Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Agriculture, large-carnivore rehabilitation endorsement, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council, 2015 EXCERPT Game Status and Trend Report, 2015 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, 2013 Procedure for Investigation of Livestock Injuries and Mortalities, 2012 large carnivore conflict management budget, 2011 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2011 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2011 Status Report 10th Mountain Lion Workshop Bozeman Montana, 2011 Cougar Mortality statistics 2000-2011, 2010 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2010 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2010 Cougar Outreach and Education in Washington State, 2009 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2009 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2009 Draft Game Management Plan 2003-2009, 2008 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2008 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2008 Pilot Cougar Program Legislative Report, 2007 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2007 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2006 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2006 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2005 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2005 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2005 Living with Wildlife Cougars Mountain Lions, 2004 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2004 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2004 Proposed Rule Making Public Safety Cougar Removals, 2003 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2003 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 2002 Washington Hunting Incidents Annual Report human injury accidents, 2002 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the 2002 Game Management Plan, 2002 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet, 2002-2003 Furbearer Trapping Seasons and Rules pamphlet, 2001 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 1999 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 1998 Washington Game Status Harvest Report, 1998 Washington Game Status and Trend Report, 1988 Status Report 3rd Mountain Lion Workshop, 1984 Status Report 2nd Mountain Lion Workshop, Opposition to Rule Changes to WAC 232-12-24303 Mountain Lion Foundation 7/13/2011, Opposition to Rule Changes to WAC 232-12-24303 Washington Cougar Coalition 7/12/2011, Open Letter to Washington Legislators: McCoy 03/16/11, Letter to the Editor: Issaquah Press 02/23/11, Letter to the Editor: Issaquah Press 03/02/11, Letter to the Editor: Sammamish Review 04/06/11, Letter to the Editor: Seattle Times 03/24/11, Washington HB 2438: Mountain Lion Foundation 01/28/08, 1976 Cougar Status Report 1st Mountain Lion Workshop, 1984 Cougar Status Report 2nd Mountain Lion Workshop, 1988 Cougar Status Report 3rd Mountain Lion Workshop, 1996 Cougar Status Report 5th Mountain Lion Workshop, 2003 Cougar Status Report 7th Mountain Lion Workshop, 2008 Cougar Status Report 9th Mountain Lion Workshop, 1996: Voters approved I-655, which banned the use of hounds to hunt cougars. The mountain lionalso known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamountis a large cat species native to the Americas. Mountain lions are protected and it is unlawful to hunt, kill or harass them unless they pose an imminent threat to a person or property, which is rare. Washingtons latestCougar Management Plan acknowledges there are far fewer cougars in Washington than previously thought. Researchers must obtain ascientific permitunder conditions prescribed by the departments director, but neither law nor regulation spells out the conditions. Tue 31 May 2022 21.00 EDT. Cougars involved in human conflict may be live-trapped by trained fish and wildlife personnel and moved to more remote areas, or removed. It's easier to kill the mountain lions. The states treatment of wildlife is also governed by theWashington Administrative Code the collection of all the states agency rules. No day beds preparation takes place. . If you are aggressive enough, a cougar will flee, realizing it has made a mistake. WDFWs most recentCougar Management Plan(2015-2021) has proven itself to be little more then a list of justifications for killing cougars, rather than a serious proposal to manage a wildlife species in a way which creates and enhances a healthy and sustainable natural ecosystem. Description and Range. If the cougar attacks, fight back. Kittens are deprived of a mother before they are fully trained. Mountain Lions (Cougars) Information We Should Know. The peak cougar mortality period for this livestock protection program occurred over the six years following the end of World War II (1946-51). The first European explorers of Washington were fur traders, traveling on foot and by canoe in the late 1700s. These settlers established measures for predator control by any means possible. To collect data, FWP biologists and local houndsmen use trained dogs to track, tree and dart mountain lions in order . Despite four decades of protection as a regulated game animal, these low numbers continue to signal the downward spiral of the species towards extirpation (extinction within a specific geographic region). The mountain lion is a very large, slender cat with a small head, small rounded ears that are not tufted, very powerful shoulders and hindquarters, and a long, heavy, cylindrical tail. Reduce odors that might attract mammals such as raccoons, which in turn could attract cougars. 