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2008-2009 Cougar Hunting Seasons and Rules Effective through March 31, 2008 Download the 2008-2009 Cougar Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet PDF Format (274K) Summary This pamphlet is a summary of the hunting seasons and regulations (Chapters 232-12, 232-16 and 232-28 of the Washington Administrative Code) adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. This pamphlet does not contain nor is it intended to contain all department regulations. Regulations specific to the cougar seasons described in this pamphlet are found in Sections 232-28-272, 232-28-285 and 232-12-243 of the Washington Administrative Code. Caution: Emergency regulation changes may occur while seasons described in this pamphlet are in effect and will supersede information contained herein. Area news media will be informed of changes as they occur. Caution: Emergency regulation changes may occur while seasons described in this pamphlet are in effect and will supersede information contained herein. Area news media will be informed of changes as they occur.

Cougar Hunting Seasons and Rules Application Deadline: Midnight, September 24, 2008 COUGAR HUNTING SEASON WITH THE AID OF DOGS Kill Quotas: The cougar season uses a kill quota system, where hunters may hunt and kill cougar until the allotted numbers of cougar (see page 4) have been killed from each hunt zone or March 31, 2009, whichever occurs first. Kill quotas start September 1 and include all cougar killed during seasons with and without the aid of dogs, as well as depredation permits, landowner kill permits, and WDFW kills. Cougar Permit Season: Cougars may be hunted from December 1, 2008 until the female zone quota has been killed, the total zone quota has been killed, or March 31, 2009, whichever occurs first (EXCEPT the season opens January 1, 2009 in GMUs 101 and 204). Pursuit-Only Season: If either the total cougar zone or the female zone quota is reached prior to March 31, 2009, cougar may be pursued with dogs in all or portions of that zone until March 31, 2009. Hunters selected for a kill permit may participate in a pursuitonly season. If a quota is reached, the Department may also issue pursuit-only permits to hunters drawn at random from the unselected pool of applicants. Hunters may not kill cougar during a pursuit-only season. Bag Limit: One (1) cougar during the 2008-2009 permit season. It is illegal to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or an adult cougar accompanied by spotted kittens. License/Tag Required: A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar. Dog Handlers: Up to three dog handlers may accompany a permittee while hunting or pursuing cougar; “accompany” means the dog handler and permit hunter must be in the physical presence of each other at the time dogs are released from a leash or unrestrained or starting a cougar track. Once dogs are in the act of tracking a cougar, the permit hunter and handler may separate, but work together while listening to locate the dog(s). However, the permit hunter and handler must be in the physical presence of each other if the handler is at a treed cougar. Transporting a dog(s) in a motorized vehicle or walking a dog on a leash is not pursuit. Each permit hunter will be issued three dog handler ID cards and vehicle placards, and each dog handler must have these in their possession while participating in a cougar hunt. Who May Apply: Anyone who is a Washington resident and owns dogs capable of tracking and baying a cougar. If a quota is not reached in a hunt zone by January 15, then the Department may issue permits to additional hunters (hunters will be drawn at random from the unselected pool of applicants and must be a resident of one of the five counties). How to Apply: Permit applications may be purchased at any hunting and fishing license dealership, by calling toll-free 1-866-246-9453, or online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. Permit applications go on sale starting August 25, 2008. The cost of an application for a special hunt permit is $5.48. Once an application is purchased, there are two ways to submit an application for a cougar permit. You may either call the toll-free permit application submission telephone number 1-877-945-3492 or visit the Internet website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. See page 74 in the 2008 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet for more information on how to apply. Application Deadline: Midnight, September 24, 2008 Notification: Individuals selected will be notified by November 14, 2008 by telephone or mail. Individuals selected for a permit will be required to have a veterinarian sign an affidavit verifying the selected individual owns dogs. Permits may not be sold or reassigned by the hunter. Contact Information Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Program - Cougar Hunt 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091 Phone: (360) 902-2515 Disqualifications: A permit will not be issued to any person who has been convicted of unlawful use of dogs under RCW 77.15.245 within the five year period prior to December 1, 2004. Any person issued a permit who is subsequently convicted of any wildlife offense while participating in a pursuit-or-kill or pursuit-only season, or who violates any condition of the permit, will have the permit revoked and will be ineligible to participate in the remainder of the pilot program. Hunter Training: Successful applicants must complete a training program prior to participating in a permit season with the aid of dogs. The training program is comprised of printed materials on cougar sex identification, species identification (i.e., lynx, bobcat, black bear, and grizzly bear), and hunt season rules. Individuals selected for a cougar permit must sign the affidavit indicating they read the materials. Mandatory Reporting: All