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).
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.
Documents
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
For more information
Staff Contact: heather.bonagofski@dfw.wa.gov
Assistance for Additional Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities Contact:
Title VI/ADA Compliance Coordinator
Phone: (360) 902-2349, TTY: 1-800-833-6388 OR 711
Email: Title6@dfw.wa.gov
Annual Cougar Season Setting - Timeline
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July 26, 2022
CR-103 Notice of Adoption Filed
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July 15, 2022
Fish and Wildlife Commission Decision
The FWC voted to adopt the rule as proposed by a 5-4 vote.
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June 25, 2022
Fish and Wildlife Commission Public Hearing
Verbal public testimony on the proposed rule was accepted at this time.
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May 18, 2022
CR-102 Rule Proposal Filed
Public comments were accepted during a comment period at this time.
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November 30, 2021
CR-101 Rule Preproposal Notice Filed
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.