmanship with "high powered rifles with optics" so that our shots land true and there is minimal pain and suffering.
RMNP has to cull elk because we lost the natural top predator in the ecosystem (the wolf). With this comes the chronic wasting disease (which has now spread across the west).
We don't have wolves because of the rancher and hunter lobby. The majority of the public in Colorado supports wolf reintroduction.
Fortunately, this is going to change, whether they want it or not: the wolves travel large distances and have already appeared in Colorado. I would not be surprised if somebody would actually transfer or release some sanctuary animals. The Wind Rivers has wolves, then it's 100-150 miles to Snowy Range and then the Front Range is right there. Just give it time and protection.
Between the Wind Rivers and the Front Range of Colorado is the Great Divide Basin - it's a very difficult region for animals to simply migrate across - especially animals specific to colder, wetter climates - and most especially without any great reason.
People can, and do release wolves into Colorado in hopes to reintroduce them. I believe that's where most of the sightings are coming from. Many times these wolves are wolf/dog hybrids. I've had complete strangers admit to as much. I very much suspect any sightings of wolves in CO though, almost as much as I do grizzly bear.
I understand that certain issues can get our temperature up, but that doesn't give us permission to violate the guidelines by posting like this. Please don't.
