Cougar Management The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has the responsibility to conserve our cougar populations. For some people simply knowing that cougars roam our forests is enjoyment enough. While others enjoy the cougar from a hunter’s perspective, as one of our most elusive game animals. The cougar was once bounty hunted and poisoned as a threat to humans and a predator of livestock. Beginning in the early 1970’s, regulated hunting seasons or closures began replacing programs designed to eliminate the cat. Washington populations have more than doubled since the early 1980’s. Our increasing cougar and human populations and decreasing habitat creates new management challenges. The WDFW is responding to over 500 complaints a year regarding urban sightings, attacks on livestock and pets, and cougar/human confrontations. The Department believes that the most cost effective way to control cougar populations is through recreational hunting. In 1996, public concern over cougar hunting methods led to a citizens vote that eliminated hound hunting of cougar. This initiative is expected to reduce the number of cougar harvested during the cougar hunting season. Since the majority of cougar habitat in Washington State exists in federal parks, wilderness areas, and forests; cougar populations should prosper well into the future. To learn more about cougars in Washington, contact the: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Management Program (360) 902-2515 E-Mail: wildthing@dfw.wa.gov To report attacks, damage or depredation by cougars, contact your local state patrol office.

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