Ranchers skeptical of new cougar hunting rule

[denali]

By MATTHEW WEAVER

Capital Press

Ranchers are questioning the logic behind a new rule that says killing fewer cougars will reduce livestock losses.

A Washington State University study found that by carefully controlling the number of cougars in an area their impact on livestock can be reduced.

As a result of the study, led by WSU Large Carnivore Conservation Laboratory Director Robert Wielgus, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife will change its cougar management program in January.

According to WSU, hunters will be allowed to kill only the number of animals that would be generated through natural reproduction.

Each of the state's game management units will have a quota allowing up to 14 percent of that area's cougars to be hunted, compared to the previous limit of 35 to 40 percent.

Once the limit is filled, cougar hunting will be suspended for the year in that unit. Hunters will be allowed to take their tags to other units that haven't reached the limit.

Jack Field, executive director of the Washington State Cattlemen's Association, said it's tough to understand the logic behind the new rule.

"I personally am having a hard time understanding how allowing populations to stay high reduces depredations long-term," Field said. "I personally don't buy it, but I'm not a wildlife biologist, so my opinion probably doesn't matter."

Previously, the department would remove high percentages of a cougar population in some areas, Wielgus said. That would cause adolescent male cougars to flood into the area. As a result, the chance of cougars and humans interacting increased.

Wielgus said a rancher's ability to protect his livestock will not be impacted. He expects the number of complaints of cougars preying on livestock or pets to drop with the new policy.

Field said he would prefer continued work on a hound pilot program that he felt would have properly conditioned the cougars to fear dogs and the possibility of being shot.

The cattlemen's association will make efforts to reinstate that program, Field said.

Field expects cougar numbers to go up and game animal numbers to go down.

"This strategy, coupled with wolf recovery, is going to lead to some dramatic impacts, and they're going to be all negative for livestock producers throughout the state," he said.

With the research project concluding, Wielgus expects the carnivore laboratory's focus to shift from cougars to wolves.


thoughts??

[DoubleJ]

Bad.  Just bad.  Sounds over analized

[huntnphool]

So allowing for more will result in less?

[grundy53]

Must be some of that liberal math...

[Whitpirate]

Welcome to Predator Nation.

Little science..... big agenda.

[pianoman9701]

Isn't this the same professor who's tried and succeeded to muck up cougar hunting in the past? He often exaggerates impacts, has a real animal rights agenda going on?

[sirmissalot]

Must be some of that liberal math...

Exactly.

[50CalJim]

What do you expect from a Wazzu Cougar.

[pianoman9701]

What do you expect from a Wazzu Cougar.

Hey, hey, hold on there buddy! There are a lot of good, conservative kids going to that school. Or at least they start out that way.

[inchtowntracking]

This is hilarious.  When we got cougar complaint calls with them attacking livestock, the only way we found to get them to stop was taking out the five cats that lived in the area. Wouldn't of imagined adding more would of stopped them too. We thought five for this little area was a lot. Lol

[norsepeak]

had weilgus for a Prof. when I was there, he doesn't like common sense, totally does the opposite of common sense most of the time...

[Special T]

This state LOVES predators! It does not matter if it is a Cougar, Wolf, Bear Coyote, Merganser, or fill in the blank! They want to protect them all! I'm sure hopeing the new savage 42 comes in a 243 12 ga and i'll have to hang my bow up for a while!

[Kc_Kracker]

Field said he would prefer continued work on a hound pilot program that he felt would have properly conditioned the cougars to fear dogs and the possibility of being shot.

The cattlemen's association will make efforts to reinstate that program, Field said.

[Humptulips]

This is just sickening what is happening in this state. Maximize the predator numbers so we can get everything else to the lowest possible denominator.
Fewest possible deer, fewest possible elk and fewest possible hunters.

WDFW doesn't seem to have a clue how many cougar are out there either so how can they set these quotas accurately?

I'm not to worried about the wolves because when they get here there won't be anything for them to eat anyway!

[mkcj]

"As a result of the study, led by WSU Large Carnivore Conservation Laboratory Director Robert Wielgus, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife will change its cougar management program in January."

So if this is the way to go why don't they explain there theory behind there thinking or study. Instead of just a vague "as a result"?