PREDATORS -- The Washington Senate approved another extension of a long-standing pilot program that allows the hunting of cougars with dogs in northeastern Washington and Klickitat County.

The Senate approved the measure Tuesday 37-1. It would expand for another five years a pilot program created in 2004 that allowed tightly regulated hunts to take place in some counties in eastern Washington.

The pilot program has been extended twice.

In 1996, Washington voters approved an initiative that banned such hunts.

The measure heads to the House for further consideration.