State seeks comments on cougar hunting

OLYMPIA – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking written comments on a proposed cougar hunting rule change.

The proposed rule would increase the cougar bag limit for individual hunters in the areas where monitoring has shown a high level of cougar predation on elk calves in the Blue Mountain Elk herd. This proposed rule change would allow hunters to pursue a second cougar within the identified areas.

"This proposed rule is in response to a recent WDFW monitoring effort that showed higher than expected calf mortality attributed to cougar predation in the Blue Mountains," state Game Division Manager Anis Aoude said. "We are seeking your feedback on this proposed rule change."

Cougars are hunted during a general hunting season from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

Beginning on Jan. 1, season closure is regulated by harvest guidelines until April 30. The proposed rule does not recommend changes to any of the seasons or harvest guidelines.

Written comments may be submitted through June 25 via email at [email protected] or mail to WDFW Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200

A public hearing on the proposed rule change will take place June 23-25 at the state Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting.

Approval of the rule is projected for July 15 by agency employees.