New hunting, trapping rules aim to protect Texas mountain lions
There is very little data on whether mountain lions are increasing, decreasing, or stable in the state.
By Ariana GarciaApril 23, 2024
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public input on new restrictions on the hunting and trapping of mountain lions in the state.
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is considering proposed restrictions on hunting and trapping of mountain lions in the state. The secretive felines are relatively uncommon and have the widest distribution of any wildcat from Canada to South America. In the Lone Star State, mountain lions can be found throughout the Trans-Pecos, the brushlands of South Texas, and the western Hill Country. While many states have updated their hunting and trapping rules for mountain lions, Texas has not yet done so.
"As more people began to look at mountain lions in Texas, the landscape practices related to mountain lions became more visible," Richard Heilbrun, wildlife diversity program director with TPWD, told Chron.
Currently, Texas does not ban canned hunting—the capture and later release of a mountain lion for the purpose of hunting. The state is considering banning the practice following the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, which prohibits most instances of possession of mountain lions, but does not address the disposition of lions that may be released from traps, TPWD said.
In Texas, mountain lions can be found throughout the Trans-Pecos, the brushlands of South Texas, and the western Hill Country.
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Texas also does not require traps set for mountain lions to be checked. Concerns have been raised that some mountain lions are left to perish in traps, which many consider to be inhumane and potentially damaging to the reputation of trapping and hunting, TPWD said. The state agency has proposed a regulation requiring trappers to ensure that lions are not kept alive in traps or snares for more than 36 hours. The 36-hour rule would not apply to traps that cannot restrain a lion or are immediately lethal.
The proposal also provides a blanket exemption to the 36-hour requirement for traps that have a breakaway device allowing a cable snare to disassemble when subjected to a force of 285 pounds or less. " Mountain lions are likely able to pull with 285 pounds of force or more," TPWD said in a statement.
The recommended changes were brought forth by a mountain lion stakeholder group formed by TPWD. Under the new language, said trappers, ranchers, and livestock producers would still be able to remove lions on their property, Heilbrun said. "These proposed changes would allow Texas to update the hunting and trapping rules for mountain lions to reflect updated ethical practices while still providing flexibility to ranchers and trappers to be able to manage their land and livestock," he added.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering banning canned hunting of mountain lions.
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TPWD has very little data on whether mountain lions are increasing, decreasing, or stable in Texas. The mountain lion stakeholder group said the new rules would help improve TPWD's understanding of the species population size and status. "Some large research projects over the last 30 years have indicated potential problems, including a potential genetic bottleneck in South Texas, and high mortality rates among study populations in West Texas," Heilbrun said.
TPWD is seeking public input on the the proposed changes before any action is taken by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission during a public meeting on May 23. The commission has the option to set an implementation date if they take action. In the past, rule changes have taken effect within weeks after approval and others beginning with the new hunting season on Sept. 1, Heilbrun said. |
