This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

CR-102 is a proposed rule to reform cougar hunting in Washington. The rule will reduce the number of cougars killed by hunters and involve expertise from scientists instead of just input from hunters.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is calling for comments regarding the proposed rule to reform cougar hunting. The commission will be voting on the rule at its upcoming meeting in July. Send in your comment today to help protect cougars in Washington!

Mountain lions face numerous threats in addition to being hunted. They often secondarily ingest rodenticide poisons by eating rodents and other small mammals who have consumed poisons. They also face habitat destruction and fragmentation and are at risk of being hit by cars, as was the tragic fate of P-22, the beloved cougar in Los Angeles.

There are several protections for cougars that this rule will set in place. For one, it will set a limit on the amount of cougars who can be killed, which does not just include the ones who are hunted, but any human-caused mortality. This will reduce the overall number of cougars killed in Washington. The rules also allow for the hunting season to be closed even if the set limit has not been reached if the cougars are facing other threats such as spikes in disease.

While we would love to see no cougars hunted, this is a positive step in the right direction to protect these magnificent animals and give them some respite from the people who consider hunting a “sport.”

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Support for CR-102

I am writing to you as a resident of Washington to thank you for moving forward with the recommendations from the Commission regarding cougar hunting reform, and to ask that you adopt CR-102. 

These rules will be crucial in protecting mountain lions in the state and ensuring there is a healthy population of these animals for years to come. Science-based management is crucial to understanding the needs of cougar populations in Washington. I especially support the consideration of indirect human-caused and other threats cougars may face such as disease and habitat fragmentation in the decision to close hunting in specific population management units. 

Additionally, I urge the Commission not to allow hunting at all in units where human-caused cougar mortality exceeds the limit in future years.

Thank you for prioritizing the well-being of these magnificent animals who call Washington home; please adopt CR-102.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.