Success!
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted by a margin of 8-to-1 on July 19 to approve the new cougar rule, which will take effect in time for the 2024-2025 hunting season that begins in September. Thanks to everyone who helped contribute to this decision! Please take a moment to send an email to commissioners expressing gratitude for this vote commission@dfw.wa.gov!
In December 2023, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 7-2 to approve our rulemaking petition asking it to consider new rules to decrease excessive and unsustainable mortality of the state’s cougars and bears. Progress then stalled, but thanks to your support, the Commission is now considering a new rule that would protect Washington’s cougars.
On April 19, 2024, five commissioners voted in favor of Vice-Chair Tim Ragen’s motion to develop a rule that would cap all human-caused cougar mortality at 13% of the population in each state cougar population unit. Three commissioners opposed this motion and one abstained.
This vote was another significant step in our campaign to change a rule that over the past several years has allowed statewide cougar mortality levels to soar to record levels, with 20-50% of the cougar population dying annually in some management units.
However, the April 19 debate shows that we still face a challenge to pass the new rule in time for the 2024-25 hunting season. Department Director Kelly Susewind and Commissioner Molly Linville were visibly angry during the vote, with Linville threatening the other commissioners that their vote was going to bring on a “firestorm.”
That is why it is so important to show up for Washington’s cougars. . .one more time. Please help us make sure we keep our momentum and see this rule passed before the next hunting season.
Comments on the draft rule are due June 21, and the Commission will hold a public hearing to hear testimony at its June 21-22,2024 meeting in at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662.
We will be posting more information on how to comment and testify about the rule soon, so please make sure you have signed up for updates, and we will keep you posted!
Help Us Stay in the Fight!
Asking for money is hard. But our campaign for Washington’s cougars has been lengthy and expensive—and it is far from over. We are a tiny, state-based, grassroots organization, attempting to stand up to well-funded national machines like the National Rifle Association and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. Please donate today to help us continue our advocacy for cougars, bears, wolves, and all of Washington’s wild species.