Cougar Seasons - Year Round/No Weapon Limits for Boot Hunters - Lets Change It!

[grundy53]

I agree that we need to get rid of the weapon specific limitations. I would be happy if the seasons ran the same as bobcat Sep 15 to Mar 15.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          What weapons restrictions are we talking about exactly? I believe that now we can use any centerfire handgun or rifle 22 call or larger. We can also use archery equipment, rimfire is NOT allowed. These seem like very light restrictions if you ask me. If I were to change anything I would make it, Any Center Fire Cartridge, which would open up the 204 Ruger, 20 VarTarg, 17 Fireball, 17 rem, and other high velocity small bore calibers. The rimfires will kill a cat but dont leave enough for a margin of error.

They are talking about being restricted to using archery only in September and muzzleloader only during early muzzy.

[grundy53]

What really makes me mad is the season is shut down during modern deer in the okanogan/chelan areas.

[carpsniperg2]

It's that way in most areas I think now I know it is here A guy shot one last year thinking it was still open and took it to the local butcher shop Then he got wrote a few tickets for that one. I hate that they are protecting them so much

[stumprat]

I agree with doing away with the weapon restrictions on cougar 100%.

You will never see a year round season on cougars. They could not sustain that much pressure. My complaint is not with the length of the seasons. Just the weapon restrictions.

Many of you seem to forget. That pre 1996 cougar hunts were by raffle permit drawings. Over the counter tag sales didn't occur until after the hounds were outlawed.

[Kain]

I agree with doing away with the weapon restrictions on cougar 100%.

You will never see a year round season on cougars. They could not sustain that much pressure. My complaint is not with the length of the seasons. Just the weapon restrictions.

Many of you seem to forget. That pre 1996 cougar hunts were by raffle permit drawings. Over the counter tag sales didn't occur until after the hounds were outlawed.

I would be happy if we could get rid of the weapon restriction but I would still really like to see the season go back to 2008 regs.  I am fine with one tag as I doubt many got to fill two anyways.  A few year-long special draw tags in areas that could support them would be sweet also. 

[DoubleJ]

Since when is cougar season not year round

Cougar, wolf and coyote season is already year round, right?  Just remember the South Park episode, if you yell "It's coming right for us!!" you can shoot anything in self defense!

[rainshadow1]

The one tag, any weapon, Sept thru March, idea is far more realistic, and the population could definately withstand it, imho, but even that is going to be a huge mountain to climb in this political climate. Blessings to you if you have the time and $$$ to lobby for it. I'll sure sign your petition!

[Pathfinder101]

THe way I understood it, the weapon restriction was meant to help out the gamies.  Turns out they commonly caught a guy running around during deer or elk season with a deer rifle when he had already filled his tags. 
"Watcha doin'?"
 
"uh, Cougar huntin.."  He replies.

cant prove he wasn't..

[carpsniperg2]

Agree pathfinder, if someone has a valid tag they should still be able to hunt. If they catch a guy shooting another deer or elk with his tags already filled then bust him. But don't think just because he is out hunting, means that he is out poaching Use to be Innocent until proven guilty.

[Pathfinder101]

I agree with your statement, however, I understand that it was happening a LOT, and with guys that the gamies were pretty sure were poaching.
Just another fine example of a few losers screwing it up for the rest of us...

[Kain]

THe way I understood it, the weapon restriction was meant to help out the gamies.  Turns out they commonly caught a guy running around during deer or elk season with a deer rifle when he had already filled his tags. 
"Watcha doin'?"
 
"uh, Cougar huntin.."  He replies.

cant prove he wasn't..

That makes absolutely no sense at all since you can still hunt all small game, and bears with a rifle.  I can still hunt with my bow if I tagged out on deer or elk during archery season.  In fact now I am forced to if I want to hunt cougars. If an officer comes up to me and asks why I am hunting with a bow if I already filled my tags I will have to remind him that there is lots more animals to hunt than just deer and elk.  The weapons restriction is just stupid. 

First it was because of some safety concern or conflict with other outdoor users.  Of course now they are saying it is because of cougar populations.  Whatever excuse fits their agenda is the one they will use.  2003 cougar population estimates were 1900-2100 cats.  In 2008 the number went UP to 2000-2500.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/cougars.html

Cougars occur throughout Washington where suitable cover and prey are found. The cougar population for the year 2008 was estimated to be 2000 to 2,500 animals. The cougar population in eastern Washington is declining and the westside population is stable. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has nine management zones around the state designated for "maintain" or "decline," and adjusts harvest levels accordingly.

Well thats weird, isnt 2008 the year they started pushing for the reduced season and weapons restrictions?  They were trying to push the same regulations for bear season but hunters were having no part of it.  If the population is stable on the west side with the old regs why change them?  If the population is declining on the east side why were they fighting for the pilot program.  It has nothing to do with population concerns.

[grundy53]

THe way I understood it, the weapon restriction was meant to help out the gamies.  Turns out they commonly caught a guy running around during deer or elk season with a deer rifle when he had already filled his tags. 
"Watcha doin'?"
 
"uh, Cougar huntin.."  He replies.

cant prove he wasn't..

if this were the case they would have done the same thing for bear.

[billythekidrock]

THe way I understood it, the weapon restriction was meant to help out the gamies.  Turns out they commonly caught a guy running around during deer or elk season with a deer rifle when he had already filled his tags. 
"Watcha doin'?"
 
"uh, Cougar huntin.."  He replies.

cant prove he wasn't..

if this were the case they would have done the same thing for bear.

Don't think it hasn't been thought of. They aleady want to shut down bear hunting in August.

[BOWHUNTER45]

THe way I understood it, the weapon restriction was meant to help out the gamies.  Turns out they commonly caught a guy running around during deer or elk season with a deer rifle when he had already filled his tags. 
"Watcha doin'?"
 
"uh, Cougar huntin.."  He replies.

cant prove he wasn't..

nailed it ... the main reason why !!

[bearpaw]

This is an issue we are going to address with "WFW". I could add a poll to determine what the H-W members think about this issue?