NM OKs cougar trapping

[Humptulips]

I'd like to post an article but every journalist must be an anti that is writing about it. Seen several lately and they all have those words cruel, inhumane, extreme and stuff like predators self regulate and the horrorr of a break down of the social order of cougar hierarchy. BS like that.

I will say as of the 26th the Fish & Wildlife Commission of New Mexico approved trapping as a legal method of take for cougar on all private lands and State trust lands in New Mexico.
Texas is the only other State where it is legal to trap cougar.

[Trapper John]

I'd like to post an article but every journalist must be an anti that is writing about it. Seen several lately and they all have those words cruel, inhumane, extreme and stuff like predators self regulate and the horrorr of a break down of the social order of cougar hierarchy. BS like that.

I will say as of the 26th the Fish & Wildlife Commission of New Mexico approved trapping as a legal method of take for cougar on all private lands and State trust lands in New Mexico.
Texas is the only other State where it is legal to trap cougar.

I feel sorry for those anti people.   Ummmm ............. Not     

I think I need to go to New Mexico or Texas this coming trapping season.  Trapping a lion is on my bucket list.
JC   

[Houndhunter]

Before I moved to MT, NM is where I wanted to move to run hounds for cats. Still might one day if I can find work, it's supposed to have alot of them 

[WAcoyotehunter]

I don't like it... I'm glad it's in NM and not Idaho where I run hounds. 

They would be super easy to trap.  I suspect anyone there that pits any effort at all into cougar trapping will catch one.  Unfortunately it is more likely to be a female or subadult than it is a mature Tom.

[Dan-o]

So, first off, I'm not a trapper, so I really am just asking out of curiosity.

Would trapping a cougar be extremely difficult?

It seems like you could trap a mighty long time without getting a cougar.

Do guys actually successfully trap cougars?

[WAcoyotehunter]

They would be super easy to trap. Like bobcats

[Dan-o]

Thanks for that.

For some reason, in my mind, I just thought that given how dispersed they are and (I thought) they only eat what they kill that it would be hard.

[WAcoyotehunter]

They will check out trap sites pretty readily and get caught in bobcat sets if trappers are not careful. (In leg holds).   Once you knew where a lion was trapping them would be the easy part.

[Humptulips]

Thanks for that.

For some reason, in my mind, I just thought that given how dispersed they are and (I thought) they only eat what they kill that it would be hard.

Do not for one minute think cougars only eat what they kill. They will readily take carrion. I have then stealing bait out of my bobcat traps all the time.

I don't like it... I'm glad it's in NM and not Idaho where I run hounds. 

They would be super easy to trap.  I suspect anyone there that pits any effort at all into cougar trapping will catch one.  Unfortunately it is more likely to be a female or subadult than it is a mature Tom.

The only reason one would be more likely to catch a female or a subadult is because there are more of them. Most large cougar caught in footholds are self released because trappers are using too small of a trap.
By the way the NM Houndsmans Association was in favor of this change in law.
Hang together or hang separately.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I agree, proportionately your odds of catching a subadult or female are much higher, becuese they make a much bigger cross section of the population. 

It's strange that the houndsmen would be in favor or this.   Other than just trying to be an ally, there is hardly a biological reason.  Or they figure it will be such a small take that its insignificant.

If a lion doesn't 'self release' it can get a little wild....

[Humptulips]

I agree, proportionately your odds of catching a subadult or female are much higher, becuese they make a much bigger cross section of the population. 

It's strange that the houndsmen would be in favor or this.   Other than just trying to be an ally, there is hardly a biological reason.  Or they figure it will be such a small take that its insignificant.

If a lion doesn't 'self release' it can get a little wild....

It was tied together with increased bear quotas. Year a round season and a 4/year limit on cougar in NM. There will still be no cougar trapping on Federal land and that makes up a lot of NM so maybe houndmen didn't feel too pinched to share.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Ow wow.  Ok I bet you're right

[UrbanTrapper]

What size/type traps would you use if you were trapping cougar on purpose?  I'll be hunting elk near Cimarron,NM this year and I'd like to try to set for cougar while I was there if I can swing it.

[Humptulips]

Chuck Bailey used to trap them for a collaring study. He used MB750 wolf models. I think any wolf trap would be OK.
Snares work good too.

[Halo]

I Have an old leaflet published by the US Department of Agriculture, It is entitled "Hints on Mountain-Lion Trapping". It says issued April, 1933, Leaflet No. 94. 8 pages with pictures and drawings on how to trap them.

[Humptulips]

I was just reading that in NM they have a max inside jaw spread of 5 1/2 inches. I would say that lets traps out for cougar. I would stick with snares. Might want to check the regs before you buy a bunch of big traps.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Leg snares or kill snares?  I hope people know what they're doing and don't kill too many dogs...

[Humptulips]

I have never known a hound dog to be killed by a snare.

[WAcoyotehunter]

A spring snare like they're using for wolves would wipe a dog out in quick order

[Humptulips]

I'm not so sure about that. I do know it would not take a spring snare to dispatch a cat. Cats die easy in a snare. I'm not sure what the snaring regulations are in NM but it would be pretty easy to snare cougar and keep from harming domestic or hunting dogs.

[JimmyHoffa]

Leg snares or kill snares?  I hope people know what they're doing and don't kill too many dogs...

For the public lands this might be a valid concern.  For the private, I would say let the trappers use any means they want--the owner can regulate as necessary.

[jasnt]

I'm not so sure about that. I do know it would not take a spring snare to dispatch a cat. Cats die easy in a snare. I'm not sure what the snaring regulations are in NM but it would be pretty easy to snare cougar and keep from harming domestic or hunting dogs.

i agree with Bruce, no need for a power snare for cats. You can easily set up for entangle. 

[WAcoyotehunter]

Perfect.  Although the way my dogs handle on a lead might be an issue if they get caught!!

I spring snares are pretty nasty.  I had never worked with one until last winter.  They are pretty serious.

[TeacherMan]

Its been years but we caught a few back in the 90s with number 3 Northwoods when bobcat trapping coming into cubbies with beaver. If I went for them I'd use a 750 with a 3/8 OS and double lamination. Wouldn't go anywhere. If not a 750 I'd use a 3/32" or 5/64"x 12' snare with a high anchor and double swivels in a good entanglement area. Don't really think they would be much higher off the ground than my lynx snares either. Id set bottom of the snare 14" off the ground with an 10-12" loop. All dreams I guess lol.

[jasnt]

Would be pretty sweet to trap cougar in Washington!

[Hannibal]

That would be fun, wonder if turner has a problem.................