Vermont’s Fish and Wildlife Department just threw a yellow flag on the mountain lion reintroduction push by Mighty Earth and their cadre of big-cat enthusiasts, essentially telling them to pump the brakes until there’s solid data on habitat suitability, public safety risks, and cross-state coordination. It’s a classic case of state wildlife experts prioritizing science over sentiment—pointing out that Vermont’s rugged terrain might look like prime puma paradise, but without rigorous studies on prey availability, livestock depredation, and human-wildlife conflicts, this could turn into a costly fiasco. Remember, mountain lions aren’t fluffy kittens; these apex predators have a track record in the West of stalking suburbs, snacking on pets, and occasionally eyeing trail runners as takeout, with over 20 human attacks documented in California alone since 1986.

For the 2A community, this story is a flashing neon warning about government overreach disguised as wildlife management. If bureaucrats can unilaterally reintroduce large carnivores—potentially forcing rural Vermonters to defend their families, farms, and kids from 150-pound ambush artists without due process—what’s stopping them from meddling in other self-defense rights? Pro-2A folks in mountain lion states like Colorado already carry concealed on hikes as standard practice, and Vermont’s open-carry culture could get a whole lot more literal if cougars roam free. This pushback is a win for common sense, underscoring why armed citizens are the ultimate backstop when ivory-tower ecologists ignore real-world dangers; it’s a reminder to stay vigilant, support hunter-led conservation, and keep pushing back against top-down schemes that erode local control and self-reliance.

The implications ripple wider: as anti-hunting groups like Mighty Earth pivot from burger bans to predator petting zoos, expect more clashes where 2A rights intersect with wildlife policy. Vermont hunters and gun owners should flood public comment periods, demand transparent studies, and highlight how responsible firearm ownership already mitigates risks from resurgent predators. Slowing this down isn’t anti-nature—it’s pro-reality, ensuring any reintroduction doesn’t leave folks high and dry (or worse, high and mauled) without the tools to protect what’s theirs. Stay strapped, stay informed, and keep the wild truly wild.