WYOMING – On Jan. 30 a bill that would allow hunters to chase and tree mountain lions with the use of dogs passed in the Wyoming Senate and was introduced to the House.
Senate File 178 was proposed by Senator Brian Boner along with Representatives Jeremy Haroldson and Cyrus Western. The bill would establish a mountain lion pursuit season in areas where mountain lion hunting is already authorized, although pursuit season would prohibit the killing of any lion. Residents and nonresidents would need a permit to pursue, which they could acquire even if a hunting tag has already been filled.
District 16 State Senator Dan Dockstader (R) voted in favor of the bill while Senator Mike Gierau (D) of District 16 voted against it.
The mountain lion mortality limit in Teton County during the Sept. 1 to March 31 hunting season is currently listed at three lions, the lowest maximum out of all Wyoming counties. The new bill would allow the continued use of dogs to pursue mountain lions in Teton County after the mortality maximum is reached.
The bill aims to help people to continue protecting livestock and property when they are no longer permitted to shoot a lion. Buckrail recently reported on increased mountain lion activity in Teton Valley due to winter conditions.
The public can leave comments about the bill here.
