Representative Holmes Advocates Killing of Mountain Lions in Kansas

Representative Holmes addressed the KDWP Commission at their meeting in Topeka on March 11, 2010 to request that the Department pursue the feasibility of allowing hunting as provided by his bill. Various reasons, such as "this is a way to learn more about them", were given. KDWP staff have not endorsed the proposal.

Audubon of Kansas staunchly opposes this bill, and any attempt to exterminate this native species. AOK's Executive Director, Ron Klataske, advised the Commission to reject the unfounded, misguided attempt to encourage killing of Mountain Lions unless specific animals are responsible for livestock damage or present some type of threat. The mere existence of a few of these remarkable animals, in a state with 52 million acres, is not a reason for preemptive eradication.

The Black Hills of South Dakota supports a population of approximately 200 Mountain Lions. Millions of people, residents and visitors, enjoy the outdoors in that area each year without incident. Likewise, thousands of people reside in rural parts of the Black Hills and livestock conflicts are infrequent - and readily resolved. Cougar numbers there are sufficient to support regulated hunting, but the harvest is carefully controlled to maintain the population.

Lethal measures should not be employed by the agency when Mountain Lions are encountered, unless it is necessary. Ideally, any captured cougars should be radio-collared and then released to be monitored and studied.

If KDWP proposes an open season on Mountain Lions, as Representative Holmes has requested, Audubon of Kansas will alternatively propose and petition to have this rare species considered as a candidate for a higher level of protected status. Although it is certainly an "at-risk" species, it is conceivable that it could qualify as a threatened species in this state.

Following the discussion about Mountail Lions, the Commission received a briefing on the 2009 Deer Hunting Season, and population status. Because of high numbers, various entities continue to push KDWP to increase harvest, especially of antlerless deer. Deer related vehicle accidents peaked at about 10,000 per year in the late 1990s, and are now approximately 9,000 annually.

When present, Mountain Lions play a natural and beneficial role in helping to control deer and other prey populations. Kansas has an abundance of natural prey, including raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, rabbits and similar-sized mammals.

Representative Holmes represents an area of the state that includes Pratt, operations headquarters for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge - one of the state's premier wildlife viewing areas. Residents throughout the state should urge him to take pride in our wildlife heritage, and forgo attempts to diminish it. His e-mail address is mitch.holmes@house.ks.gov.