“An effort has been underway in Utah for years to reduce the number of cougars in the state, and it appears those efforts have worked,” said Kevin Bunnell, mammals program coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “Now we’re shifting the emphasis from trying to reduce the number of cougars to maintaining a balance between cougars and the deer, bighorn sheep and other animals cougars prey on.”
In addition to the permit reduction, Board members also approved changes that should improve hunting on Utah’s harvest objective cougar hunting units. The Board approved the changes August 11 after hearing recommendations from DWR biologists, citizens representing Utah’s five public Regional Advisory Councils and members of the public who attended the Board’s meeting in Salt Lake City.
Applications for limited-entry cougar hunting permits will be available by September 27. Applications must be submitted no later than October 12 to be included in this year’s Cougar Draw. Results of the draw will be available by November 16.
Harvest objective cougar permits go on sale November 7.
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