So.....Are we having a Fall cougar season.

[hunter399]

Sorry if this has been discussed. Also sorry if this has been resolved in commission meeting.

Honestly I haven't kept up with current commission meetings.
If anyone has any news on the subject,I would like to hear about it.
September will be knocking on our doors very soon. Im just curious,or ignorant,.I guess.

[MADMAX]

 
 

[Jake Dogfish]

From what I’ve heard, should have a season that will close early with lower quotas.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Just sent the following email inquiry and will see what, if any response I get.

"Good afternoon,

I have questions regarding the setting of Cougar season for this year (2024) and see there has still not been any action taken or a season set.

1)  Will there in fact be a 2024 Cougar season?

2)  What is the delay that is preventing a season to be set?

3)  When will the final determination be made? 



I am not the only the person wondering why this has not been finialized or published and have concerns about the reasons behind the delay."

[avidnwoutdoorsman]

The last commission meeting not enough people showed up. The room was empty and we left the door open. I was there with my two girls and we spoke to try to change the season as little as possible. They were taking comments after the meeting because there was so many people that wanted to virtual testify at the meeting but not enough time. That is a note to everyone here. From now on we have to show up in person and virtually if not. These comments get sorted out separate and can really make a difference.

The delay is they are taking all these comments into account. They are actually still taking comments right this minute. At least HOWL is still sponsoring comments until 7/19. https://www.howlforwildlife.org/wa_wolf_conservation?utm_campaign=july_15_24&utm_medium=email&utm_source=howlforwildlife

They went from there 6 original stipulations to 5 and now are set at about 4. One is that the cougar season will get moved to Aug 1st so really pay attention because you could be hunting cougars in two weeks.

This was a discussed trade that to keep in line with license year etc if they want to pull the season back to March 31st the should open up the season a month earlier... trade april for august. They had some data that showed the take was so low in April and likely in August that this would be a reasonable tradeoff. Instead of loosing April all together.

This is likely bad for the 13-20 rule though I'm not sure. I would be interested to see when the most non-hunter take is... because say we are at 11% before August and it opens in august and 1 cat dies going over 13% the season is closed. Alternatively the one cat dies and we are at 14% now at the start of September we could take 2-3 cats before the unit would close. So I'm going to say there could be a net wash there?

What's taking so long is they made a very prescriptive rule change so they need to calculate all the new quotas. They also need to retabulate the total take because that is going to be a factor now. Then they can tell us I'm guessing next Wednesday the season will open in a week on Aug 1st, here is the new quotas, here are the units chasing 13% and the ones chasing 20%, here are the ones that are already closed and wont have a season at all this year.

[hunter399]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.
I'd definitely be ok with an August opening, definitely not ok with the quota situation,not opening at all for some areas.

[Jake Dogfish]

The last commission meeting not enough people showed up. The room was empty and we left the door open. I was there with my two girls and we spoke to try to change the season as little as possible. They were taking comments after the meeting because there was so many people that wanted to virtual testify at the meeting but not enough time. That is a note to everyone here. From now on we have to show up in person and virtually if not. These comments get sorted out separate and can really make a difference.

The delay is they are taking all these comments into account. They are actually still taking comments right this minute. At least HOWL is still sponsoring comments until 7/19. https://www.howlforwildlife.org/wa_wolf_conservation?utm_campaign=july_15_24&utm_medium=email&utm_source=howlforwildlife

They went from there 6 original stipulations to 5 and now are set at about 4. One is that the cougar season will get moved to Aug 1st so really pay attention because you could be hunting cougars in two weeks.

This was a discussed trade that to keep in line with license year etc if they want to pull the season back to March 31st the should open up the season a month earlier... trade april for august. They had some data that showed the take was so low in April and likely in August that this would be a reasonable tradeoff. Instead of loosing April all together.

This is likely bad for the 13-20 rule though I'm not sure. I would be interested to see when the most non-hunter take is... because say we are at 11% before August and it opens in august and 1 cat dies going over 13% the season is closed. Alternatively the one cat dies and we are at 14% now at the start of September we could take 2-3 cats before the unit would close. So I'm going to say there could be a net wash there?

What's taking so long is they made a very prescriptive rule change so they need to calculate all the new quotas. They also need to retabulate the total take because that is going to be a factor now. Then they can tell us I'm guessing next Wednesday the season will open in a week on Aug 1st, here is the new quotas, here are the units chasing 13% and the ones chasing 20%, here are the ones that are already closed and wont have a season at all this year.