hunters must report their hunting activity (whether they harvest a cougar or not) using the toll-free quota hotline. Hunters who harvest a cougar must notify the department within 24 hours of kill (excluding legal state holidays) and provide the hunter’s name, Wild ID, date and Game Management Unit of kill, and sex of animal. The raw pelt of the cougar (with proof of sex naturally attached) must be sealed by an authorized department employee within five days of the notification of kill. Any person who takes a cougar must present the cougar skull in such a manner that teeth and biological samples can be extracted to an authorized department employee at the time of sealing. Please call a regional office to make arrangements to have a cougar checked. Permit hunters that purchased a cougar transport but did not hunt or harvest a cougar must report their cougar hunting activity by April 10. Quota Hotline: All cougar hunters must call the cougar quota hotline within 24 hours prior to each day hunting cougar to determine if the zone quota has been reached and the zone is closed. Toll-free 1-866-DOG-HUNT (1-866-364-4868) or (509) 625-4700 Permit Only Seasons Hunt Choice Hunt Zone Area Description QUOTA 2008-2009 Permits Total Female 9001 Okanogan Those portions of GMUs 203, 209, 215, 218, 233, 224, 231, 239, and 242 within Okanogan County 17 7 17 9002 Chelan Those portions of GMUs 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, and 251 within Chelan County 6 2 6 9003 Ferry-Okanogan GMUs 101, 204 16 6 16 9004 Stevens-Pend Oreille Those portions of GMUs 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121 within Stevens and Pend Oreille counties 23 9 23 9005 Klickitat Those portions of GMUs 382, 388, and 578 within Klickitat County 6 2 6 Quota Hotline and Reporting Requirements Before going hunting After going hunting Permit hunters must call the cougar quota hotline before going hunting to find out if the hunt zone is open or closed for killing a cougar. Call toll-free 1-866-DOG-HUNT (1-866-364-4868) or (509) 625- 4700. If a permit hunter kills a cougar, he or she must notify WDFW within 24 hours of the kill. Please call the quota hotline or any WDFW Regional office to report a kill. Hunters also must present the cougar skull and pelt (with proof of sex naturally attached) to WDFW within 5 days of notification of kill for sealing. Present the skull and hide so that teeth and biological samples can be taken. Placing a stick or wedge in the cougar’s mouth after harvesting it aids in the removal of teeth. No one may possess an open WDFW seal for cougar unless the seal has been cut by a licensed taxidermist or fur dealer who has received and invoiced the pelt for processing.   COUGAR HUNTING SEASON WITHOUT THE AID OF DOGS Attention Hunters: General cougar season has changed in Klickitat County. Hunt Area 2008-09 General Seasons Special Restrictions Statewide, except GMUs 101-121, 203, 204, 209-247, 249-251, 382, 388, and 578 within Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille or Klickitat counties Aug. 1, 2008 – Mar. 15, 2009 Any legal weapon. GMUs 101-121, 203, 204, 209-247, 249-251, 382, 388, and 578 within Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, or Klickitat counties Oct. 11 – Nov. 19, 2008 Any legal weapon. Sept. 1 – Oct. 10, 2008 & Nov. 20 – Nov. 30, 2008 Archery or muzzleloader only (Archery and muzzleloader deer or elk hunters may hunt for cougar during their respective deer or elk seasons and must use equipment consistent with their deer or elk tag) License/Tag Required A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar. A second cougar transport tag/license may be purchased to take a second cougar. Bag Limit Two (2) cougar during the 2008-2009 general hunting season; Except only one cougar may be harvested during a cougar permit hunt. It is illegal to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or an adult cougar accompanied by spotted kittens. Cougar Hunt Zones Click on map to enlarge Hunting Method Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader equipment for hunting cougar, EXCEPT during archery or muzzleloader only seasons in GMUs 101-121, 203, 204, 209-247, 249-251, 382, 388, and 578 within Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille or Klickitat counties. The use of dogs to hunt cougar is prohibited EXCEPT during Public Safety Cougar Removal and Commission authorized permit hunts. COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. If I apply for a public safety cougar removal permit, can I also apply for a cougar permit for the new hunt in northeastern Washington? A. Yes, you can apply for and, if selected, participate in both hunts. However, the bag is one (1) cougar. The general seasons bag limit is two (2) cougar. Q. During a cougar permit hunt, can a designated dog handler harvest a cougar? A. No, only the permit hunter may harvest a cougar. Q. Can a dog handler pursue cougar? A. Yes, but the permit hunter must be in the physical presence of the handler when dogs are unleashed, unrestrained, or starting a cougar track. Once dogs are in the act of tracking a cougar, the permit hunter and handler may separate, but work together while listening to locate the dogs. However, the permit hunter must be in the physical presence of the handler at a treed cougar. A dog handler can walk a dog on a leash or transport a dog in a motorized vehicle when he/she is not in the physical presence of the permit hunter. Q. What is included in the training program for permit cougar hunts with the aid of dogs? A. The training program is comprised of printed materials on cougar sex identification, species identification (i.e., lynx, bobcat, black bear, and grizzly bear), and hunt season rules. Individuals selected for a cougar permit must sign and return For more information, please contact: WDFW, Wildlife Program 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091; phone (360) 902-2515;