Quality Cougar Permit

[huntnphool]

 Why doesn’t WDFW create a permit for a cougar hound hunt? Give one or two out each year for the entire state, winner can use whichever hound guy he wants. Generates revenue and gets rid of a cat or two.

[D-Rock425]

Because it's 

[Timberstalker]

Why doesn’t WDFW create a permit for a cougar hound hunt? Give one or two out each year for the entire state, winner can use whichever hound guy he wants. Generates revenue and gets rid of a cat or two.

Way too much common sense here, Phool.
On a serious note, I think it’s a great idea.

[ctwiggs1]

Because it's 

No matter how you phrase it, it's still illegal in WA.

[huntnphool]

Because it's 

No matter how you phrase it, it's still illegal in WA.

 They could get it done if they wanted to, it would simply go under "management".

[D-Rock425]

Isn't this why wdfw is currently getting sued.

[Pathfinder101]

Because it's 

No matter how you phrase it, it's still illegal in WA.

 They could get it done if they wanted to, it would simply go under "management".

Didn't they have a hunt like that a few years ago?  I thought Charlie (the taxidermist) drew it and killed a big cat.  Then they had to stop it because WDFW decided it was illegal (?)...  May be my sketchy memory, but I seem to remember putting in for a special draw cat hunt...

[Antlershed]

Because it's 

No matter how you phrase it, it's still illegal in WA.

 They could get it done if they wanted to, it would simply go under "management".

Didn't they have a hunt like that a few years ago?  I thought Charlie (the taxidermist) drew it and killed a big cat.  Then they had to stop it because WDFW decided it was illegal (?)...  May be my sketchy memory, but I seem to remember putting in for a special draw cat hunt...

You are correct.

[boneaddict]

You are correct.  Seems to me they can make it legal in a heartbeat.  Its wildlife management.

[Pathfinder101]

Again.. this may be my bad memory, but I think some "group" squawked about it, WDFW had the lawyers take a look at the legality of the hunt and found that it was in violation of the 1996 law.  Or something like that...

[bearpaw]

Because it's 

No matter how you phrase it, it's still illegal in WA.

 They could get it done if they wanted to, it would simply go under "management".

Didn't they have a hunt like that a few years ago?  I thought Charlie (the taxidermist) drew it and killed a big cat.  Then they had to stop it because WDFW decided it was illegal (?)...  May be my sketchy memory, but I seem to remember putting in for a special draw cat hunt...

It was a 5 year pilot cougar safety program put in by the legislature due to problem animals, the legislature did not renew the program at the end of the 5 years.

The ban was voted in by public initiative, the only way to reverse that is for another voter imitative or legislative action. WDFW cannot create a hound season for public hunters. There are some damage permits (or called something like that) issued in just a few very small areas, but those go to known hound hunters willing to hunt a very small area identified by WDFW. This is somewhat similar as timber damage permits but for much smaller areas.

[jeffitz]

Wat too many *censored*s.

[bigmacc]

 Thats a great idea phool but I,m afraid the "kitty lovers" would all get their pantys in a bunch and that wouldn't be good for all the donated funds coming in by all those nice groups out there that support all the cuddly wildlife we are "growing" in this state ,   sorry I was being very sarcastic.

[elkchaser54]

With the cougar attack fresh on people's minds, an initiative getting rid of that ban could go thru.

[boneaddict]

States want state rights from Federal jurisdiction, can county get county rights from under state jurisdiction, because I think there were only two counties that voted out hounds if you know what I mean

[Humptulips]

With the cougar attack fresh on people's minds, an initiative getting rid of that ban could go thru.

Where does the money come from to sponsor that Initiative?

[HighCountryHunter88]

States want state rights from Federal jurisdiction, can county get county rights from under state jurisdiction, because I think there were only two counties that voted out hounds if you know what I mean

that has to be voted on as well, i believe Oregon just tried that very thing or is attempting to try to have and opt in or out on hound hunting for lions per county

[W_Ellison2011]

Another good question is why don't they sell permits for baiting bears in Washington. Make it residents only and make it like $50 a pop with rules like bait sites have to be x amount of yards apart and limit of 2 or 3 sites. That would bring extra money into their budget and bring down a LOT of bears I bet!

[bowhunterforever]

Another good question is why don't they sell permits for baiting bears in Washington. Make it residents only and make it like $50 a pop with rules like bait sites have to be x amount of yards apart and limit of 2 or 3 sites. That would bring extra money into their budget and bring down a LOT of bears I bet!

