New Cougar Season

[Ray]

I know this matter has been discussed many times over the past months. However I didn't realize until now that when I go out for a late archery deer hunt that cougars are not open over the counter. The area in question has some special permit crap. This state's game department really needs to get their head on straight. Now I fully understand my chances of getting a cougar are slim. However I believe that the late hunt is a time when I am more likely to encounter them. The bottom line is that I believe the game department is far too conservative with this new management program regarding the cougar. I believe they are deflating their estimations on numbers and that there are far more cats out there than they can possibly count. There's nothing like job security when the times are tough.

[Axle]

What area are you talking about?

I found some confusing wording in the regs but I think most, if not all areas, are open. The closures were for modern deer season (this was 6 counties) but then it reopened after that.
I probably need to reread the regs though.

[huntnphool]

And did you read the excuse they came up with to close it during the general hunt

[bearpaw]

There are a lot of reasons they are doing what they are now, but I don't agree with it either. I also think they might be too conservative now....

[Ray]

Chelan
Okanogan
Okanogan-Ferry
Stevens-Pend Oreille
Klickitat
GMUs 101, 105,
108-121, 203,
204, 209-242,
243-247, 249-251,
382, 388, and 578
within Chelan,
Ferry, Klickitat,
Okanogan,
Stevens, or Pend
Oreille counties
Sept. 1-25 Archery only
Sept. 26‑Oct. 16 Muzzleloader only
Oct. 31‑Nov. 30 Any weapon

[Axle]

Open now for a few more days but yes - it is a drastic and unnecessary cutback.

It could be that they want to throw a bone to the hound hunters to keep them happy. They don't need to keep general hunters from shooting one though. It's not like they take very many and there is an over abundance of these cats.

And they use our money to make these stupid decisions!

[Ray]

Yes, I am aware it's open for a few days. However I do not go hunting until it is already closed. This is ridiculous.

They're going to screw up this wolf thing just like they are with cougars.

[Machias]

Not to start an argument but trust me, these changes are NO bones for the hound hunters.

[huntnphool]

They're going to screw up this wolf thing just like they are with cougars.

That depends on which side of the fence you are on, there are those that are toasting with their eggnog tonight over it I guarantee.

[rasbo]

Ive got to go reread them.I was thinking I was okay till the 31st of Dec

[Axle]

Not to start an argument but trust me, these changes are NO bones for the hound hunters.

I agree, however, certain people ask for certain things. Could be that the houndsmen wanted the rest of us out of the picture so they can hunt the cougars all by themselves. I'm not certain on this, just speculating.

I used to know a couple of hound hunters that who told everyone that cougars rarely kill deer and elk. They said the cats would normally eat only small rodents and birds and squirrels.

These guys didn't really get away from their trucks much, thus their stupidity was multiplied by their greed for more cats to chase.

In CA and CO, the cougars were eating roughly 350,000 deer per year in the early to mid '90s. This was a well known fact. I've never heard a statistic for this state but if our game department came out with one, I would certainly question it. I've seen the dead deer and elk by the dozens.

[stumprat]

They were probably talking about bobcats.

[DOUBLELUNG]

 

In CA and CO, the cougars were eating roughly 350,000 deer per year in the early to mid '90s. This was a well known fact. I've never heard a statistic for this state but if our game department came out with one, I would certainly question it. I've seen the dead deer and elk by the dozens.

If the estimated 2000-2500 cougars is correct, a ballpark annual consumption of "deer equivalents" would be around 130,000 "deer equivalents" of all prey species; 100,000 deer would be a reasonable estimate of actual deer killed annually in WA by cougars.  

Given that CA is so much larger, and CO is both larger and has much more prey, that's a reasonably comparable estimate.  

[Axle]

They were probably talking about bobcats.

No, they vehemently protected their perceived image of the cougar. I knew they were wrong but I also knew they would not change their opinions.

I like houndsmen and houndswomen. I have gone on hound hunts and love it. We need them badly! More now than ever! I totally support them and we need more hound hunting seasons too.

We just don't need the department to make stupid cutbacks on cougar hunting like they have. There are still far too many of them and far too few hound owners. There will be even less hound owners when the hounds get eaten by wolves.

[mulehunter]

I personal Found 9 snow Cuts Cougar, Plus Saw two live cougars 2009.  WDFW DUMB FKER!