197 pounds! Arrangements can then be made to have a GFP representative meet the hunter at the Rapid . They will, however, continue to monitor both populations and record whatever information they can regarding the mountain lions impact on the states wolf population. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. Lion . Okay, technically, its a mosquito. Female home ranges are about half that of males and there in considerable overlap in female home ranges. Mountain Lions Are Killing a Huge Number of Wolves in Washington State. Prior to the formation of the Washington Game Department in 1933. individual counties propagated a series of short-lived cougar bounty programs. 'DANGER PUBLIC SAFETY . Black bears, wolves, and cougars are rare but not unheard of in Illinois. The states beautiful wilderness and mountainous terrain are prime mountain lion habitats. Cougars are classified as game animals and an open season and a hunting license are required to hunt them (WAC 220-400-020). A mountain lion was tranquilized and relocated after it invaded the window well of a Green Springs home on the 700 block of West Morby Street, in Washington, Utah, April 25, 2016 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News Hunting of mountain lions is allowed in the State of Washington. Physical description. Instead, theyre in direct competition for food. April 14, 2015 Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan. Its most common prey is the Mule Deer and its range and density are . Mountain lion research is usually conducted in collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Depredation policy in Washingtonallows an owner to kill one mountain lion that is attacking livestock or domestic animals without a permit. During the Pleistocene ice ages, conditions appear to have become too cold for cougar populations to survive, and paleontologist believe that at the end of the last ice age, the big cats repopulated North America from a southern refugium. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The species is further classified asbig game, along with elk/wapiti, blacktail deer, mule deer, whitetail deer, moose, mountain goat, caribou, mountain sheep, pronghorn antelope, black bear, and grizzly bear. Dealing with a conflict can be difficult because it is often a community issue. The sides of the muzzle are . Back in 2018, a cougar attacked a pair of cyclists outside Snoqualmie, killing one and injuring another. Can I shoot a cougar on my property in Washington state? Washingtons cougar population has been reduced by half since 2003. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Mountain lions are listed as potentiallydangerous wild animals. And whenever a decision is made to use hunting to address a problem, there is immediate gratification: you can give a hunter his trophy, provide a houndsman with some business, gift politicians with a talking point, appease those who erroneously believe that killing cougars will benefit the deer and elk herds, and reassure those who are unnecessarily afraid of cougars. Status of Cougars in Washington State. Raise your arms. Generally, treatment of wildlife in the State of Washington is governed by theRevised Code of Washington the collection of all the laws passed by the Washington legislature. Cougars rely on short bursts of speed to ambush their prey. Description. Their conclusion: "Sir, you don't have a mountain lion.". For two decades, politicians have designed policies and . Furtherpolicyallows the mountain lion carcass to be kept by the owner. The Washington Bear-Baiting Act submitted to voters as Initiative 655 was approved by 62.99% of voters on November 5, 1996. Five, however, have now perished at the claws and teeth of mountain lions in the last decade. If a mountain lion is caught in a trap, it must be released unharmed. Where are mountain lions in Washington state? Remember: You are responsible for your safety and for the safety of those around you. Sleek and graceful, cougars (Puma concolor ) are solitary and secretive animals rarely seen in the wild. At least three commissioners must reside east of the Cascade Mountains and at least three must reside west of the Cascade Mountains. Washington initiatives are submitted to either the people or to the state legislature. 