WYOMING – On Feb. 27 Governor Gordon signed a bill establishing a mountain lion pursuit season for Wyoming residents to chase and tree mountain lions with the use of dogs as long as the mountain lion isn’t killed.

Senate File 178 will allow Wyoming residents to apply for a permit to pursue a lion even after a hunting tag is filled. Buckrail reported on the bill as it went from the Wyoming Senate to the House, but an amendment to the original text proposed by Representative John Eklund (R) has been adopted so that the bill no longer includes nonresidents as those able to apply for the pursuit permit.

This means Teton County residents will be allowed to continue using dogs to pursue mountain lions after the Teton County mortality maximum of three lions is reached.

The bill will become effective July 1, 2023.

River Stingray is a news reporter with a passion for wildlife, history and local lenses. She holds a Master's degree in environmental archaeology from the University of Cambridge and is also a published poet, dog mom and outdoor enthusiast.