NwOutdoorShop

Introduced by Sen. Bob Morton on January 12, 2004, to establish a three-year pilot program to control better the cougar population in Washington. The pilot program would allow limited hound hunting during certain times of each year and would be administered by Washington State University. The bill appropriates twenty thousand dollars or “as much...as may be necessary" to carry out this pilot program.
Referred to the Senate Parks, Fish and Wildlife Committee on January 12, 2004.
Testimony in support offered to the Senate Parks, Fish and Wildlife Committee on February 3, 2004, by Mary Lou Peterson, Okanagon County Commission; Ed Owens, Hunters Heritage Council; Joel Kretz, Okanagon Farm Bureau, who testified that to protect public safety, counties with cougar problems need more ways to control the cougar population.
Testimony in opposition offered to the Senate Parks, Fish and Wildlife Committee on February 3, 2004, by Steve Pozzanghera, Bruce Bjork, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Katherine Bragdon, Humane Society of the United States; Mark Skatrud, Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, who testified that the use of hunting dogs is cruel. The program of cougar control is fine now.
Substitute offered to the Senate Parks, Fish and Wildlife Committee on February 4, 2004, to develop a cooperative process so that five counties and the Fish and Wildlife Commission can address the problem. The substitute passed in committee on February 4, 2004.
Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 5, 2004.
Passed in the Senate (33 to 15) on February 13, 2004, establishing a three-year pilot program to control better the cougar population in Washington. [Vote Details and Comments]
Introduced in the House on February 14, 2004.
Referred to the House Fisheries, Ecology & Parks Committee on February 14, 2004.
Amendment offered to the House Fisheries, Ecology & Parks Committee on February 27, 2004, to allow counties other than Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Chelan, and Okanogan to participate in the pilot program, and directs the WDFW to work with counties in developing recommendations to the Commission. The amendment passed in committee but was not adoppted upon final passage by the House.
Referred to the House Rules Committee on February 27, 2004.
Amendment offered by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson on March 4, 2004, to prohibit the selling, bartering, or mounting of cougar carcasses and pelts harvested under the cougar hunting pilot program. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on March 4, 2004.
Amendment offered by Rep. Bob Sump on March 4, 2004, to require that all rules adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission for the cougar hunting pilot project ensure that the hunting is done to protect public safety or property, is reflective of the most current cougar population information, is consistent with a study on cougar populations being conducted by Washington State University, and generates information that is useful in developing a required report. Removes references to dates. Allows additional counties to participate if they take certain actions. Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to prepare certain reports to the Legislature and to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 4, 2004.
Passed in the House (90 to 5) on March 4, 2004, establishing a pilot program to better control the cougar population in Washington. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the Senate on March 8, 2004, and the Senate concurred with the House amendments.
Passed in the Senate (34 to 14) on March 8, 2004. [Vote Details and Comments]
Signed with partial veto by Gov. Gary Locke on March 31, 2004, regarding establishing a three-year pilot program to control better the cougar population in Washington.

trapper T

The flaw here is why is a College basically regulating something that should be up to the WDFW?

I know that with the stupid initative the Hippies took away that control on the issue, but why would they give WSU authority under this policy? Can't the WDFW do a study on the Cats? They do studies on all other wildlife?

Don't get me wrong I'm all for hound hunting and trap/baiting too but a College has no place in making Governmental policy.

NwOutdoorShop

I totaly agree with you ...But from what I see they have to have a independent do the study

trapper T

I was kind of thinking that too....but what is the sole prupose of the WDFW? I guess the Hippies probably think that they're not going to be balanced which they shouldn't as you know like we all do Hunting is a valuable tool to wildlife management,but then agian the Hippies really don't care about wildlife they're more interested in making sure no one can benefit from it...period.

NwOutdoorShop

I believe you hit it right on the mark there...I also believe anything we can get back is a plus...That whole I655 was a illegal ballot anyway IMO...2 different syles of hunting and 3 different animals. Also herd that baiting for bear might be brought back aswell....WDFW is totaly unhapy with the amount of sows being shot..so lets cross our fingers and hope we get some of these styles back and protect them. I know that some bear do come to dinner at camping grounds...but thats not caused from the hunters that baited....the people who baited bears where not baiting at a campground..thats from the people who dont know how to keep there food up...not the baiters

trapper T

I agree 100% anyway we can get back what is "Right" and not this PC feel good lying crap the Left has turned WA into is fine by me.

I'll support it all I can...I like the thought of them bringing back bait/bear because I really don't know a lot of guys who quit baiting?

NwOutdoorShop

For reinstatement all the way!!!!

Here is the link i found this post at http://www.washingtonvotes.org/SearchLegislation.aspx?Keywords=cougar+hunting it has all the comments and you can see how the house and senate voted and who voted for what!!!

PacNWhunter

Hi Nw and Trapper, WDFW is doing a study on cougars, at least here in my area. I know that a few cats were fitted with radio tracking collars this last winter. Don't know all the detail about the study but I will ask around.

NwOutdoorShop

Great thanks PacNwHunter

trapper T

I went to the web site, if you register you may vote in their polls for public input on this, I'd recommend doing so, I did.


Great web page Nw., nice to find one where I can keep up with the Nutjobs in Oly.