Washington Bill to Allow Cougar Hunting




		Washington Bill to Allow Cougar Hunting
		A new Washington bill would allow for limited cougar hunting in the state. Since the passage of a 1996 voter initiative to ban cougar hunting, the state’s lion population has reached a potentially dangerous level. Senate Bill 6118 provides for a three-year program to investigate the effectiveness of hunting with hounds to control the cougar population. It provides funding for a study by Washington State University to determine the hunt’s effectiveness. The bill, introduced by Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, is currently in the Senate Committee on Parks, Fisheries, and Wildlife. Since 1996, Washington's mountain lions have become less fearful of humans, creating safety concerns. The animals are also interfering with the state’s elk reintroduction program. Cougar incidents have been most prevalent in the northern counties of Ferry, Okanogan and Stevens. To date, 20 percent of the reintroduced elk have been killed by cougars. Take action! Washington sportsmen should call their senators and ask them to vote “yes” on SB 6118. A limited cougar hunting program should be implemented to ensure the safety of those who live in the remote areas and to optimize the potential success of the elk reintroduction. To find your senator and for contact information, call (360) 753-5000 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org. Source: U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
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