Dealing with a conflict can be difficult because it is often a community issue. A property owner or the owners immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill a cougar on that property if it is damaging domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). The plan is assembled by the WDFW Wildlife Program and guides the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissions policy decisions. Gene Mueller The Washington Times - September 25, 2008, 01:00PM. Garbage attracts small mammals that, in turn, attract cougars. The states cougar population is so ruthless, in fact, that the local wolves are being killed at a shocking rate. Like in the US, the European settlers overhunted the mountain lions, but the population has bounced back over time and with new laws protecting them. While recreating in a cougars territory, you can avoid close encounters by taking the following precautions: Cougars rarely carry any communicable diseases that are regarded as threats to humans in Washington. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly when hiking in dense cover or when sitting, crouching, or lying down. Cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare. When visible, their droppings typically resemble those of most species in the dog and cat families. Mountain Lions are the largest predators currently in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) states that cougars can be found in the forested regions of the state, which represent around 34,168 square miles. Okay, technically, its a mosquito. Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. A dog can see, smell, and hear a cougar sooner than we can. Cougars usually carry or drag their kills to a secluded area under cover to feed, and drag marks are frequently found at fresh kill sites. Poaching lawin the State of Washington provides some protection of mountain lions in law, but only as a deterrent. Count yourself very lucky if you spot one of these elusive big catsshy and wide-ranging, the park's mountain lions are rarely seen. Rehabilitatorsmustkeep daily records and submit an annual report to theWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, cougars have well developed premolars that can slice through bone and hide. Although dogs offer little value as a deterrent to cougars, they may distract a cougar from attacking a human. Download our Discover Washington's cougars brochure. The fact is, WDFW has done too much but true understanding of the danger to the species is difficult to achieve because it is counterintuitive, and the real situation may not become glaringly apparent until it is far too late. Complaints are not a valid indicator of the sustainability of cougar populations. It was the state's first confirmed fatal cougar attack in 94 years. Since then, state authorities have recorded 19 other cougar-human encounters that resulted in a documented injury, including a second fatal attack in 2018. A man on a fishing and camping trip with his family decided to go on a hike around Carl's Lake in northeast Washington in September 2021 to scout for elk. Can I shoot a cougar on my property in Washington state? Hunters who are successful in taking a mountain lion must call the GFP Regional Office at 605.394.2391, or CSP office headquarters at 605.255.4515, during weekday office hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.), or call State Radio at 605.393.8121 during nights and weekends. Cougars generally cover their droppings with loose soil. TheWashington Fish and Wildlife Commissionis made up of nine members who serve 6-year terms. Hunting is legal, but the use of dogs was banned in 1996. info@mountainlion.org. The Blue Mountains elk herd is one of 10 identified in Washington State. The cougars ability to travel long distances occasionally brings these cats into seemingly inappropriate areas, even places densely settled by humans. Cougars rely on short bursts of speed to ambush their prey. See theCougar hunting area openings and closures page for the current status of cougar hunt areas. Description and Range. Special sessions are limited to 30 consecutive days. Be aggressive and try to stay on your feet. A rash of sightings in Cooper Landing in the 1980s turned out to be a large yellow dog. There are now an estimated 5,000-9,000 . Montana Mountain Lion Monitoring & Management Strategy. A cougar may stalk an animal for an hour or more. Well-established adults are replaced by inexperienced and competing young. It is unlawful to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens (usually <80 lbs ) or adult cougars accompanied by spotted kittens. However, when humans occupy areas in or near wildlife habitat, and people choose to keep livestock animals such as goats, sheep, and chicken cougar sightings and attacks on livestock and pets may occur. After the passage of I-655 in 1996, hounds were banned for recreational cougar hunting. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. Officials say the cats may be looking for new territory or simply just traveling through the communities. For example, in Washington, where researchers learned that the mountain lion population was increasing by 14%, hunting has been . Wildlife offices throughout Washington respond to cougar sightings when there is a threat to public safety or property. Dont feed wildlife and feral cats (domestic cats gone wild). No day beds preparation takes place. At least three commissioners must reside east of the Cascade Mountains and at least three must reside west of the Cascade Mountains. Adult males average approximately 140 pounds but in rare cases may weigh 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. Its entrenched in the culture, policy, and practice of wildlife management. But mountain lions are considered extinct in the eastern United States. Height at shoulder: 25-30 in. Keep small children close to the group, preferably in plain sight ahead of you. Mountain Lions (Cougars) Information We Should Know. However, there have been many attempts to overturn Initiative 655 since it was passed. Cougars