RULE CHANGES FOR COUGAR HUNTERS - please provide comment

[Ridgeratt]

Finished expressing my displeasure which is probably destined for the round file.

[rainshadow1]

Quota numbers can only be called "biologically based" by searching and finding any goofball left fielded bio support they can refer to when they go ahead and arbitrarily set their quotas purely by political agenda. They're easily half what they should be across the board. The quotas shouldn't even exist. Open seasons will balance the pressure based on heavier cat populations. Hunters aren't stupid... contrary to the belief of most Puget Sound area politicians... and Lion targeting boot hunters in the late winter will focus on overpopulated areas. (Every region in the State is above it's ideal numbers now because of the bureaucrats, but I digress...) Boot hunters could NEVER damage the Cougar population. Couldn't even efficiently manage it.

Micro management, nanny state, and good 'ole buddies run this government... not research and data.

[Special T]

Besides the general trend of overprotection of predators I think this could be a red herring. To me this seems like a an obvious confrontation perhaps to hide what the other hand is doing...

I need to do more reading, but....

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[hunter399]

Besides the general trend of overprotection of predators I think this could be a red herring. To me this seems like a an obvious confrontation perhaps to hide what the other hand is doing...

I need to do more reading, but....

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Well ya take opportunities from boot hunters, to train more hounds ,before you know it cougar will be permit hound safety removal ,and no hunting much like California.

[bearpaw]

my comments about the training season:

It says Representatives from The Humane Society of the United States and Conservation Northwest were involved in making this proposal, were hunters involved? Specifically were hound owners involved? I am a hound owner, I am also an outfitter in Idaho and own dogs that can catch cougar. I used to help WDFW with problem cougar, but over the last several years I have told them I will not help until WDFW has at least a training season. I support the concept of a training season, but I am disappointed that the Humane Society of the United States and Conservation Northwest were involved in making this proposal and I never heard about any hound owners being involved.


My comments about cougar seasons:

I asked for the seasons to stay the same and for quotas to be doubled in most units because there are too many cougar, I specifically noted that GMU 105 quota should be at least 4 or 5.

[buglebrush]

After my cougar hunt in Idaho this year and learning a ton from Dale as well as seeing firsthand a ton of cat tracks, I can say without a doubt that the whole quota thing is dumb.  Numbers should be way higher.  There is no way with the quota numbers they are using that we are keeping the cougar count in check, it is for sure going through the roof after this manner years of boot hunting only.

  We were hunting in an area that is open from Nov 1 to Mar 31 (a large part of Idaho) to kill 2 cougar using hounds and there are still more cats than IDFG thinks is healthy for the other game herds. Even in the rest of Idaho the season runs from Dec 1 to Mar 31 with hounds, there are female quotas in more populated southern units to prevent over harvest of females, toms are not even included in the quotas.

Washington is so far out left of reality it's just amazing. It seems the goal is to have as many cougar in Washington as possible, the impacts of which WDFW could care less. My only hope for eastern WA is for the state of Liberty to come about. We'll get better management when eastern WA makes their own game management decisions!

Exactly.  Washington is rapidly and nearly irreversibly approaching the end of OTC quality hunting, and it's probably due to their lack of predator management.   

[KFhunter]

If you're reading this, have you commented yet?

[Special T]

If you're reading this, have you commented yet?

I think an organised thought out responce is better than the current shotgun approach 2c

Take a look at the 2A thread. The opposition are all wearing orange scarfs and reading from scripts

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[KFhunter]

I don't think so, we need numbers not a canned letter.  These are just rule changes. 

They have to provide public input and always have, historically they get very little public input so they can change the rules however they see fit, we need to change that. 

If they provide for public input and receive very little, then we have no standing to complain about the new rules.

[hhack]

Wdfw sucks they are the definition of anti Hunting

[bearpaw]

I don't think so, we need numbers not a canned letter.

  If everyone sends comments it will make them reconsider some issues. Some issues I doubt will make any difference, but the more comments the better!

[buglebrush]

I commented, but it probably won't make a difference.  I'm so sick of WDFW.  I'm giving my money to Idaho and Wyoming this year.   

[Southpole]

Sure that's for the Cougar thread KF?

[KFhunter]

too many tabs up 

[Machias]

Commented even though it will not affect me soon.  Just my 2 cents, but it makes no difference, they have their minds made up.  Hide and watch!