IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Thompson, D.J.; Moody, D.S.; Bjornlie, D.D. | |
| Wyoming Mountain Lion Status report | |
| 2008 Full Book | |
Similar to management of mountain lions and other large carnivores across North America, the management of mountain lions in Wyoming has evolved considerably since European exploration and settlement. Initial steps towards "management" dealt with placing bounties on mountain lions and other predators in 1882, with unlimited bag limits and year-round seasons. In 1973, the mountain lion was classified as a trophy game animal in Wyoming, which allowed for state management as well as holding the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) fiscally liable for confirmed livestock losses attributed to mountain lions. The following year, the first hunting season for mountain lions was instituted, with the entire state as one hunt area and an individual bag limit of one lion per year. Kittens and females with kittens present were protected, and hunters were required to present skulls and pelts to the nearest WGFD District Office or local game warden. Since the initial harvest season of mountain lions in Wyoming the management plan has evolved to include all pertinent information related to cougar population demographics as well as social attitudes and public input towards management of mountain lions within the state. In 2007, a new mountain lion management plan (WGFD 2006) was implemented, which incorporated suggestions put forth in the cougar management guidelines (Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group [CMGWG] 2005). Most notably, the new plan called for managing mountain lions in an adaptive management scheme based on regional input and biological aspects associated with habitat of hunt areas and mountain lion management units (MLMUs). Hunt areas were classified as source, sink, or stable based on lion mortality sex/age criteria. Issues related to human/lion conflicts, livestock depredation, and habit quality related to prey availability were also included in developing management objectives for hunt areas. The adaptive management plan for mountain lions in Wyoming is aimed at sustaining mountain lion populations throughout suitable habitat at varying densities depending on management objectives, to provide for recreational/hunting opportunity, and to minimize mountain lion depredation and the potential for human injury throughout the state. |
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