5 Are there Mountain Lions in New Hampshire state? Washingtons regulation governingtrappingstates that only furbearing animals may be trapped. A compilation of mountain lions captures on my stealth trail cameras, which were set in a rural location of Northeast Washington. Members of the dog family gnaw on bones but usually dont chew them up into cut fragments. The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey, but a potential danger. If there have been cougar sightings, escort children to the bus stop in the early morning. Other prey species, especially for younger cougars, include raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, hares, small rodents, and occasionally pets and livestock (e.g. Fight back if attacked. All cougars killed by licensed hunters during the early and late hunting seasons, and seasons authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Commission shall be counted toward the harvest guideline. This is allowed to control the average lion population growth. According to WDFW biologists, theres little to be done about the growing conflict between predators. Cougars dont use dens like bears do. If you must feed outside, do so in the morning or midday, and pick up food and water bowls, as well as leftovers and spilled food, well before dark. No one may possess an open WDFW cougar seal unless it has been cut by a licensed taxidermist or fur dealer who has received and invoiced the pelt for processing (WAC 220-415-050). P-22, the celebrated mountain lion who lived in Los Angeles and became a symbol of urban pressures on wildlife, was euthanized . There are few more divisive issues than conservation of the States big predators: wolves, bears, and cougars. Maintain eye contact. However, cougars have well developed premolars that can slice through bone and hide. Washingtons latest Cougar Management Plans primary intentions are to manage cougars solely through trophy hunting to: The intentions of bureaucrats are confusing. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. Cougars are the largest members of the cat family in Washington. The famous river spirit petroglyph on the Washington side of the Columbia. Dont feed wildlife and feral cats (domestic cats gone wild). The irony is that the appearance of increasing conflicts is often seen by bureaucrats as evidence that cougar populations are healthy and increasing too. Fatal attack only second incident of its kind in Washington state in past 94 years. If you are in a group, stand shoulder-to-shoulder to appear intimidating. Often these males will make a kill, feed until full, leave to patrol the area, and return to feed on the carcass days later.). Hike in groups and make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar. Washington allows its citizens to propose new laws through its initiative process and to repeal existing laws through its veto referendums. You can check the statutes directly at a state-managedwebsite. Mountain lions go by many names, including puma, cougar, and panther. The Mountain Lion is a large, slender cat with a smallish head and noticeably long tail. This number is fairly close to whatWDFWthought existed back in 1976 at the end of the bounty period when populations were considered tragically low and at serious risk. A. Johnson. Now it allows 250 to be hunted in 50 designated zones. Isaac Sederbaum, 31, a social science researcher, was . The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission oversees the WDFWs activities. According to a press release issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Lily A . Light all walkways after dark and avoid landscaping with plants that deer prefer to eat. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Washington Senate. Harvest guidelines are based on recommendations in Washingtons Game Management Plan. Despite the cold, mountain lions can thrive there. Hunters who are successful in taking a mountain lion must call the GFP Regional Office at 605.394.2391, or CSP office headquarters at 605.255.4515, during weekday office hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.), or call State Radio at 605.393.8121 during nights and weekends. Native people memorialized the cougar in rock carvings, totems, in story and in song. The state's cougar population is so ruthless, in fact, that the local wolves are being killed at a shocking rate. It is rare for penalties to be sufficiently harsh to keep poachers from poaching again. If you come face to face with a cougar, your actions can either help or hinder a quick retreat by the animal. On this episode, Janis and his blue tick coonhound, Mingus, head to Northeastern Washington on a mountain lion hazing study. This is the 12th verified cougar report of 2021. . There had not a mountain lion attack in Washington state in 100 years. Face the cougar. No permit is required. Wyoming: 2,000. The plan is assembled by the WDFW Wildlife Program and guides the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissions policy decisions. This March, the state of Washington's legislature passed a bill overruling the voter initiative that had banned hunting of mountain lions by dogs. The study began in 2017, when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) started the Predator-Prey project. (For more about recent legal assaults on cougars in Washington, visit ourWashington Law tab.). Subsequently, trophy hunters had to rely on opportunistic kills, generated while in the act of hunting other prey most commonly deer or elk. Do not crouch down or try to hide. Living in Southern Utah, Mecham said mountain lions wander down off the mountains and into residential areas from time to time. