The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has proposed a new regulation that would help protect mountain lions, and is welcoming public input.

TAC §65.950 is a proposal to ban "canned" hunting and establish trapping standards for mountain lions.

Canned hunting is a practice in which animals are confined to fenced-in areas where hunters can hunt them down for trophies. It's regulated or prohibited in many states and countries. In Texas, it is unlawful to conduct canned hunts only for "exotic" species such as African or Asiatic lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, hyena, bear, elephant, wolf, or rhinoceros. Mountain lions are not protected on that list.

TPWD received a petition in 2022 to add mountain lions, and created a Mountain Lion Stakeholder Working Group, consisting of landowners, livestock producers, private land managers, trappers, and natural resource professionals. Following a number of meetings throughout 2023, the Working Group recommended that the commission initiate a ban on canned hunting, as well as require hunters to check traps and snares targeting wild mountain lions at least every 36 hours.

There are currently no requirements to check traps, and animals can be left to suffer for days before succumbing to exposure or ultimately being gunned down by hunters.

The proposal would prohibit the hunting of mountain lions in captivity as well as the release of captive mountain lions for purposes of being hunted or training dogs.

It would also be an offense to conduct, promote, assist, or advertise this kind of activity.

The new proposal would not apply to the dispatch of lawfully trapped mountain lions or the use of snares designed to cease functionality if 285 pounds of force are applied to its mechanism. The department does not wish to interfere with lawful trapping activities conducted for other species and specifically wishes to allow the use of special snares that a large animal such as a mountain lion or bear can escape.

Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted as follows:

• mail Richard Heilbrun, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin 78744
• phone 512-389-8104
• email richard.heilbrun@tpwd.texas.gov
• via the department website at www.tpwd.texas.gov.

The proposal also noted that there would be limited financial impact if this proposal were approved. Some small businesses still trap mountain lions for profit; according to TPWD, the precise number is unknown but is believed to be in the hundreds. Those people would have to check traps/snares more frequently, and what with the price of gas, it could cost them up to $500 a year. How about a boo-hoo.