Campfire Conversations 53: Texas Parks and Wildlife Explains on Proposed Mountain Lion Regulation Changes

What this episode covers

Texas Parks and Wildlife has proposed two major changes in mountain lion management. The question is, why? Mountain lions are treated as a non game species in Texas with no closed season or bag limit. But don’t let that fact lead you to believe that Texas hunters are out killing mountain lions indiscriminately, we aren’t. In fact, Texas is no different than any other state when it comes to the reality that most hunters won’t ever see these amazing and extremely reclusive animals in the wild. We likely never have and never will. TPWD Wildlife Diversity Program Leader Richard Heilbrun joins me on this episode of Campfire Conversations to discuss why TPWD has proposed the changes? Is there scientific data to support it? OR, is it something else… like maybe pressure from a known group of anti predator hunters? We discuss the Mountain Lion Stakeholder Group (including who is on it) and what went on behind the scenes over the past year and half after Texans For Mountain Lions petitioned TPWD to enforce strict season dates, bag limits, limit trapping methods among other things without any scientific data to support their demands. I ask Richard the tough questions and the what these changes mean as far as potential further restrictions in the future. Leave Your Feedback for TPWD here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/202405_mountain_lions.phtml

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