For the first time in state history, Texas policymakers have enacted rules and regulations regarding the hunting and trapping of mountain lions.
This week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved new regulations that prohibit the “canned” hunting of mountain lions and establish a 36-hour time frame for checking traps to ensure the humane treatment of live mountain lions.
Previously, of the 16 states home to breeding mountain lions, Texas was the only state that did not regulate the hunting and trapping of the species. The new rules make it illegal to capture and later release a mountain lion to be pursued and killed or to keep a mountain lion alive in traps or snares for more than 36 hours. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500 but no jail time.
The new regulation updates the state’s mountain lion policies to be consistent with current Texas furbearer regulations and standard trapping ethics. Previously, mountain lions could be trapped and hunted year-round in Texas without any harvest limits, hunting seasons or any requirement to report a lion kill.
Texans for Mountain Lions coalition member and wildlife filmmaker Ben Masters applauded the decision, stating that “mountain lions are important to the culture of Texas and belong in the future of our state.” Texans for Mountain Lions is a coalition of landowners, biologists, conservationists and organizations that aims to improve the status and conservation of the mountain lion in Texas.
“If there’s one thing that Texans can agree on, it’s that the symbol of wildness in our state, the mountain lion, shouldn’t be left in traps days or weeks on end until they die from dehydration and exposure,” Masters said. “It was inspiring to see ranchers, trappers, hunters, hippies, outfitters, biologists and wildlife advocates from across the state all converge to support more respectful management of our cats.”
A 2022 Texas A&M University survey showed that 75% of the more than 700 citizens surveyed support trap check periods of 36 hours or less for mountain lions. Livestock owners and hunters were as supportive of this measure as nonhunters and people who did not own livestock, Texans for Mountain Lions stated in a press release.
This year, a Texans for Mountain Lions advisory group issued a report outlining their three priorities: that Texas collect more data on mountain lion distribution, numbers and mortality; that Texas create an official mountain lion management plan; and that canned hunting of mountain lions should be prohibited. The 11 Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners subsequently requested a public comment period on these actions and voted to approve them on Thursday.
“It is heartening to see the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department genuinely 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 in supporting the health of our ecosystems,” said Patricia Harveson, a Texans for Mountain Lions coalition member and wildlife researcher who spent much of her career studying mountain lions.
