Official notice that lion changes are on the table for 2020

[Bango skank]

I really don't see any of these options have a significant decrease in the population of the. Ougars as is needed. When we as hunters and the WDFW allow outside groups to determine the outcome it won't be in our favor. Especially since we don't participate as a group.

Most of their proposals will reduce hunter harvest.  Wdfw is full on ******* us over.

[Stein]

I really don't see any of these options have a significant decrease in the population of the. Ougars as is needed. When we as hunters and the WDFW allow outside groups to determine the outcome it won't be in our favor. Especially since we don't participate as a group.

I agree with that.  A bunch of people will buy a DEBC license and a couple percent of those will see and shoot at one.  Other than that, there are a few people that hunt them and of those a few get one.

Nothing they listed will change that.  Trying to run a few commercials to recruit cougar hunters is pretty much a waste of money.  Anyone that thinks the average guy is going to take his vacation and chase a cat on foot is not bright enough to be in charge of the budget. 

Extending the season may result in a few more, but it won't move any needles.

The two options are 1) give up hope and spend the money elsewhere or 2) figure a way to bring back hound hunting.

That won't happen because WDFW won't do the research to build the science to back their stance against backlash from Olympia.  They will throw money in a pit, wring their hands and then call up Jay and get new marching orders.

[Jingles]

"Options Option  1  Permit  hunting  opportunity In this  option,  all  hunters  could hunt  for  cougar  during  regular  general  season  (Sept  1 through December  31)  and  cougar-only  hunters  could apply  for  by  permit  winter  season

I see this portion as BS and am da-ned tired of the crap in this state of only able to hunt by permit of special hunts for "Master Hunters when they are not accepting anymore applications for their Master hunter program [b[/b]or after I have purchased a license to hunt... If the season is open for any it is open for all

Either open it for everyone or allow permitees to use dogs and not have to take some special class to tell you how to use Dogs I don't need some westside wannabe expert telling me how to run dogs

[Bango skank]

"Options Option  1  Permit  hunting  opportunity In this  option,  all  hunters  could hunt  for  cougar  during  regular  general  season  (Sept  1 through December  31)  and  cougar-only  hunters  could apply  for  by  permit  winter  season

I see this portion as BS and am da-ned tired of the crap in this state of only able to hunt by permit of special hunts for "Master Hunters when they are not accepting anymore applications for their Master hunter program [b[/b]or after I have purchased a license to hunt... If the season is open for any it is open for all

Not to mention, if they did a draw permit for jan - april, it would end up like the spring bear thing where a ton of people apply and draw the permits, and dont ever even attempt to use them, but even moreso.

[BreezyBear]

I probably missed it in all the discussion here, but my feeling the general cougar season should start August 1st, cause I have seen a few cougars while out bear hunting in August and had to let them walk.   

[gramps]

There were 40 tags available to draw for all of the Blue Mountains for the 2009-2010 season.  I think that was the last yr for the drawing only cougar deal.  There were 9 Lions harvested, one of which was mine.  I have only seen one other hunter out hunting Cougar specifically in 35 + years.

[Bango skank]

There were 40 tags available to draw for all of the Blue Mountains for the 2009-2010 season.  I think that was the last yr for the drawing only cougar deal.  There were 9 Lions harvested, one of which was mine.  I have only seen one other hunter out hunting Cougar specifically in 35 + years.

Ive gone out in the winter targeting lions in several northeast units and never have i run into another person doing the same.  Ive never even once ran into anybody hunting coyotes anywhere.  Just not a lot of people out there willing to hit the woods in the winter to hunt even coyotes, let alone cougars.  I have a hunch most coyote hunting is done on private land, not out in the mountains on public land.

[Stein]

"Options Option  1  Permit  hunting  opportunity In this  option,  all  hunters  could hunt  for  cougar  during  regular  general  season  (Sept  1 through December  31)  and  cougar-only  hunters  could apply  for  by  permit  winter  season

I see this portion as BS and am da-ned tired of the crap in this state of only able to hunt by permit of special hunts for "Master Hunters when they are not accepting anymore applications for their Master hunter program [b[/b]or after I have purchased a license to hunt... If the season is open for any it is open for all

I wonder if the reason for a permit instead of a season may have something to do with the fee associated with a permit application.