hiss, purr, mew, growl, yowl, chirp, and cry. A compilation of mountain lions captures on my stealth trail cameras, which were set in a rural location of Northeast Washington. In the eternal canine vs. feline struggle, mountain lions in Washington and Oregon have been scoring kills on wolves, but don't count on that happening too often in Wyoming. Unlike some other states, Washington does not allow citizens to amend its constitution through initiatives. Always leave the animal an escape route. The first European settlers arrived in the Texas Hill country in the early 1800s and viewed mountain lions as a dangerous threat to their own survival as well as a predator threat to their livestock. return to Inside Outside. The lower chamber the House of Representatives is made up of 98 members who serve 2-year terms. In 1933, cougars were classified statewide as a predator, and in 1935, a bounty was emplaced by the state legislature. The mountain lion will see small children as easier prey. Your chances of encountering a mountain lion are small. Cougar tend to leave soft tracks, meaning the animals make very little impact on the ground, and their tracks may be virtually invisible on packed earth or crusted snow. * Isola Kennedy (38), Earl Wilson (10) - July 5, 1909 - Morgan Hill, California. This is a list of known or suspected fatal cougar attacks that occurred in North America by decade in chronological order. You can call a toll-free number on 800 792-1112. Like house cats scratching furniture, cougars mark their territory boundaries by leaving claw marks on trees, stumps, and occasionally fence posts. 197 pounds! Harvest guidelines are based on recommendations in Washingtons Game Management Plan. Daybeds are frequently near kill sites. The sub-population in Florida is known as the Florida panther. Keep dogs and cats indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. This includes deer, raccoons, and other small mammals. . The first European explorers of Washington were fur traders, traveling on foot and by canoe in the late 1700s. Stop, pick up small children immediately, and dont run. Box 1896 There are few more divisive issues than conservation of the States big predators: wolves, bears, and cougars. With about 90,000 square kilometers of habitat (34,168 square miles), Washingtons cougar population is currently somewhere around 1,500 animals and likely declining due to increased trophy hunting and habitat loss. Placing a stick or wedge in the cougar's mouth after harvesting it aids in the removal of teeth. Killing between the species is rare here, and mountain lions remain below wolves on the pecking order, Dan Thompson, a large carnivore specialist with the Wyoming Game . The states beautiful wilderness and mountainous terrain are prime mountain lion habitats. Washington prohibits the killing of spotted kittens and adult mountain lions accompanied by spotted kittens. The outcry that agencies havent done enough can be compelling. Light all walkways after dark and avoid landscaping with plants that deer prefer to eat. Try to appear larger than the cougar. Whats the name of the mountain lion in Florida? Even where little debris is available, bits of soil, rock, grass or sticks may be used to cover the carcass. Adult cougars typically prey on deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, and wild sheep, with deer being the preferred and most common prey. Its no surprise, then, that in the competition between the wolves and mountain lions of Washington, the cougars come out on top every time. If a mountain lion is caught in a trap, it must be released unharmed. Washington maintains thiswebsiteto help you locate your state legislators. Status of Cougars in Washington State. Often these males will make a kill, feed until full, leave to patrol the area, and return to feed on the carcass days later.). Copies of the rehabilitators daily records from the year must be submitted along with his or her annual report. Left outside at night, small dogs and cats may become prey for cougars. In 2012, Washington state heeded this data, lowered its hunting quota and saw a marked . Keep children close to you. However, the WDFW may allow the use of dogs during public safety cougar removals.. Washingtonpolicyallows a person to kill any mountain lion that is attacking a person or posing an immediate threat of physical harm to a person. Furtherpolicystates that the killing of a mountain lion in order to protect a person must be reported to the WDFW with 24 hours and the carcass must be surrendered to the WDFW or its designees. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, panther, or puma. The use of dogs for recreational harvest of cougar is prohibited statewide. 1 /2 Cyclist mauled to death by mountain lion on forest trail near Seattle. To collect data, FWP biologists and local houndsmen use trained dogs to track, tree and dart mountain lions in order . The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. In Washington state, the first fatal cougar attack on a human was reported in 1924. According to WDFW biologists, theres little to be done about the growing conflict between predators. Amy Hatfield . Unfortunately, the WDFW reported that this is a growing trend among the competing predators. To increase effectiveness, string barbed wire or four electric wires between the extensions, alternating positive and negative wires. Clear shrubs away around the bus stop, making an area with a 30-foot radius. In 1966, the Washington Game Commission classified cougars as a game animal. Since 1966, recreational hunters have killed at least 8,500 cougars in the state. In Washington, there's been a reported 18 mountain lion sightings in the last 30 days. If the mountain lion cannot be released unharmed, the trapper is to notify the WDFW immediately. An average dropping measures 4 to 6 inches long by 1 to 1 inches in diameter. The Cascade Mountains are an important habitat for mountain lions in the region, and a stable population lives within the state. 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