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? Despite the passage of Initiative-655 in 1996, Washingtons cougars are threatened now more than ever before. Cougars vary in color from reddish-brown to tawny (deerlike) to gray, with a black tip on their long tail. Jump to content. 1) Habits and habitats. goats, sheep, and chickens). The cougar may remain in the immediate vicinity of its kill, guarding it against scavengers and eating it over a period of six to eight days. 916-442-2666
Since then, state authorities have recorded 19 other cougar-human encounters that resulted in a . Theregulationsand laws governingrecreational hunting of mountain lionsspecify 150 game management units organized into 6 regions. Adult male cougars roam widely, covering a home range of 50 to 150 square miles, depending on the age of the cougar, the time of year, type of terrain, and availability of prey. After killing a large animal and having eaten its fill, a cougar often will cover the remains with debris such as snow, grass, leaves, sticks, or soil. Make sure children are home before dusk and stay inside until after dawn. Aggressively wave your arms, throw stones or branches, do not turn away. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. In order to pass, an initiative must be approved by a simple majority unless the initiative aims to authorize gambling or a lottery, in which case a 60% supermajority is required and at least one-third of those voting in the election must have voted on the measure. Cougars occur throughout Washington where suitable cover and prey are found. Cougars usually carry or drag their kills to a secluded area under cover to feed, and drag marks are frequently found at fresh kill sites. In less mountainous areas, day beds are located in forested areas, thickets, or under large roots or fallen trees. These statutes are searchable. The only confirmed mountain . In Washington state, the first fatal cougar attack on a human was reported in 1924. Pepper spray in the cougars face is also effective in the extreme unlikelihood of a close encounter with a cougar. The report is prompted by the WDFWslegal mandateto preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage the states wildlife. Complaints are not a valid indicator of the sustainability of cougar populations. Count yourself very lucky if you spot one of these elusive big catsshy and wide-ranging, the park's mountain lions are rarely seen. 97: December 14, 2021: Washington: Photo of a mountain lion taken by a game camera. May 25, 2018. The Cascade Mountains are an important habitat for mountain lions in the region, and a stable population lives within the state. Purchase a guard animal from a reputable breeder who knows the animal he or she sells. The hotline and website will be updated weekly beginning Jan. 1. The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. The department divides itself into separate wildlife and enforcement branches. Mountain Lions in the State of Washington. If the cougar does not flee, be more assertive. Special sessions are limited to 30 consecutive days. Muzzleloading handguns used to hunt mountain lions may have one or two barrels, but both barrels must be rifled and be eight inches or longer. Do not approach a lion. For a creature that wildlife experts describe as secretive and solitary, mountain lion encounters with humans are on the rise, with reports of cougar sightings and attacks seemingly happening weekly Agross misdemeanoris punishable by up to 364 days of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, the cougar late hunting season may close on or after January 1 in one or more GMUs if cougar harvest meets or exceeds the guideline. Are there black cougars in Washington state? (Bobcat claw marks are normally 2 to 3 feet above the ground; domestic cat scratching occurs at a height of about 1 to 2 feet). The statesregulationdoes not state what is required on the permit application but requires the applicant to demonstrate that he or she has completed at least six months or 1,000 hours of wildlife rehabilitation under the supervision of an authorized wildlife rehabilitator, provide theWashington Department of Fish and Wildlifewith a letter of recommendation from an authorized rehabilitator who agrees to advise the applicant, submit a written agreement signed by a veterinarian who agrees to serve as the applicants principal veterinarian, successfully complete the Washington General Wildlife Rehabilitation Examination, and have access to suitable rehabilitation facilities. Attacks are rare, but can be dangerous. Never run past or away from a mountain lion. A mountain lion has been put down in Nevada after it attacked a teenage girl last Thursday, officials said. Do all you can to appear larger. 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