Not to mention, if they did a draw permit for jan - april, it would end up like the spring bear thing where a ton of people apply and draw the permits, and dont ever even attempt to use them, but even moreso.

[Jingles]

"Options Option  1  Permit  hunting  opportunity In this  option,  all  hunters  could hunt  for  cougar  during  regular  general  season  (Sept  1 through December  31)  and  cougar-only  hunters  could apply  for  by  permit  winter  season

I see this portion as BS and am da-ned tired of the crap in this state of only able to hunt by permit of special hunts for "Master Hunters when they are not accepting anymore applications for their Master hunter program [b[/b]or after I have purchased a license to hunt... If the season is open for any it is open for all

I wonder if the reason for a permit instead of a season may have something to do with the fee associated with a permit application.

Not to mention, if they did a draw permit for jan - april, it would end up like the spring bear thing where a ton of people apply and draw the permits, and dont ever even attempt to use them, but even moreso.

You are probably correct in saying it probably has something to do with the permit fees, WDFW  can't manage their money or the Game any better than the legislators in Olympia can manage their money, all they can do is say Give me more so you can do less.

[Humptulips]

I have read this thing over a few times and it seems to me like we should all be supporting D No Harvest Guideline General Season. This has the potential to increase the cougar harvest. I don't think substantially but we should get this and then ask for more methods of harvest. None of their options addresses the lack of an effective method of hunting cougars. Maybe eastside with a lot of snow you guys can get them but most of the State I don't see boot hunting ever hurting the cougar population.
I'll note in there pros and cons you can see where they are trying to lead this. Most of the cons in D I would put in the pro column.

CONS

 "PMUs that routinely exceed the guidelines could become even greater population sinks."
They don't believe there are actually more cougars in areas where harvest is high.

"Some members of the public are unlikely to be accepting of this liberalization"
They are obviously worried about CNW, CBD, HSUS and our Governor.

"Provides a perception that the agency thinks more cougars need to be harvested; which could lead to increases in harvest pressure"
There's the problem! They don't see there is a problem. They don't really want to increase the harvest of cougar.

"Clumped distribution of harvest in areas with high access, potentially creating population sinks in new areas"
If there weren't a lot of cougars in these areas current methods could not increase the harvest significantly. Besides, the studies they are working off of say hunting cannot do this because of migration of young cougar.

" Not using best available science"
The best available science has turned the State into a predator pit.

"Would likely have a negative impact on social stability (males) and recruitment (females) in portions of the state that routinely exceed the guidelines."
IMO a good thing. If we had a few areas where there is some space between cougars maybe the ungulates would rebound a bit.

"High amount of uncertainty of future harvest."
If it goes up good but I don't believe they want that. They should.

"Would be the only western state without a harvest limit."
Every Western State without hound hunting has a cougar problem. Time to try something new. There was a time when there was no harvest limit. Those were better times IMO.

"No mechanism to prevent over harvest"
The mechanism that limits the harvest is by the methods of harvest allowed.

"Increase in harvest is unlikely to decrease conflict and does not address the causes of human-wildlife conflict."
I guess that they don't think an overabundance of hungry cougars  has anything to do with conflict.
They rely too much on models that are not proving to be accurate IMO.

[Bango skank]

I have read this thing over a few times and it seems to me like we should all be supporting D No Harvest Guideline General Season. This has the potential to increase the cougar harvest. I don't think substantially but we should get this and then ask for more methods of harvest. None of their options addresses the lack of an effective method of hunting cougars. Maybe eastside with a lot of snow you guys can get them but most of the State I don't see boot hunting ever hurting the cougar population.
I'll note in there pros and cons you can see where they are trying to lead this. Most of the cons in D I would put in the pro column.

