Cougars are notoriously reclusive animals. They are extremely difficult to hunt without the aid of dogs and this leads to frustrated efforts to appropriately manage their numbers where dog hunting bans are in place. House Bill 1124 would allow the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to authorize the use of dogs to hunt cougars in certain situations, such as public safety, within specific game management units. This legislation will provide the stateās wildlife biologists access to the most effective method of managing Washingtonās growing cougar populations. Please contact your member of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources committee IMMEDIATELY by phone or e-mail and urge him or her to support HB 1124 and science-based wildlife management practices.
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