Cougar hunting seasons to close Jan. 2

[jackelope]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

December 26, 2014
Contact: Wildlife Program, (360) 902-2515

Cougar hunting seasons to close Jan. 2
in several areas of the state

OLYMPIA - Cougar hunting seasons will close in several areas of the state at dusk on Jan. 2 now that harvest guidelines for the animals have been reached in those areas, according to an announcement by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Of the state's 49 cougar hunt areas, four will close Jan. 2, including Game Management Units (GMUs) 105, 121, 145, 166, 175, 178, 574, 578, and 667.
 
Those GMUs are located in portions of Stevens, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Thurston, Lewis, Klickitat, and Skamania counties.
 
This is the third year the department has managed cougar hunts under a plan approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2012, said Dave Ware, WDFW Game Division manager.

That plan establishes harvest guidelines for specific areas of the state, based on cougar populations in those areas, Ware said. Under the plan, WDFW can close areas where the cougar harvest meets or exceeds guidelines, while continuing to allow for hunting opportunities elsewhere.
 
"The goal is to preserve a variety of cougar age classes - particularly older animals - in numerous areas throughout the state," Ware said. "Those older cougar tend to be more effective at maintaining sustainable populations."
 
Last year, hunters harvested 182 cougars statewide, up from 156 in 2012, 145 in 2011, and 108 in 2010. Ware said the number of cougars harvested this season is expected to be similar to last year.

Ware reminds hunters that additional cougar hunt areas may close before the late season ends March 31. Before going afield, hunters should check WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar/ or call the cougar hunting hotline (1-866-364-4868) to check which areas of the state remain open.
 
Any additional closures will be posted on the website and hotline, both of which will be updated weekly. 

[Annette]

GOOD LORD.....................

[IBspoiled]

Oh this is so frustrating, here we go again. There must be a way to convince the WDFW to increase the harvest guidelines 

[BOWHUNTER45]

It really makes me sick  I am so tired of hearing how many cougars they think we have ...There are animals out there they have never seen ..They act like they are out there checking or something  It is obvious the population is exploding ..If they are killing more it is not because there are less of them    And do not forget about the wolves ...it is obvious who they are supporting ...THE STATE I MEAN !

[RB]

My question is how many people are actually specifically going out after Cougars? Most of what I have read is these cats are being killed by people out after other species and happen upon them. If that is truly the case then that would mean to me that there are more cats than most think because cats are very elusive and not normally seen by the average person. Just my 

[Jingles]

This sounds about like it has for the last couple of years. Don't see anything new here

[jasnt]

I'm so glad 117 is not on that list yet!  We are finally getting some snow

[jackelope]

I sure wish they'd leave it open down in the Blues. I had at least 4 different lions on 1 camera down there this year. Had 5 last year. I know 2 got killed last year in that general area but I haven't heard of any this year.

[raydog]

I Really want snow!

[Expedition Scout]

Issues?

[raydog]

^^

[400out]

I sure wish they'd leave it open down in the Blues. I had at least 4 different lions on 1 camera down there this year. Had 5 last year. I know 2 got killed last year in that general area but I haven't heard of any this year.

There are! I know that a couple that they left open for now have good cat numbers!

[huntnnw]

105! WOW   There is so many cats in this unit

[jackelope]

I sure wish they'd leave it open down in the Blues. I had at least 4 different lions on 1 camera down there this year. Had 5 last year. I know 2 got killed last year in that general area but I haven't heard of any this year.

There are! I know that a couple that they left open for now have good cat numbers!

I should have clarified by saying I wish they left  all of them open.

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[rainshadow1]

There could be a wolf connection... wait and see what happens, sacrificing the deer/elk/livestock in the meanwhile. There could also be an enforcement connection, wanting the Blues to have as little traffic as possible. Suffice it to say, anyone who's spent any amount of time down there knows it's not a management decision. It's a political decision.

[boneaddict]

Thanks for posting that Jackelope!   

[jackelope]

Issues?

More issues?

PICT0580

PICT0477

PICT0478

More?

[jackelope]

Those pictures are all from the same camera over the last 2 summers.

This GMU is one that will close to lion hunting 1/2.

[mulehunter]

Last year, hunters harvested 182 cougars statewide, up from 156 in 2012, 145 in 2011, and 108 in 2010. Ware said the number of cougars harvested this season is expected to be similar to last year.

It proved that Number of harvest increased faster this year than last year because Last  year they closed end of March but this year they push back early to close Jan 2 cuz its over population make easier for any hunter to shoot.  It increased almost as Twice since 2010.  It's going out of Control for sure. 

[gramps]

I think all of the GMU's on the west side of the Blues closed on 31 Dec last year.  We have a few that will be open for a little longer this year.....a week or two maybe.