Washington Administrative Code
Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of
WILDLIFE
Chapter 220-415 - Wildlife-Hunting-Big game
Section 220-415-100 - Cougar hunting seasons and regulations
Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) As used in this section and in the context of general cougar hunting seasons, "cap" is based on the best available estimate of cougar density and growth rate. Currently those parameters are estimated at 2.3 cougars per 100 square kilometers and 13 percent intrinsic growth rate. The cap includes all known human-related independent-aged cougar mortality (including harvested cougars, cougars killed in response to conflicts, and any other form of human-caused cougar mortality).
(2) General cougar season is September 1st to March 31st. Hunters can use any legal weapon to hunt cougars.
(3) In PMUs that reach the 13 percent cap prior to the recreational hunting season starting, the cap will be increased to 20 percent of the population to provide hunting opportunity in those PMUs. When all known human-related independent-aged cougar mortalities in those PMUs meet or exceed 20 percent of the population, the season shall close in those PMUs. Additionally, if opened, the season shall close within 72 hours of that number being reached.
Cap:
Population Management Unit (PMU) |
Hunt Area |
13 percent Cap |
20 percent |
1 |
GMU 101 |
8 |
13 |
2 |
GMU 105 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
GMUs 108, 111 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
GMU 113 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
GMU 117 |
7 |
11 |
6 |
GMU 121 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
GMUs 124, 127, 130 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381 |
None |
None |
9 |
GMUs 149, 154, 162, 163 |
4 |
5 |
10 |
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186 |
3 |
5 |
12 |
GMU 203 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
GMU 204 |
7 |
11 |
14 |
GMUs 209, 215 |
4 |
6 |
15 |
GMUs 218, 231 |
5 |
8 |
16 |
GMU 224 |
2 |
4 |
17 |
GMUs 233, 239 |
4 |
6 |
18 |
GMUs 242, 243 |
5 |
8 |
19 |
GMUs 244, 246, 247 |
6 |
9 |
20 |
GMUs 245, 250 |
6 |
9 |
21 |
GMUs 249, 251 |
6 |
9 |
22 |
GMUs 328, 329, 335 |
7 |
10 |
23 |
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346 |
6 |
9 |
24 |
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368 |
6 |
9 |
25 |
GMUs 382, 388 |
3 |
5 |
26 |
GMU 407 |
None |
None |
27 |
GMUs 418, 426, 437 |
13 |
20 |
28 |
GMUs 448, 450 |
11 |
17 |
29 |
GMU 454 |
None |
None |
30 |
GMU 460 |
6 |
9 |
31 |
GMUs 466, 485, 490 |
3 |
4 |
32 |
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530 |
9 |
13 |
33 |
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550 |
7 |
11 |
34 |
GMUs 510, 513 |
3 |
5 |
35 |
GMU 516 |
4 |
6 |
36 |
GMUs 524, 554, 556 |
3 |
4 |
37 |
GMU 560 |
5 |
8 |
38 |
GMU 564 |
1 |
2 |
39 |
GMU 568 |
2 |
4 |
40 |
GMU 572 |
3 |
5 |
41 |
GMUs 574, 578 |
4 |
6 |
42 |
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612 |
6 |
9 |
43 |
GMUs 607, 615 |
4 |
6 |
44 |
GMUs 618, 636, 638 |
5 |
7 |
45 |
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633 |
None |
None |
46 |
GMUs 642, 648, 651 |
7 |
11 |
47 |
GMUs 652, 666 |
None |
None |
48 |
GMUs 653, 654 |
5 |
8 |
49 |
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699 |
11 |
16 |
50 |
GMU 667 |
4 |
6 |
(4) Cap system:
(5) Cougar hunting season requirements and special restrictions.