Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...

valuable for generating agency support, furthering education, and ultimately improving
cougar management.
Two agencies had mandatory hunter education programs (CO and WA) and 2 had
voluntary programs (UT and WY) that assisted hunters in identifying cougars of different
sex and age classes. Where hunting with hounds is permitted, sexing and aging cougars
in a tree takes experience, and it becomes increasingly difficult in other hunting
situations. The importance of being able to sex cougars before they are shot may be an
important harvest strategy and can reduce kitten mortality. Regardless of the structure of
hunting seasons, agencies may want to consider improving their efforts to educate
hunters on identifying sex and age of cougars and how hunters can help agencies meet
management objectives.
Conclusion
Comparative surveys such as this one are useful for agencies to (1) evaluate cougar
management across jurisdictions, and (2) work to advance management protocols
throughout the species’ range. However, this survey was by no means exhaustive. It
would be useful if follow-up surveys were done periodically to keep information current
and readily available. In addition, we encourage others to investigate further into these
and other topics to provide a better understanding of specific issues that affect cougar
management. Finally, we suggest that agencies use surveys to review management
protocols of other jurisdictions in an effort to encourage a more collaborative approach to
cougar management across jurisdictional boundaries.
Acknowledgements
We thank the following agencies and individuals that participated in this survey. They
are: Jim Allen, Alberta Fish and Wildlife; Ron Thompson, Arizona Game and Fish
Department; Douglas Updike, California Department of Fish and Game; Jerry Apker,
Colorado Division of Wildlife; Rich DeSimone, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks;
Darrell Land, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Steve Nadeau, Idaho
Department of Fish and Game; Kevin Lansford, Nevada Department of Wildlife; Rick
Winslow, New Mexico Department of Fish and Wildlife; Donald Whittaker, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife; John Kanta, South Dakota Game; John Young, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department; Kevin Bunnell, Utah Division of Wildlife; Fish and
Parks; Dan Thompson, Wyoming Game and Fish; Carlos A. Lopez Gonzalez,
Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro; Aaron Bueno Cabrera, New Mexico State
University; Rodrigo Nuñez Perez, Proyecto Jaguar; Melito F. Guerra, Instituto de
Ecología; and Claudia Cristina Cinta Magallón. We also thank Brian Kertson and Gary
Koehler who provided comments on an earlier draft.
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