Summary of proposed rule
The rule proposal seeks to maintain a sustainable cougar hunting season. The rule proposal sets a “cap” on the number of cougars that may be harvested or otherwise taken per year per population management unit and sets the cougar hunting season to start on September 1 and end on March 31 each year. The rule proposal also eliminates the allowance for harvesting a second cougar within the same license year statewide.
Scope and rationale for proposed rule
This rule proposal is responding to and supporting a rule petition (PDF) that the Fish and Wildlife Commission accepted on December 15, 2023. The petition requests that the department revisit the topic of cougar hunting seasons and a previous rule that was adopted in 2020.The rule proposal amends WAC 220-415-100 based on the rule petition.
Public hearing
June 20-21, 2024 at 8:00 am.
This will be a hybrid meeting at the following location:
Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662
Information on how to register to testify at the public hearing is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission.meetings, or contact the Commission office at (360)-902-2267.
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
For more information
Staff Contact: Heather Bonagofski at Heather.Bonagofksi@dfw.wa.gov
Public comments
To view and submit comments on the public engagement page for this rule making proposal, please visit the https://publicinput.com/2024cougarseasonsetting
You may also leave comments by sending an email to 2024cougarseasonsetting@publicinput.com or by leaving a voicemail message at 855-925-2801 and entering project code 1261.
The comment period ends at 11:59 pm on June 21, 2024.