They are definitely closing the season at the end of March.
I doubt they will open it early, but we will see.

[hunter399]

If they do open in August.
Might be the only year to double down on bear and cougar in August.
They have already talked about moving bear back to September 1.

[BearCreekCookBook]

They just passed the CR102 on cougar season. There was an amendment that keeps the 20% clause (if 13% is reached before Sept 1st, the cap bumps up to 20%) and initiates new rule making for next year. We do get to hunt cougars this year but I haven’t read the full law yet. The commission is coming back from break at 10:15am.

https://tvw.org/video/washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-2024071053/?eventID=2024071053

And here is the law info: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/cougar-hunting-seasons

We lost April cougar hunting.
The season now closes when the unit reaches 13% of their population “estimate”, and that includes all known human caused mortality including tribal harvest (that they know about). If anyone has any tribal contacts please encourage them to withhold all cougar harvest data from WDFW.

[CasterlyRock]

I'm so excited that they might let me use my tag I paid for! And they only screwed up the special draws a little!

[hunter399]

They just passed the CR102 on cougar season. There was an amendment that keeps the 20% clause (if 13% is reached before Sept 1st, the cap bumps up to 20%) and initiates new rule making for next year. We do get to hunt cougars this year but I haven’t read the full law yet. The commission is coming back from break at 10:15am.

https://tvw.org/video/washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-2024071053/?eventID=2024071053

And here is the law info: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/cougar-hunting-seasons

We lost April cougar hunting.
The season now closes when the unit reaches 13% of their population “estimate”, and that includes all known human caused mortality including tribal harvest (that they know about). If anyone has any tribal contacts please encourage them to withhold all cougar harvest data from WDFW.

I was just looking at GMU 121 ,and there 20 percent quota.
Based on population estimates, that is definitely wrong.
That population estimate should fall in line with 117,124,101 ,same as other GMU in the area. That needs to be bumped up to 11-12 same as the other GMU.  I can say without a doubt that 121 has similar cougar population as the other GMU listed at the 20 percent.
So that isn't right in my opinion.

[BearCreekCookBook]

Watching this commission meeting is a form of torture. There are bitter old women who are openly hostile to hunting deciding our hunting seasons. I’m reaching the point where I no longer care about what these commies vote on.

Yeah their population estimates are retarded. If cougar conflicts are increasing it’s because they’re overpopulated. With out the 20% bump multiple NE units would already be closed. Wouldn’t be surprised if a couple don’t open this year.

[Taco280AI]

If you see a cougar.......

[BearCreekCookBook]

Seriously, how long are we going to let these people decide the future of wildlife in our state?

[CasterlyRock]

If you see a cougar.......

[trophyhunt]

They are going to count the 40-50 cougar kills that they know of from April till now, towards our season coming up.  They count car versus cat kills towards our quota 

[hunter399]

I was just trying to figure it all out.
On how many depredations with lethal removal.

Me thinks next year I'll be holding off on buying a tag.
Till I can see what units will open/closed before purchasing.

I was looking here .
But it done by county and not GMU. And really kinda a pain to figure it out.

https://pd20.communitydashboard.info:8000/DFW/Mapping

[deer_hnter]

Email just came out  :

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission issues cougar and wolf decisions
OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission met virtually on July 19 to discuss several carnivore topics including proposed changes to cougar hunting seasons and the state listing status of gray wolves.

First, the Commission delegated a rule making petition to establish a spring black bear depredation permit season to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) director. The director will review the merits of the petition and decide whether to accept the petition to initiate rule making.

Next, the Commission approved changes to cougar hunting seasons. The new rule establishes the Washington cougar hunting season from Sept. 1 to March 31, sets a cap of 13 percent of each population management unit (PMU) using a specific statewide density, and includes all known human-caused cougar mortalities to determine when to close a PMU during the season.

The Commission incorporated an amendment in the cougar hunting rule to clarify that all known human-caused cougar mortalities contributing to the 13 percent cap will be counted between April 1 of the current year and March 31 of the subsequent year. Additionally, the Commission decided that, in PMUs that reach the 13 percent cap prior to the cougar hunting season starting on Sept. 1, the cap would be increased to 20 percent of the population to provide hunting opportunity in those PMUs. The Commission also directed staff to initiate rule making for the 2025-26 cougar hunting season.

