Predation Continued
OUTDOOR NEWS
Know your rights and what the process is if you flock or herd is attacked!!
Predation: We recently shared how we experienced the horrific loss to our Jacob Sheep herd from the cougar attack and loss of four of our six pet-friendly breeding ewes. The incident will have a long-lasting impact on the progression of our breeding program and the self-sufficiency of our little homestead. As inspection of the predation was coming to a close, our conversation with the local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Officer, commonly referred to as a Game Warden, took a more practical bent. They acknowledged the act of predation and shared the courtesy of education with us as pertains to our legal rights.
If the cougar returned to our property, the officer encouraged us to notify the WDFW immediately. The Game Warden, in conjunction with the State Biologist, will bring out contracted hunting dogs to pursue the predator and handle the situation in an environmentally sound manner. The other options offered to us by the Game Warden including taking the cougar ourselves. This we could do during both day and night hours on our property. If we took the cougar during daylight hours while regular cougar season was open, the predator would be considered legally acquired game if I have a license and tag. Said trophy would be ours to keep and reported per state requirements. If the predator was taken during night-time hours during the regular open season the requirement was to report said taking to the Game Warden. They would then take possession of the carcass for proper legal disposal.
As an act of predation had been documented on our property, we were also authorized by WDFW Regulations to take said predator during both daylight and night-time hours outside of the regular open season. The caveat includes notifying the WDFW immediately so the Game Warden could again take possession of the predator carcass for proper legal disposal. Our best hopes would be to never experience such an act of predation on our quaint little country farm again. But if the situation does arise again, we have been properly educated by the state on how to handle the situation in an appropriate and legal manner.
WDFW Cougar Season: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/big-game/cougar
WAC 220-440-030 Public Safety Cougar Removals: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-440-030
