AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking for public feedback on proposals to crack down on hunting or trapping mountain lions.
Mountain lions are relatively uncommon, secretive animals that can be found from Canada to South America. In Texas, they live throughout the Trans-Pecos, the brushlands of South Texas and the western Hill Country.
Currently, Texas law does not ban canned hunting, meaning the capture and later release of a mountain lion for the purpose of hunting it. TPWD has proposed banning the act in Texas.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act, passed by Congress in December 2022, prohibits most instances of possession of mountain lions, but does not address lions that are trapped.
Texas does not currently require traps set for mountain lions to be checked. Concerns have been raised that some mountain lions are left to perish in traps, which many consider to be inhumane and potentially damaging to the reputation of trapping and hunting.
TPWD has proposed a regulation requiring trappers to ensure that lions are not kept alive in traps or snares for more than 36 hours.
Traps that cannot restrain a lion or are immediately lethal would not be subject to the regulation.
The proposal also provides a blanket exemption to the 36-hour requirement for traps that have a breakaway device allowing a cable snare to disassemble when subjected to a force of 285 pounds or less. Mountain lions are typically able to pull with 285 pounds of force or more.
TPWD is seeking public comment until May 22 on proposals to prohibit canned hunting and implement trapping standards for mountain lions. You can comment online here or send an email to Richard.heilbrun@tpwd.texas.gov or call 512-389-8104.