In Washington State

Washington State has proposed amendments to its cougar hunting regulations and policies.

Problems with Cougar Hunting Regulations and Management Policies

•    Current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) cougar management policies and priorities are not based on sound science.
•    Current state cougar policy uses the shotgun approach of an extremely liberal hunting season to deal with a few “problem animals."      
•    DFW’s excessive cougar hunting policies have resulted in mortality/kill levels including mature males and females and kittens in some Game Management Units that are unacceptable, unsustainable and scientifically indefensible. 
•    Recent cougar research points to problems with the department’s current hunting policies.  In a report by the DFW based on research conducted by Washington State University, “...cougar density in the 5-county area (Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Chelan) appears to be low compared to other populations in the West and further declines may impact the population stability of cougars.” “The high harvest level appears to have also changed the sex and age structure of the population. The implication of the changed sex/age structure on potential human-cougar interactions is unknown and is being investigated by WSU.”
•    Cougars and other predators play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and should be managed with respect.
•    Recent research has shown that heavy hunting pressure may actually lead to more adverse human/cougar encounters and so-called problem animals by disrupting the natural territorial order maintained by dominant animals. Cougars are territorial and mature males regulate the social order by controlling the survival of younger animals. Mature males don’t get that way by running afoul of human beings; however, younger animals are more frequently involved in conflicts with humans.
•    Since the hound hunting ban of 1996 has been in effect, the DFW has issued more than 60,000 permits per year by rolling half-price cougar tags into a big game package in part to severely depress cougar numbers in northeast WA counties. Prior to the ban the DFW issued just 1,000 permits. This dramatic increase in cougar tags is not based on science and may actually be leading to increased conflicts with humans and livestock.
•    Washingtonians should not be offered the false choice or lack thereof between 60,000 cougar tags or the reinstatement of hound hunting as a pathway to sustainable, ecosystem-based and humane cougar management. The DFW needs to use the best available science and latest research to guide their cougar hunting policy and to consider all available tools and strategies for conserving healthy populations of cougars, natural predator-prey relationships, and opportunities to responsibly hunt cougars in Washington.

The Solutions

•    It is imperative that the DFW educate the public about the way cougars interact with their prey and affect other wildlife and ecosystems, what it means to live in cougar country, the minuscule risk to human safety posed by the cats and how to react to cougars if they encounter them.
•    More research is needed on the implications of different levels of hunting pressure on cougar demographics, threats to human safety, and ecosystem function.
•    Institute a more rigorous reporting system to eliminate erroneous reports of problem animals and cougar depredations.
•    Return to a more conservative, limited permit hunt with seasonal restrictions, higher price tags and a strict quota system based on maintaining stable populations, age, and sex structure.
•    Shorten cougar season to the winter months to enable hunters to determine whether they are hunting females with kittens and to lessen chance encounter cougar kills by hunters who are normally out for deer and elk.
•    Use hounds to control problem cougars who are threatening human safety and/or proven to be preying on livestock and pets.