Hound Hunting back for Cougars?

[GOcougsHunter]

http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1756-S.PL.pdf

Not sure if the program is for the public or for gov't sponsored hunters.  It'll be interesting to see if this gets expanded to other counties.

[bearmanric]

It's only for colville republic area's.were all the Lama's and horse's were getting killed. i hate it cant call till after all the season's are done unless you use  the weapon for the season. not much into hound's they ruined alot of my cougar calling setup's.. on the coast no season. moved to other area's miss those spot's. Rick

[billythekidrock]

Not sure if this is similar, but the last few years, "If you own hounds that can tree a cougar" you could get on a list with F&G to hunt cougars. You have to own (and prove it) the dogs and they have to be cat dogs. You can not loan your dogs or borrow dogs. Essentially the hunters are "representatives" of the F&G.

I wanted to propose to F&G a similar program for AHE graduates to bait bear. Make AHE take an additional course on identifying, habitat, data collection, etc., and then allow them to draw or get on a list for hot spot bait hunts for timber damage.

[WDFW-SUX]

I would be 10,000% in favor of AHE bait permits but they wont even return my calls about the subject

[Machias]

Actually you only have to sign an affidavit that you own the dogs and that they can tree a cougar.  No one checks.  Lots of folks are using other people's dogs.  Your allowed up to three additional hound "handlers".  These are guys who can use their dogs, but have to be with you at the release site and at the tree.  It is a drawing.  I can't tell if the bill is extending the three year pilot study, which just ended or if they are asking for the fourth year to be initiated or if they are making it so other counties can join in.  I have been drawn once and been a hound "handler" once.  I WISH they had a way to verify that only folks with "their" dogs capable of treeing cats were in the drawing.  I would bet money there is NOT over 800 houndsmen in this state, which is how many applied the last couple of years.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Could it be that out of state people put in for the drawing or is it only available for residents?

[Machias]

Residents only, I believe.