Mountain Lion Proposals

[BAR BAR 2]

As many of you know, the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission set rules and regulations for the different game species in three year blocks. This year they are taking new rule change proposals for the hunting of mountain lion into consideration. Members of the Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen have been meeting with mountain lion hunters in order to get their thoughts and opinions on proposed changes that can be presented to the commission later this year.

The issues and complaints detailed by houndsmen were many, but we were able to whittle the list down to three of the bigger issues houndsmen felt were very important.This isn't to say that many other issues are not as important, but we had to make sure we brought issues forward that had strong support and data to back up our positions.

Below is a copy of our list of three proposals that will be presented to the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission.
----------------------------------------
THE WYOMING FEDERATION OF HOUNDSMAN
Gillette, Wyoming
wyohoundsmen@yahoo.com

To Whom It May Concern:

The Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen is a group of sportsmen who enjoy their time afield in hound hunting pursuits. Houndsmen in the state of Wyoming are joining together to be proactive in the defense of our hound hunting heritage. With ethical chase, harvest and management practices, we hope to preserve and enhance wildlife health and populations, as well as hunting opportunities for generations to come.

Through careful thought and much discussion, houndsmen are commenting here today in hopes of bringing forth a change in regulations that will help ensure higher quality hunts and a more enjoyable time afield for Wyoming residents. Our proposals are threefold and we believe they will benefit mountain lion populations, resident hunter satisfaction and Game & Fish revenues.

PROPOSALS

1. Stricter Female Harvest Regulations

Other states have implemented rules requiring hunters to identify the sex of a mountain lion before harvest. This can help maintain the overall health of the mountain lion population and hopefully play a positive role in limiting the harvest of lactating females. With education, common sense regulation and ethical hunting practices, a sustainable female mountain lion population can be achieved and will help preserve quality hunting opportunities.

2. Limited Non-Resident Sub Quota in the Northeast Mountain Lion Management Region

Over the last few years, an increase of nonresident hunters and their harvests in the hunt areas of the Northeast Mountain Lion Management Region has led to congestion and a less than satisfactory hunting experience for the mountain lion hunters of this state. Implementing a nonresident mountain lion sub-quota will help alleviate traffic as well as reduce pressure on game by limiting the numbers of multi vehicle hunting parties from out of state. Not only will this benefit the resident houndsmen of Wyoming in their pursuits, but it can also lead to a decrease in the amount of possible conflict with hunters of other game species.

3. Requirement of a Valid Mountain Lion Hunting license for all Persons Actively Involved in the Pursuit and/or Harvest of a Mountain Lion

By not requiring that all persons involved in a mountain lion hunt have a valid license, several issues arise that we feel should be addressed.

• Allows for numerous vehicles of hunters to assist in the harvest of an animal for a single tag holder.

• Allows unlicensed hunters to drive the roads in search of a track, and upon finding evidence of a lion's passing, they will then sit on the track and phone other members of their group who then go and buy a hunting license. Actions such as these prevent other hunters who hold a valid license from starting the track and pursuing the mountain lion.

• Multiple anglers fishing on one person's license is illegal and it is our opinion that allowing more than one houndsman/hunter to pursue game under the license of another should also be deemed illegal.

The Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen believe these three proposals, if acted upon, will increase the overall sustainability of mountain lion populations, resident hunting opportunities and revenue for better wildlife management.

Sincerely,
The Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen

[BAR BAR 2]

Feedback and opinions are welcome and we would like to make sure we have done our best to gather all of the information needed to make our case on these issues. There was quite a bit of discussion that went into each of these proposals as several of us gathered around the kitchen table and started hammering out each of the points.

Sitting down and trying to figure out the best way to make proposals for changes in rules and regulations is not an easy task. It sounds simple to just go before a bunch of men behind a table and state what you want, but they will ask for reasons and that is where things get tricky. Everything you say can and will be used against you by the antis if they think it will help them make their case when bringing forth their own proposals to get hound hunting shut down. They have already done it numerous times.

You also have to present ideas in a way that makes sense to people who probably don't hunt with hounds. What seems like common sense or simplicity to us may be completely foreign to someone else. They are the ones we have to convince though and that is why it is very important we take great care in how we present our ideas.

We will be happy to go through the different proposals if anyone is interested. There were several people involved in this process, so what you are seeing is the result of quite a few discussions and points of view.



Tex

[double j]

That must be nuts trying to hunt there! If I were you guys I think you could call the stop poaching hot line for someone sitting on tracks without a license. No matter how you look at it that's hunting!

[BAR BAR 2]

Things have been very busy around the state and houndsmen are doing a good job of showing up to the public meetings hosted by G&F. In the northeast section, the Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen turned in our proposals after we had worked hard to get everyone's attention and get all the houndsmen on board. There were several who showed up at the meeting in Sundance and quite a bit was discussed.