Finally, the Commission decided against the staff recommendation to reclassify  gray wolves as a protected sensitive species in Washington. As such, gray wolves remain listed as state endangered in Washington. This vote does not impact the federal classification of gray wolves, which remain federally listed as endangered in the western two-thirds of Washington and federally de-listed in the eastern third. WDFW will revisit the state conservation status of wolves as part of a future periodic status review process, or sooner if the recovery objectives of the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan are met within five years.

The meeting was recorded and will be made available on the Commission webpage so the public can watch at their convenience. Updated rule making documents related to today’s decisions will be posted on WDFW’s rule making webpage.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

[MADMAX]

I’m out deer or elk hunting
I see a big cougar standing there
I have a cougar tag

Gee I wonder if we hit our 13%

Ah chit
It’s gone

Not likely

[CasterlyRock]

Hard to stomach. I hold hunting licenses in at least 7 other states and don't see anywhere near this level of hunter discrimination by their fish and game offices. All they do is reduce and restrict, at the detriment of the taxpayer, hunter, and the wildlife.

Let's not forget that we're boot hunting cougars here...

[ducks4days]

Its hard to figure out exactly when folks will just stop reporting their harvest, the line is probably different for everyone. This doesnt cross it for me but I would understand if it did for someone.

[hunter399]

Its hard to figure out exactly when folks will just stop reporting their harvest, the line is probably different for everyone. This doesnt cross it for me but I would understand if it did for someone.

Bear and cougar are required now I believe.
I agree though,not sure they need deer and elk reports.

[hunter399]

I’m out deer or elk hunting
I see a big cougar standing there
I have a cougar tag

Gee I wonder if we hit our 13%

Ah chit
It’s gone

Not likely

Pretty much...
I could see that happening at some point.

[MADMAX]

 
So you have no cell service and they send an email out to say the area your hunting in is closed now quota met

WTF ?

Stupid people making stupid rules

[hunter399]

So you have no cell service and they send an email out to say the area your hunting in is closed now quota met

WTF ?

Stupid people making stupid rules

I don't check my emails regularly anyway.
Definitely not in the fall.
So ya seems stupid.

[6haase6]

I don’t hardly get emails from them anyway. I get special hints e-mails and some crabbing ones now and then but other than that nothing. Never saw the email saying they made the decision on the cougar season.

[Threewolves]

I don’t hardly get emails from them anyway. I get special hints e-mails and some crabbing ones now and then but other than that nothing. Never saw the email saying they made the decision on the cougar season.

The e-mail on this came in my "other" e-mail. I should change this.

I am guessing wdfw is going to have the same call before you hunt system. Which I check before I go out. I don't make it a regular habit to call while I am out. How odd, my guess is the commission is trying to make it as jacked up as fishing regulations. I have the published regulations, but I have to call everyday just in case they changed something, then check your plan b. Or hope that when you get back home you are with in whatever time frame they give (3 days or whatever) to have it checked in.

NOW, What is 13%? one cougar from each gmu? Just as an example a gmu has 10 cougars and one gets killed, that's 10%. IS that unit shut down? A unit gets a cougar killed by a car 13 %, then goes to 20% how does this math work now?

[Limhangerslayer]

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-oks-new-cougar-hunting-rules,346213


If you’re questioning if the quotas will hit, two already have this year🤦🏻. This is just since April and there isn’t even a season yet.  The greenies won a battle here for sure.  They need to be eliminated, they are an infection from the inside put there by Inslee.  But getting them out is going to be hard and if so they will be replaced with another.

[Joel Doss]

