Cougar Quota increase killed by Anti hunting groups.

[pianoman9701]

I wonder if HSUS would rather have malnourished cougars running around starving to death with no hunting or a healthy population of cougars and some hunting?

Oh wait, no need to answer that question.......it is an easy answer.

They don't care about animals. They care about control.

[CAMPMEAT]

I just posted a couple more comments....

Campmeat, I saw the stupid comment on there from someone named Diana where she called you a tool because she didn't believe you about cougars being a problem for kids waiting for the school bus.

I remember the story being on the national news about the 11 year old girl in Twisp that shot a cougar.
http://www.chron.com/hunting-fishing/article/11-year-old-Twisp-girl-kills-cougar-5270222.php
The link above is from a Houston newspaper.

Spouting off without facts, huh Curly...

[Curly]

Yes, that is what is so frustrating about those hsus and Peta  type people.

[MuleDeer]

Inslee stated it wasn't about the biology, and he was right.  He killed it because of what so many of you complain about on issues like this: the decision was made outside of allowable admin. procedures.  You all want "transparency" and the ability to comment on any changes WDFW makes, so you say.  But when that same issue comes up and you don't like the result, now you want it another way?  The change in quota isn't a dead issue, they just would have to go back and do it "the right way", which so many of you scream for here.  So let's push the commission to revisit this issue and do it by proper procedure.  Send notes to the commissioners to go back over this, that you all support the increase...don't let them drop the issue.
I got a phone call from HSUS the other day, asking my opinion about cougar mgmt., this issue, and other ideas on best ways to ensure healthy cat populations.  I referred him to the two-episode series of Western Extreme that went into great depth on solid mgmt. methods, and expressed a lot of other things that have been proven through studies that work.  I'm sending him a digital version of the episodes, and will also have them with me at the December WAG meeting, and talk about some of those mgmt. practices during that meeting.  His assumption was that all cougars seen were shot, which I told him is more true when it's a chance sighting, like most are now.  But when hunting with hounds, most outfitters only recommend their hunters shooting toms.
Talk to your local commissioner and tell  them we still want the quota issue passed through, and make sure proper procedure is followed, so it can't be cut down again.  If the commission follows procedure and pass it again, it will stick.

[MuleDeer]

Spoke with one of the commissioners last night at dinner about this issue.  It is coming back up, with the correct procedural actions, and will be handled at the March Commissioner's meeting.  He told me that when the Gov. killed this, he also said to get it back on track within the right channels so we could get it done.  Go to the meeting in March if you get a chance and voice your opinion on this...and contact local commissioners to voice your support for the increase. 

[csaaphill]

Yeah I'd seen this too. I get emails from WDFW and this is what I got.
November 4, 2015
 Contact: Wildlife Program, 360-902-2515

WDFW reduces cougar harvest level
 in response to Governor Inslee decision

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today enacted an emergency rule to restore cougar harvest rates to 12-16 percent throughout the state for the remainder of the 2015-16 hunting season.

WDFW took the action in response to direction from Gov. Jay Inslee. Last month the governor said the state Fish and Wildlife Commission erred in April when it amended the proposed state hunting rules by increasing the harvest rate to 17-21 percent of the estimated cougar population within portions of eastern Washington where wolves are present.

Responding to a petition from animal rights and environmental groups, Inslee said the commission, which sets policy for WDFW, improperly applied the state Administrative Procedure Act in amending the harvest rate. He directed the commission to restore the lower rate and to conduct a full public rulemaking process to consider changes for future hunting seasons.

Nate Pamplin, head of the WDFW Wildlife Program, said the emergency rule will take effect Jan. 1, 2016, and will remain in place until April 30, which marks the end of the 2015-16 cougar season.

While the emergency rule is in place, Pamplin said WDFW will initiate a full public rulemaking process to set cougar harvest rates for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. That process will include a review of cougar biology and statewide population trends, and analysis of research into cougar populations in areas of eastern and western Washington, he said.

Pamplin said the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule at the commission’s March 2016 meeting in Moses Lake. Adoption of the rule is tentatively scheduled for April, Pamplin said.

In its 2014 Game Management Plan, WDFW estimated the total statewide cougar population at about 3,600.

Cougar hunting is open statewide during an early general season from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Hunting remains open during a late season from Jan 1 through April 30, although WDFW closes cougar hunting in individual units if the harvest limit is reached before then.

Pamplin said hunters must check the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar/) or call the toll-free cougar hotline (866-364-4868) to determine whether specific areas remain open. Licenses for the 2015 season expire March 31, 2016, so hunters will need a valid 2016 cougar license to hunt in April.
 
POS INSLEE has no idea what he's doing.

[KFhunter]

I just posted a couple more comments....

Campmeat, I saw the stupid comment on there from someone named Diana where she called you a tool because she didn't believe you about cougars being a problem for kids waiting for the school bus.

I remember the story being on the national news about the 11 year old girl in Twisp that shot a cougar.
http://www.chron.com/hunting-fishing/article/11-year-old-Twisp-girl-kills-cougar-5270222.php
The link above is from a Houston newspaper.

When I was driving truck I seen a huge cougar putting the stalk on some kids waiting for the school bus, it was 50 yards across the highway from them kids had no idea it was there, I blew on the air horn it took off