Mountain Lion Foundation

Cougar Comment Cougar Comment is the editorial voice of the Mountain Lion Foundation. Title: Are deer being used as a Beard* to kill more cougars? Date: 7/27/2009 Source: MLF Staff Author: Tim Dunbar It doesn't seem to matter what state it is; hunters go into one game commission hearing after another spouting the same nonsense over and over again. It's like a mantra-kill more lions so we will have more deer to kill ourselves. They don't listen to the experts from their own state wildlife agencies who claim that mountain lions are unlikely culprits when it comes to determining why deer populations are down. They refuse to believe that loss of winter range to development of homes and subdivisions, more roads and a growing human population has a greater impact on wildlife than cougars. All they see are reduced mule deer populations, and of course reduced opportunities to kill a deer themselves; and they blame it all on the lions. Take Nevada for example; where ... For the full blog... Title: Can Washington Change? Date: 7/17/2009 Source: MLF Staff Author: Timothy Dunbar Washington's Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) is looking for a new director and they are conducting an on-line public survey to assist in the hiring process. One of the value factors they are asking respondents is whether the new director should have a conservation based orientation or be someone who might promote additional hunting opportunities. The survey also asks respondents to rate WDFW's priorities (i. e. increased hunting opportunities, conservation, riparian restoration, etc.). Since most Washington residents won't visit the WDFW website unless they are interested in hunting issues, and a quick search of the web only found notice of the survey on hunting-oriented websites, there doesn't seem much chance that this will be a fair and impartial survey of Washington's cit ... For the full blog... Title: A Unique Lion Date: 7/14/2009 Source: MLF Staff Author: Timothy Dunbar A very unique mountain lion died in Arizona recently. This fact by itself isn't unique; on average at least 321 lions are killed by humans each year in that state. What is unique is the fact that despite catching this lion in the act of killing a house cat - somebody's pet - the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) decided to release the offending cougar back into the wild rather than euthanize it as would have been standard procedure. This singular act of restraint came back to benefit AGFD and the scientific community a hundred fold. Prior to the lion's release in 2006, she was fitted with a collar. The GPS tracking unit allowed biologists to follow the lion's movement and provided them with information which helped shape AGFD's policies towards lions residing near t ... For the full blog... Title: Mountain lions made out to be the 'Boogeyman' - Again Date: 7/9/2009 Source: MLF Staff Author: Timothy Dunbar I made a presentation yesterday to the San Benito County Fish and Game Advisory Board and a packed audience of angry ranchers, trappers, and county officials. The special meeting - held in response to MLF's chastising letter to the San Benito Board of Supervisors (available for viewing at mountainlion.org) - allowed county residents a chance to voice their opinions about the supposed threat they face from mountain lions. Despite what I or representatives from the California Department of Fish and Game said to the contrary, most of the local speakers continued throughout the meeting to blame mountain lions for their problems. Citing bumps in the night, lack of deer to hunt, and less calves birthed than expected, several stated categorically that this had to be a result of too many ... For the full blog... << Previous Page

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