Texas Parks and Wildlife sets rules for mountain lion hunting

For the first time in state history, Texas policymakers have enacted rules and regulations regarding mountain lion hunting and trapping.

This week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved new regulations that prohibit canned mountain lion hunting and establish a 36-hour trap check period to ensure live mountain lions are treated humanely.

Previously, of the 16 states where mountain lions were kept, Texas was the only state that did not regulate the hunting and harvesting of the species. The new regulations prohibit the capture and subsequent release of a mountain lion for the purpose of pursuing and killing, or keeping a mountain lion alive in traps or snares for a period longer than 36 hours. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 but no jail time.

The new regulation updates the state’s mountain lion policy to be consistent with current Texas fur lion breeding regulations and ethical harvesting standards. Previously, in Texas, mountain lions could be trapped and hunted year-round, with no restrictions on fishing, hunting seasons or the requirement to report a lion kill.

Texans for Mountain Lions coalition member and nature filmmaker Ben Masters praised the decision, stating that “mountain lions are important to Texas culture and belong to the future of our state.” Texans for Mountain Lions is a coalition of landowners, biologists, conservationists and organizations dedicated to improving and protecting the mountain lion in Texas.

“If there is one thing Texans can agree on, it is that our state’s symbol of wildlife, the mountain lion, should not be left in traps for days or weeks until it dies from dehydration and exposure,” he said Masters. “It has been inspiring to see farmers, trappers, hunters, hippies, outfitters, biologists and wildlife advocates from across the state come together to support a more respectful approach to our cats.”

AND 2022 Texas A&M University Study found that 75% of the more than 700 citizens surveyed support trap checking periods of 36 hours or less for mountain lions. Livestock owners and hunters were equally supportive of the measure as non-hunters and non-livestock owners, Texans for Mountain Lions said in a news release.

this year, the Texans for Mountain Lions Advisory Group released a report outlining its three priorities: Texas collecting more data on mountain lion distribution, abundance and mortality; for Texas to create an official cougar management plan; and that canned puma hunting should be banned. The 11 Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners then asked for an opportunity to provide public comment on the actions and voted in favor Thursday.

“It’s encouraging to see the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department actually and thoughtfully move the needle on behalf of a species that so many Texans value as part of our natural heritage and that gives back by supporting the health of our ecosystems,” said Patricia Harveson, member of the Texans Coalition for Mountain Lions” and wildlife researcher who has spent most of her career studying mountain lions.