[bearpaw]

Another good question is why don't they sell permits for baiting bears in Washington. Make it residents only and make it like $50 a pop with rules like bait sites have to be x amount of yards apart and limit of 2 or 3 sites. That would bring extra money into their budget and bring down a LOT of bears I bet!

Here's the problem:

The ban was voted in by public initiative, the only way to reverse that is for another voter initative or legislative action to reverse it. WDFW cannot allow bait hunting by public hunters. There was language in the legislation that allows timber companies to bait bear to decrease timber damage. Unfortunately WDFW has no authority to authorize a season that allows bear baiting or hound hunting.

I think the best chance of any change is through the legislature, and I don't think now is the time that will happen even as much as I wish it could.

[meatwhack]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

[Bob33]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

They tried, and much to the delight of HSUS the governor vetoed the plan.

https://blog.humanesociety.org/2015/10/washington-gov-nixes-cougar-killing-plan.html

[bigmacc]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

Bingo!, I agree that we probably will never see baiting or hounds brought back and as far as expanding quotas and going with year round seasons to make a dent in these deer killers the WDFW has too many special interest groups to take care of, taking care of our game herds is down the priority list...with all due respect meatwack, please don't refer to them as "fish and game", they are far from it, as far as representing our Fish and Game ...

[meatwhack]

I like how that article states “let’s be clear nobody eats cougar”. I must be an alien because I’ve eaten it and thought it was pretty good. It’s never good when you put wildlife management out for public vote especially in a state with such a large population of anti hunters.

[Bob33]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

Bingo!, I agree that we probably will never see baiting or hounds brought back and as far as expanding quotas and going with year round seasons to make a dent in these deer killers the WDFW has too many special interest groups to take care of, taking care of our game herds is down the priority list...with all due respect meatwack, please don't refer to them as "fish and game", they are far from it, as far as representing our Fish and Game ...

Washington "Department of Game" became the "Department of Wildlife" in 1987, and in 1994 became the "Department of Fish and Wildlife."  The state hasn't had a "Game Department" for more than 30 years.

[bigmacc]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

Bingo!, I agree that we probably will never see baiting or hounds brought back and as far as expanding quotas and going with year round seasons to make a dent in these deer killers the WDFW has too many special interest groups to take care of, taking care of our game herds is down the priority list...with all due respect meatwack, please don't refer to them as "fish and game", they are far from it, as far as representing our Fish and Game ...

Washington "Department of Game" became the "Department of Wildlife" in 1987, and in 1994 became the "Department of Fish and Wildlife."  The state hasn't had a "Game Department" for more than 30 years.

Exactly I had a lot of friends back in the day that actually worked for the Game Dept, some are still around but are retired, some have passed on, they had and have a whole different thought process regarding deer, elk and game, times have changed, the state has changed the mindset has changed. I don't even want to think what this state and our WDFW will have in store for our young hunters and fishermen in the future,  heck who knows what it will be like for my grandkids in just the next 20 years.

[KNOPHISH]

Make a quality hunt without hounds but open all year? or ask em for another pilot for public safety.

[bearpaw]

I hate to say never but I’d be absolutely amazed if in my lifetime hound hunting or baiting ever returned to Washington. If fish and game actually wanted to reduce cougar populations they’d remove all quotas and could even go a step further of opening the season to all year.

They tried, and much to the delight of HSUS the governor vetoed the plan.

https://blog.humanesociety.org/2015/10/washington-gov-nixes-cougar-killing-plan.html

  That's specifically why now is not a good time to try legislatively, he obviously wouldn't sign a bill for more predator hunting. When he becomes president then we can try! 

[Humptulips]

I like how that article states “let’s be clear nobody eats cougar”. I must be an alien because I’ve eaten it and thought it was pretty good. It’s never good when you put wildlife management out for public vote especially in a state with such a large population of anti hunters.

I think it might help our cause if some hunting groups petitioned the Commission to make the wastage laws apply to cougar.
What do you think? I might start a poll.

[bearpaw]

I like how that article states “let’s be clear nobody eats cougar”. I must be an alien because I’ve eaten it and thought it was pretty good. It’s never good when you put wildlife management out for public vote especially in a state with such a large population of anti hunters.

I think it might help our cause if some hunting groups petitioned the Commission to make the wastage laws apply to cougar.
What do you think? I might start a poll.

In theory it sounds good, in reality maybe not so much, but who knows? Nothing else is working!

[Fletch]

I believe the hound hunts they authorized in the past could only be applied for if you own hounds.  I say open it up for applications and leave it to those drawn to figure out hounds.  I am sure there are people out there that would love to run cats for people....on another note I had some cougar pepperoni stick last weekend and it tasted much like any other pepperoni stick...delicious!