Cougar-hunting pilot program enters third year

Hound hunters have until Saturday to apply for permits in the third year of a three-year pilot cougar-hunting season with the aid of dogs. The season begins Dec. 1 in five northeastern Washington counties.

Hunting cougars with dogs was banned statewide by public initiative in 1996. However, the Washington Legislature voted in 2004 to allow hunting cougars with hounds during specific seasons in Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties in response to issues of public safety and livestock depredation.

The hunt is limited to Washington residents who own hunting dogs that are capable of tracking and treeing cougar. Hunters may hunt only with dogs they own and must report any cougars they kill.

The state will issue up to 40 permits for Okanogan County, 20 for Chelan, 35 Okanogan-Ferry, and 50 for Stevens-Pend Oreille.

Hunters selected for a cougar permit will be notified by Sept. 30.

In Idaho, the Panhandle provides almost a third of the state cougar harvest, but the success is declining.

Mountain lion numbers grew rapidly during the early 1990’s, and hunting was particularly good. Cougar numbers began declining in 1998 are now at reduced levels, Idaho Fish and Game officials said, noting that cougar hunters can expect more difficulty finding a lion this year than the past few years.