Environmental groups petition for more limits on cougar and black bear hunting in WA
Photo: Cascade Mountain Outfitters
WASHINGTON — A coalition of prominent environmental groups has filed a petition pressing for a rollback of recent changes to cougar and black bear hunting regulations in Washington state, citing concerns over the animals being hunted beyond sustainable levels, according to an article published by the Spokesman Review.
The petition, submitted on Wednesday by Washington Wildlife First, the Mountain Lion Foundation, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Humane Society of the United States, seeks a reversal of decisions from 2019 and 2020 by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The previous decisions had expanded hunting opportunities for these animals.
The alterations to the regulations had established a statewide bag limit of two black bears per hunter, standardized the hunting season duration, and revamped the method of calculating cougar densities, which is pivotal for determining hunting limits. The coalition alleges that these revisions have led to over-hunting, posing a significant risk to the health of these species' populations.
Collette Adkins of the Center for Biological Diversity commented, “It’s shortsighted and unscientific to allow hunters to kill so many of Washington’s bears and cougars.”
The advocacy groups are urging the commission to:
- Shorten the bear hunting season by one month.
- Implement a statewide bag limit of just one bear.
- Cease cougar hunting as soon as area-specific quotas are achieved.
Data reveals that the revised rules have resulted in a 50% surge in bears hunted, with over 2,200 bears killed by hunters in 2022 alone. This increased hunting rate is alarming, especially when considering the mounting threats black bears face from climate change, which could precipitate a significant population drop.
Furthermore, in 2020, the commission adjusted the method of setting cougar hunting guidelines. This change permitted an over 50% increase in the annual allowable cougar kills, a move that the petitioners argue blatantly disregards scientific evidence indicating that cougar populations could not sustain such intense hunting.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, overseen by the commission, has a 60-day window to respond. Staci Lehman, a spokesperson for the department, noted that the petition would undergo a comprehensive review in the ensuing weeks.
The issue of predator hunting has stirred debate in recent years. While many advocate for enhanced protection measures for animals like cougars and bears, opponents assert that the existing animal populations are healthy and that hunting remains a vital management instrument.
Brian Lynn, representing the Sportsmen’s Alliance, countered the petition’s claims, labeling it as “more agenda-driven hyperbole from animal-rights groups that want to end all hunting in Washington.”
As the commission embarks on defining hunting seasons for 2024-2026, the recommendations of the WDFW have been under scrutiny. Some commissioners have hinted at a potential return to pre-2019 hunting rules for bears and cougars, although the WDFW has advised maintaining the current regulations until a new game management plan is crafted.
The ongoing deliberations underscore the intricate balance between conservation goals and hunting rights, with both sides ardently championing their perspectives.
https://www.yoursourceone.com/columbia_basin/environmental-groups-petition-for-more-limits-on-cougar-and-black-bear-hunting-in-wa/article_b90cde30-7395-11ee-abe0-4bdb4584322f.html
