Free: Contests & Raffles.
“The concept of thinking about cougars’ social system and how they interact, in terms of management, is something that has never been done before,” said Rich Beausoleil, cougar and bear specialist for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Often two or more younger cats enter the territory formerly occupied by a single adult male.
Instead of one you now have three cougars,” Beausoleil explained.
“If you live in one of those areas where a male was removed, instead of seeing one, now your potential is to see three or four because those animals are too young to defend their home range. Now you’re thinking, ‘Holy smokes, the cougar population really exploded.’ It really hasn’t, it’s a temporary chaotic condition.”
So....if you kill the adult dominant male...QuoteOften two or more younger cats enter the territory formerly occupied by a single adult male.But it then grows becauseQuoteInstead of one you now have three cougars,” Beausoleil explained.and get even worse because...Quote“If you live in one of those areas where a male was removed, instead of seeing one, now your potential is to see three or four because those animals are too young to defend their home range. Now you’re thinking, ‘Holy smokes, the cougar population really exploded.’ It really hasn’t, it’s a temporary chaotic condition.”Same BS with the wolf speeches I've been too. They want to help us too! The is PRESERVATION not CONSERVATION and smells like BS. Apparently, they would prefer cats to kill each other more than they would prefer you to kill one.
RCW 77.04.012Mandate of department and commission.Wildlife, fish, and shellfish are the property of the state. The commission, director, and the department shall preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish in state waters and offshore waters. The department shall conserve the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish resources in a manner that does not impair the resource. In a manner consistent with this goal, the department shall seek to maintain the economic well-being and stability of the fishing industry in the state. The department shall promote orderly fisheries and shall enhance and improve recreational and commercial fishing in this state. The commission may authorize the taking of wildlife, food fish, game fish, and shellfish only at times or places, or in manners or quantities, as in the judgment of the commission does not impair the supply of these resources. The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational game fishing and hunting opportunities of all citizens, including juvenile, disabled, and senior citizens. Recognizing that the management of our state wildlife, food fish, game fish, and shellfish resources depends heavily on the assistance of volunteers, the department shall work cooperatively with volunteer groups and individuals to achieve the goals of this title to the greatest extent possible. Nothing in this title shall be construed to infringe on the right of a private property owner to control the owner's private property.[2000 c 107 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 46 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 183 § 1; 1949 c 112 § 3, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 5780-201, part. Formerly RCW 75.08.012, 43.25.020.]Notes:State policy regarding improvement of recreational salmon fishing: See note following RCW 77.65.150.
I couldn't believe they closed 105 for the second half of the season last year - pissed me off.
Quote from: KFhunter on August 19, 2013, 07:03:43 PMI couldn't believe they closed 105 for the second half of the season last year - pissed me off.Well they had to close down some units or the whole new system would have been seen as a big waste of time. Which of course it is.
Quote from: Kain on August 19, 2013, 07:16:21 PMQuote from: KFhunter on August 19, 2013, 07:03:43 PMI couldn't believe they closed 105 for the second half of the season last year - pissed me off.Well they had to close down some units or the whole new system would have been seen as a big waste of time. Which of course it is. exactly the impression I had So I had to go across the river and hunt 101Stupid crap like this pisses me off to no end. NE WA has so dammned many Cougars I'm hitting em with my car.
exactly the impression I had So I had to go across the river and hunt 101Stupid crap like this pisses me off to no end. NE WA has so dammned many Cougars I'm hitting em with my car.
Quote from: KFhunter on August 19, 2013, 07:17:45 PMexactly the impression I had So I had to go across the river and hunt 101Stupid crap like this pisses me off to no end. NE WA has so dammned many Cougars I'm hitting em with my car.I was talking to lady that delivers newspapers over here and she sees lots of cougars and nearly hits a few each year with the car. I guess when you're like the only vehicle cruising the roads from about 2am to 5 am you get to see lots critters. A few years back it was rare to just see even one cat during the year along the paper route.
Unfortunately there is already HUNDREDS of cats being left to rot in the woods. They are just being killed by other cougars. Around 750 new kittens survive their first year in WA. Since populations are at, or over, carrying capacity population are staying pretty stable in undeveloped areas. That means that for every new cat that enters the population one dies. 750+ cats being killed and hunters are taking around 150 of them. If hunters were allowed to harvest up to 10% of the population it would not have any impact on total population or age structures. WDFW know all this but is pandering to the predator lovers. Totally backwards thinking and a complete waste of a resource. Like letting trees burn in forest fires instead of logging them. It is also a financial drain on a cash strapped state. Not only are they losing revenue, from cougar hunters and reduced ungulate opportunities, they are having to pay for more human/cougar conflict issues as cougars try to expand into developed areas.
