Annual Cougar Season Setting

Rule-making status: Permanent

Summary of proposed rule

The purpose of the amendment to WAC 220-415-100 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations is to add additional recreational cougar hunting opportunity in specific geographical areas with the primary purpose of addressing a cougar and ungulate management concern by using recreational hunting through a second cougar harvest opportunity in identified game management units (GMUs).

Scope and rationale for proposed rule

WDFW expects an increase in cougar harvest in the GMUs that constitute the population management units (PMU) 9, 10, and 11, where the Blue Mountain Elk are more susceptible to cougar caused mortality. WDFW also anticipates a corresponding increase in juvenile elk survival in PMUs 9, 10, and 11, where in recent years the agency has observed insufficient juvenile elk survival to achieve population growth or stability in the Blue Mountain elk population. This amendment will add the cougar PMU numbers to each of the hunt areas. This amendment will provide additional hunting opportunity to hunters who elect to pursue a second cougar within the identified GMUs, and clearly identify the PMU numbers and the GMUs associated with each.

Public comments

The comment period has closed as of June 25, 2022.

To view comments received for this proposal, please visit the Annual Cougar Season Setting engagement page.

Public hearing

June 25, 2022 9:00 am- held online and in-person
Watch the recording on TVW

Natural Resources Building
(NRB) – Room 175
1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia, Washington 98504

Date of adoption: July 15, 2022

  • July 26, 2022

    CR-103 Notice of Adoption Filed

  • July 15, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Decision

    The FWC voted to adopt the rule as proposed by a 5-4 vote.

  • June 25, 2022

    Fish and Wildlife Commission Public Hearing

    Verbal public testimony on the proposed rule was accepted at this time.

  • May 18, 2022

    CR-102 Rule Proposal Filed

    Public comments were accepted during a comment period at this time.

  • November 30, 2021

    CR-101 Rule Preproposal Notice Filed

November 2021

For more information

Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact:
833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.