I could Math 11 cougars that ate how MANY DEER ALREADY Since Oct 17

Mulehunter  

[sako223]

The WDFW has proudly mismanaged all of the game seasons. They conveniently blame the other guy, usually biologists. With tags lumped together it is difficult to protest by not purchasing. Tags and license only support about 20% of the budget anyway.
Of all the seasons to dink with, this is the one that should have remained open til spring. I believe Oregon has actually gone longer to year round.

[Axle]

I believe Oregon has actually gone longer to year round.

I think Oregon is actually getting smart. I read in the regs how they removed a lot of cougars to increase hunting for deer and elk. Very smart move!

I quit buying an Oregon tag (last year was 2002) because the cougars were eating up the elk where we hunted and it was getting difficult to even find an elk. However, after reading about the cougar removal, I am planning on going there next year to hunt. I might boycot this state now. This state has far more liberals who don't hunt and don't like hunters. Oregon needs the income generated from hunters and even though a lot of hunters there are liberals (and stupid drones), they spend money on hunting.

The only way this state will make through is if they open up cougar and wolf hunting and the best way to do that is............oh ya baby!.....bounty payments! But what are the odds of that happening?

[bearpaw]

There are a few units where cougar numbers are down, but I think they over reacted.  (I am a hound dogger, but I beleive other hunters should not be left out of the picture.)   

We all need to support each other.

[boneaddict]

tell me about it, I drew a special boot permit, when I was after a hound permit in an area that I could already boot hunt in. and.......I am fairly savy on game regs and permits since I do it in about 12 different states, but I sure blew this one big time

[bearpaw]

Sorry to hear, better get out the boot grease....

[sako223]

Throwing the numbers around.

The upshot is that, according to a 2006 study by Washington State University's Large Carnivore Conservation Laboratory, Washington's cougar population -- estimated as anywhere from 1,900 to 4,000 -- has actually declined since I-655. WDFW biologists agree, and are reducing harvest limits (especially those involving female cougars) and dropping the annual bag limit back from one to two.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2008/07/31/cougar-conundrum



http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2008/reports/cougar.php

[boneaddict]

    Helps that I used most of my vaca in November so I didn't have to get in shape chasing cats all December.  The last time I ran one down there was about 4 feet of snow and I thought I was going to die.  When Idabooner picked me up I think he thought I was already dead.

[mulehunter]

  Bone, u better be careful! Ur family needs u! Wish u draw hound tag. I would like take ya and treed first day Open!

But....Dang....

Mulehunter 

[bucklucky]

Hey guys, better think about that for a second about this being a bone thrown to the hound guys. They are trying to prove that the hound guys are not doing as the game department wants. Too many females being killed because guys will shoot the females so the male quota doesnt get met. They are trying to prove that the hound season need to be scrapped. Is this a bone to the hound hunters or is it the last year we will have hounds in washington. Washington does not like the hound guys, and they have proven that again to me. They see hound hunting as a tool and that is it. Sounds like they think it is a tool they dont need or want to me......So is it a Bone thrown to the hound guys???

[boneaddict]

Charlie is throwing me to the hounds.......................

Not sure.  I jsut chaulked it up to more politics, and greed. 

[bucklucky]

Ahh Bone, mine will just lick ya to death 

The way it was explained to me is they are trying to prove that the hound hunters arent being picky and killing whatever is up the tree. So basically no different than a boot hunter shooting a cougar on the ground with out knowing whether it is male or female. So there really is no point to have the hound permits anymore. Thats what they are trying to prove . They want more Toms killed , not females.

[Machias]

It's an easy fix, NO FEMALES.  Make the houndsmen ID their cats before they pull the trigger.  It really is that dang easy.

[mulehunter]

First of all, I Personal Houndman, I have Run Cougars in past on my permits and my frineds Permits who invited me to run lions with.

I have NEVER SHOT ONE DOWN OR I RUN WITH BUDDY THAT NEVER SHOT ONE DOWN TOO ALL TRUE, Because ONE RULE We all want to find BIG TOM to make Our day happy for ever and REMEMBER FOR LONG TIME!!

I have always can tell what female or male when they are up tree. Best thing is sit under tree and watch them how beauitful they are. Talk about what size and story! Release them all the times is best feeling and know that we want BEST FOR ALL HUNTERS who filled tag that will THANK ME for what I have done.

Mulehunter