Warning this will prob upset some but I feel it needs to be said. Also I've made it to 50 & never had social media of any kind so not a professional keyboard wizzard. Did offer a little help once here on a G.River watershed elk tag but quickly realized lots of people that had a friend of a friend or had spent a week deer hunting in there somehow knew much more than me after years of following dogs over most of the area so I decided I'd stick to looking at the cool pics. Thank you to the guy that posts those great M.Deer pics every year (boneaddict?) & a few very knowledgeable elk hunters that chime in very rarely.
  I watch people bicker about what's considered baiting, argue over wolves when they don't & never will have their livelihood impacted by them, shame someone for asking for help because they don't spend all day posting for a bunch of strangers, all while we lose more every day. Not many cared when it was just hounds, trapping & baiting but now it's EVERYTHING else.  I see people saying it's not wdfw it's the commission. Sure that's how it looks but only because wdfw has lost control & they dont like it. How well was it working out the last 30 yrs before this crazy commission went rogue? And before someone says be careful they are watching all I can say is what the hell has happened to this once great strong country!
 So back to this topic. As it stands we are prob screwed but the fastest way to make that happen is helping them accomplish the end game. I see some saying we need to work with the dept so we have a seat at the table, well that's just insanity & proven false! The predators are the end game for all other hunting & it's working. Anyone helping with depredation is guaranteeing success for these wdfw agendas. Will they figure out a work around? Probably, but if the trappers "work" with them on this crazy catch & release it's 100% going to work & if the hound guy goes & catches that cougar that's killing sheep because the cougar population has increased to the point he either gets killed by a big Tom or moves into my backyard well that's not just helping the commission it's taking the opportunity from everyone else to possibly get lucky while out deer hunting because you are essentially closing the season down before it opens! Its no big feat to catch a cougar under someones deck or in the barn, any well trained lab can do that. Im not much into trapping but i found beaver about as easy as raccon so let those beaver wash the roads out, don't take care of the problem cats they created & just maybe the general public will pay attention & start asking questions. Help them & you are part of the problem.
  Like I said I'm sure I'll glance at this in a few days & see what a jerk I am but don't worry I've got thick skin. God Bless & Happy Hunting
 

[Katmai Guy]

Absolutely spot on!

[callturner]

Warning this will prob upset some but I feel it needs to be said. Also I've made it to 50 & never had social media of any kind so not a professional keyboard wizzard. Did offer a little help once here on a G.River watershed elk tag but quickly realized lots of people that had a friend of a friend or had spent a week deer hunting in there somehow knew much more than me after years of following dogs over most of the area so I decided I'd stick to looking at the cool pics. Thank you to the guy that posts those great M.Deer pics every year (boneaddict?) & a few very knowledgeable elk hunters that chime in very rarely.
  I watch people bicker about what's considered baiting, argue over wolves when they don't & never will have their livelihood impacted by them, shame someone for asking for help because they don't spend all day posting for a bunch of strangers, all while we lose more every day. Not many cared when it was just hounds, trapping & baiting but now it's EVERYTHING else.  I see people saying it's not wdfw it's the commission. Sure that's how it looks but only because wdfw has lost control & they dont like it. How well was it working out the last 30 yrs before this crazy commission went rogue? And before someone says be careful they are watching all I can say is what the hell has happened to this once great strong country!
 So back to this topic. As it stands we are prob screwed but the fastest way to make that happen is helping them accomplish the end game. I see some saying we need to work with the dept so we have a seat at the table, well that's just insanity & proven false! The predators are the end game for all other hunting & it's working. Anyone helping with depredation is guaranteeing success for these wdfw agendas. Will they figure out a work around? Probably, but if the trappers "work" with them on this crazy catch & release it's 100% going to work & if the hound guy goes & catches that cougar that's killing sheep because the cougar population has increased to the point he either gets killed by a big Tom or moves into my backyard well that's not just helping the commission it's taking the opportunity from everyone else to possibly get lucky while out deer hunting because you are essentially closing the season down before it opens! Its no big feat to catch a cougar under someones deck or in the barn, any well trained lab can do that. Im not much into trapping but i found beaver about as easy as raccon so let those beaver wash the roads out, don't take care of the problem cats they created & just maybe the general public will pay attention & start asking questions. Help them & you are part of the problem.
  Like I said I'm sure I'll glance at this in a few days & see what a jerk I am but don't worry I've got thick skin. God Bless & Happy Hunting

[jstone]

How can they come up with 13%? They don’t even know how many cats are running the mountains. Do they have cat counters running the hills.?
They look like the typical liberal white ladies

[hunter399]

How can they come up with 13%? They don’t even know how many cats are running the mountains. Do they have cat counters running the hills.?
They look like the typical liberal white ladies

Pretty much.
Like peeing at the toilet in the dark.
It's just based on past harvest,past quotas,pretty much an educated guess.
All that is information is good enough for them to close cougar season early. Yet that same information is not good enough to have a spring bear season.
Double edge sword with a double standard.

[Berin Denson]

Just so I understand. Is there currently an open cougar season, or not?

[MADMAX]

Yes
But call before you shoot 

https://www.eregulations.com/washington/hunting/cougar-general-seasons

[10thmountainarcher]

Just so I understand. Is there currently an open cougar season, or not?

No cougar season doesn’t open until September 1.