Aug. 6: State corrects cougar hunting information
     OLYMPIA – The state has corrected an announcement about cougar hunting season.
     An Aug. 4 announcement incorrectly stated that hounds could be used during the general cougar hunting season in Chelan, Ferry, Klickitat, Okanogan, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties from Oct. 31 through Nov. 30.
     Hounds may not be used during that time, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said. (The original announcement was posted Aug. 5.)

     OLYMPIA - Cougar hunting season begins Sept. 1.
     Those interested in permit-only hunts after the general season have until Aug. 31 to submit applications to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     Under new rules adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, the general cougar season will begin with a statewide archery-only season Sept. 1-25, followed by a muzzleloader-only season Sept. 26 to Oct. 16.
     Beginning Oct. 17, hunters may use any legal weapon to target cougars in most areas of the state, the department said.
     In the past, the general cougar hunting season began Aug. 1 and hunters were allowed to use any legal weapon. The changes were adopted to match cougar hunting with the early elk and deer seasons, said Donny Martorello, carnivore specialist for the department.
     Exceptions include certain cougar management units in Chelan, Ferry, Klickitat, Okanogan, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, which will be closed during modern firearm deer season.
     Cougar hunting will run Oct. 31 through Nov. 30 in those areas.
     Martorello said the later start date in those areas, after the modern firearm deer season, is designed to evaluate the pilot hound program in those counties.
     "We want to offer all hunters a fair opportunity to hunt cougar in the state and maintain harvestable levels," Martorello said. "Removing cougar hunting from a portion of the deer season will help us further test the management benefits of the pilot hound season."
     Details on the 2009 cougar season are available on page 50 of the department’s Big Game Hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.
     Hunters who wish to participate in a permit-only cougar hunt have until Aug. 31 to purchase and submit their applications. Cougar hunters participating in the general season also may apply for the special hunt drawing.
     About 68 permits will be available for special cougar hunts in five areas where the use of dogs is allowed. Under new rules approved by the commission, dog ownership is no longer a requirement for those wishing to apply for a hound-assisted hunt.
     Also new this year is the addition of 290 permits allowing permit-only cougar hunts without the use of dogs in nine areas of the state.
     The drawing for permit-only hunts will be held in mid-September; winners will be notified in mid-October by e-mail or U.S. mail.
     More information is available at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ , by calling 866-246-9453 or from any license vendor in the state.
     Special permit applications, which require a correct hunt choice number specifying the area of choice, may be submitted online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling 877-945-3492. Hunt choices and season dates are on page 51 of the 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet, available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.


-Prepared by Omak Chronicle staff