Wild needs science not opinion

As a retired Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife research biologist, and a lifelong hunter, I support Chris Bachman’s response (June 22) to Ward Halcomb’s guest opinion “Cougar Numbers Too High,” but here’s more of the science:

Overall, cougar harvest increased after the 1996 voter initiative ban on hunting with hounds, and harvest of female cougars increased so much that managers were concerned about population declines.

Studies of cougars in Eastern Washington show that rather than a deer a week, cougars eat a variety of animals based on availability, from moose to turkeys.

Studies of radio-collared deer and elk in Eastern Washington show annual survival rates of 80 to 95%. Annual deer fawn and elk calf survival rates were 40 to 45%, enough to maintain or allow populations to increase.

These studies also show female deer die from predation not just by cougars but also domestic dogs and coyotes, vehicle collisions, poaching and drowning. Most cow elk deaths were related to hunting, wounding and poaching. Nearly all deaths of adult male deer and elk were hunting related.

Habitat quality has the greatest impact on deer and elk numbers. Climate and weather affect forage and cover. Severe drought or heavy snow affect survival. Wildfires and logging can alter habitat for bad and good. Urban sprawl, roads and other changes destroy habitat.

WDFW manages wildlife for all Washington citizens, not just for the 3% who hunt. Hunting is regulated as recreation, not food gathering. Management is based on the scientific data that I and other biologists spent much of our lives collecting, and it’s too important to leave to opinion.

Woodrow L. Myers

Mead