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