CONS

 "PMUs that routinely exceed the guidelines could become even greater population sinks."
They don't believe there are actually more cougars in areas where harvest is high.

"Some members of the public are unlikely to be accepting of this liberalization"
They are obviously worried about CNW, CBD, HSUS and our Governor.

"Provides a perception that the agency thinks more cougars need to be harvested; which could lead to increases in harvest pressure"
There's the problem! They don't see there is a problem. They don't really want to increase the harvest of cougar.

"Clumped distribution of harvest in areas with high access, potentially creating population sinks in new areas"
If there weren't a lot of cougars in these areas current methods could not increase the harvest significantly. Besides, the studies they are working off of say hunting cannot do this because of migration of young cougar.

" Not using best available science"
The best available science has turned the State into a predator pit.

"Would likely have a negative impact on social stability (males) and recruitment (females) in portions of the state that routinely exceed the guidelines."
IMO a good thing. If we had a few areas where there is some space between cougars maybe the ungulates would rebound a bit.

"High amount of uncertainty of future harvest."
If it goes up good but I don't believe they want that. They should.

"Would be the only western state without a harvest limit."
Every Western State without hound hunting has a cougar problem. Time to try something new. There was a time when there was no harvest limit. Those were better times IMO.

"No mechanism to prevent over harvest"
The mechanism that limits the harvest is by the methods of harvest allowed.

"Increase in harvest is unlikely to decrease conflict and does not address the causes of human-wildlife conflict."
I guess that they don't think an overabundance of hungry cougars  has anything to do with conflict.
They rely too much on models that are not proving to be accurate IMO.

Aside from california, which is a special kind of stupid and doesnt count, i believe only oregon doesnt have hound hunting.  Idaho, montana, wyoming, colorado, north and south dakota, utah, nevada, arizona, new mexico.  They all have hound hunting.  Several also have a 2 cat bag limit.  Nevada is open year round.  Texas appears to have no regulations on them, basically like our coyote hunting, but even more liberal

[hunter399]

Option one is the worst ,general season to be determined.
Option two guarantees a winter hunt,and allows quotas to be hit in general season.But can reduce harvest.
Option three does have the best chance at a over harvest but is marginal at best.Lose four months of season.While some gmu will go over by a few cats,more will be under.Depending from year to year.
Basicly they all suck.WDFW is worried about selling big game package and permits so I guess it's a toss up.

[Bango skank]

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

January 24, 2020
Contact: Anis Aoude, 360-902-2515
Sam Montgomery, 360-688-0721

WDFW seeks public comments on 2020-2021 hunting seasons

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments on proposed recommendations for 2020-2021 hunting seasons.

From Feb. 6 through Feb. 26, WDFW will accept written public comments to help finalize hunting rules and regulations proposed for the upcoming year. The proposals and comment forms will be posted on the department's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/season-setting.

Most of the proposals address minor changes in special permit levels and hunting area descriptions proposed since the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the state's latest three-year hunting package. More substantial proposals, including several options related to cougar season setting, are also under consideration during this process.

"We encourage everyone interested in the upcoming hunting seasons to check the proposed changes and send us your comments," said Anis Aoude, WDFW game division manager.

The Commission, which sets policy for WDFW, will also accept public comments on the proposed recommendations at its March 13-14 meeting in Kennewick. Final action by the Commission is scheduled at a public meeting April 10-11 in Olympia.

WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.

[Skyvalhunter]

MINOR changes. I hate to be Debbie downer but no matter what comments we make the dates and numbers rarely change from the adopted 3 year period. The comment period is just a formality.

[Bango skank]

MINOR changes. I hate to be Debbie downer but no matter what comments we make the dates and numbers rarely change from the adopted 3 year period. The comment period is just a formality.

I dont have high hopes either, but if we dont speak up our voices definitely wont be heard.  I for one am not ready to lay back and take it with a grin.  Look what we did with fall bear.  Everybody was naysaying that too, telling me i was blowin smoke up their asses.  The change got made outside of the normal season setting timeline, because people made a stink about it.  We need to make an even bigger stink about our lion problem.