I had a meeting prior to the scheduled public meeting where I was able to visit with several representatives from G&F. Everyone from the local game warden to the area commissioner was there. The purpose of the meeting was so they could explain to me how an idea that came from their department, which was proposed in order to help with the overcrowding issue, was now being taken off the table because the commission doesn't have the authority to make such rules. Needless to say, this didn't stir much good will between the houndsmen of northeast Wyoming and the G&F. I listened to their reasoning and much was discussed, but I don't think many accomplishments were made.

The public meeting though, now that's a different story. One houndsman after another brought up the issues of overcrowding in HA 1 and out of state hunting parties operating on only one valid license. G&F kept saying how they did not have the authority to change the rules to implement a limited nonresident sub-quota, but they were very clear in their wish to keep this issue out of the legislature. HMMM. Along with what was stated in the proposals, it was brought up that hunters would like to see a requirement for everybody actively involved in a lion hunt to hold a valid license. The game wardens flat out said this would be hard to enforce, but then sorta got quiet when asked how they enforced the same rule in regards to fishing license.

At this point though, I am hearing some positive remarks in regard to the proposals. Apparently there has been enough people send in public comments on the G&F website, the commission now has no choice but to discuss the issues and seek solutions. I do know that if these issues are overlooked or tabled for a year, the Wyoming Federation of Houndsmen, with the help of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife will be looking into the legislative side of things to make sure these problems are addressed. It is our hope it doesn't come to that though. That process will take time and we have already got a list of issues we hope to start working on just as soon as the commission meetings are over with this year.

The next Wyoming Game & Fish meeting to discuss Mountain Lion Issues, is Tuesday evening at 6pm in Sheridan at the G&F offices. I would urge everyone to try and attend.


Tex

[BAR BAR 2]

All Wyoming houndsmen who wish to post comments in regards for the upcoming commission meetings in regards to Mountain Lion Regulations, can follow this link and do so.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xH0KzH ... ested=true

Consider the issues that are most important for the area you hunt and let the commission know your thoughts on how things could be better for the hunters and wildlife alike.



Tex

[BAR BAR 2]

*** EDIT ***

Tonight's G&F meeting in Sheridan is at 7pm. I wrote the wrong time above. It is at 7pm at the G&F office at 700 Valley View Drive, Sheridan, Wyoming.

Sorry about the mistake.



Tex

[cord]

I went to the provided link and it says big horn/ domestic sheep revision plan

[BAR BAR 2]

Sorry about that, Cord. I got it fixed.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xH0KzH ... ested=true


Tex

[Plotts]

The cell phone is the worst thing to ever happen to lions...

[Fireman03]

That paired with inexperienced hunters

[captd]

How about some old codger who likes to rid along to listen to the hounds, goin to make them buy a license too?

[BAR BAR 2]

[bearsnva]

Just a warning here. In Virginia that is just about exactly the wording for who needs a license. You are pretty certain to get a ticket if you are talking on the radio and giving directions to where the dogs are or tracking them. Just don't want to see someone get nailed on a technicality, better safe than sorry.

[Fireman03]

And with the price of a resident tag I don't think it should break the bank just to be on the safe side. Now on the non resident side it wold make them think twice whether it is something they really wanna spend the money to come and run all over the hills sitting on tracks for other people at all hours of the night causing congestion between hunters. And that is what we are trying to do is limit congestion and make for a higher quality hunt.

[BAR BAR 2]

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all Wyoming Houndsmen that the G&F commission is having their final meeting on mountain lion issues this week. They are meeting JULY 7-8 in Pinedale, Wyoming. According to their schedule, Justin Clapp, large carnivore biologist, is making his presentation on Friday. At that time, they will open up the floor for the public to make comments on the specific issues being discussed. We have worked hard to get a few issues addressed, although I am not positive we will get the results we want at this time. According to the attorneys, we will probably have to go the legislative route to get authority granted to the commission for them to act on these specific issues. Myself, as well as a few others will be there and I will be getting up to say a few words on behalf of the houndsmen in northeast Wyoming.

Regardless of the outcome at this meeting, we still feel it is important to get our time in front of the commissioners, because we are going to be pursuing a few legislative statutes during the next session with our goal being to have hound hunting recognized as a valuable wildlife management tool as well as a part of Wyoming history and heritage. By doing that, it will help grease the skids for all other hound issues that may come up and will give us a more solid standing when facing off with the anti's. I have also got it lined up to get some help from the Wisconsin Bear Hunters and will be setting up a meeting with one of their board members for all Wyoming Houndsmen who wish to attend. We have got to start making some noise and making sure the people in Cheyenne know who we are.

As is stands now though, the houndsmen did get a word of appreciation from one of the commissioners. Keith Culver, said that many within the G&F dept were appreciative of houndsmen as we were the only group who actually wanted to see mountain lions managed. Some groups wanted them gone, while other groups wanted them left completely alone, and there are the houndsmen who just wanted to see common sense management. For that, we were able to garner some attention and actually get them to listen to some of our concerns.

If any houndsmen could make it to Pinedale for the commission meeting, your presence would be greatly appreciated. There is power in numbers and we need to let the commissioners know we are out there.


Tex