SB 6287 Cougar Control Pilot Program (Hound Hunting)

[MtnMuley]

I hope they only allow permits for houndsman this time, else the guides will eventually get it shut down again and the actual guys with dogs still won't be able to hunt

 

[huntnphool]

Ok i'll bite, if I remember right didn't you huntnphool draw a tag? How many times did you go out?

I did draw a tag a few years ago but did not get a chance to hunt.

[MooseZ25]

In 2010 I drew a tag.  I never killed a cat that year.  I did however help six other guys fill their tags, four of which never owned a hound.  All six were mature tom cats.  I never received a cent from any of the hunters for helping them fill their tags.  I will say this though, whatever we can do to help reduce the predator populations guided or not we need to make it happen. I ended up catching 23 cougars that winter with my hounds.  Only killing six did not make a dent in the population.

[huntnphool]

In 2010 I drew a tag.  I never killed a cat that year.  I did however help six other guys fill their tags, four of which never owned a hound.  All six were mature tom cats.  I never received a cent from any of the hunters for helping them fill their tags.  I will say this though, whatever we can do to help reduce the predator populations guided or not we need to make it happen. I ended up catching 23 cougars that winter with my hounds.  Only killing six did not make a dent in the population.

[bearbaito6]

I hope this makes it through. But I agree the guiding will get it shut down again.

[threedwizard]

I agree with BearPaw, why can't a hunter who draws a tag hunt? If I drew a tag, and I don't have have dogs, would then look to hire a guide/houndsman to go out and fill my tag. I have thousands of acres of forest behind my place filled with cats that need hunted. I hope we all get a chance to hunt cougars with hounds in the state.

[HighCountryHunter88]

I wish we could at least get a couple month pursuit season, I hope this passes, it will be fun!

[bugs n bones]

I hope they only allow permits for houndsman this time, else the guides will eventually get it shut down again and the actual guys with dogs still won't be able to hunt

Well said dale
Since you are not a guide I can understand your thoughts, after all you simply want to run your dogs. However, what about the guy who buys licenses every year and is a continual supporter of wildlife in this state but doesn't own hounds, someone who simply wants a chance to go cougar hound hunting?

I think the end desire should be to control the cougar population and reduce problems. While accomplishing this goal I think every hunter in the state should get a chance to participate, perhaps an applicant should be required to know someone with hounds or hire a guide, but either way hounds will get a chance to be hunted. I actually wouldn't care if it was illegal to pay a guide, but I still think any hunter should be able to apply, provided he has a hound hunter willing to participate in the hunt.

[rasbo]

Since you are not a guide I can understand your thoughts, after all you simply want to run your dogs. However, what about the guy who buys licenses every year and is a continual supporter of wildlife in this state but doesn't own hounds, someone who simply wants a chance to go cougar hound hunting?

I think the end desire should be to control the cougar population and reduce problems. While accomplishing this goal I think every hunter in the state should get a chance to participate, perhaps an applicant should be required to know someone with hounds or hire a guide, but either way hounds will get a chance to be hunted. I actually wouldn't care if it was illegal to pay a guide, but I still think any hunter should be able to apply, provided he has a hound hunter willing to participate in the hunt.



I agree with Dale,I put in before and had houndsmen lined up in case I got drawn,lets not pit one against the other in any
way or we lose in the longrun

[bearbaito6]

Guiding put this program in a bad light, when legislators tried to renew it. And I guarantee will be brought up again. If there was wording to eliminate guiding we would stand a better chance.

[Houndhunter]

Yup, you want this bill to pass than take out all the "sportsman" element. No guides, no public sport hunt as this is a "public safety" hunt. If that was worded into the bill it would be ten times more likely to go through. This is not bringing hound hunting back by any means, play the political game. If not the tax dollars will pay for guys to get rid of these problem cats, save the money and keep it to hound hunters only.

Guiding and public app's shut down the pilot program, remember that....... I guess its hard to explain to guys who don't know the situation.

[HighCountryHunter88]

How does fish and game prove who's a houndsmen and who's not?

[Houndhunter]

How does fish and game prove who's a houndsmen and who's not?

bringing a dog into a vet sure helps

[HighCountryHunter88]

I got a lab that as far as a vet is concerned can trail and tree a lion, get where I'm going with this

[huntnphool]

Guiding put this program in a bad light

Care to explain?