The Utah Wildlife Board boosted cougar hunting quotas Thursday for the fourth year in a row, voting to hike permits for the upcoming season to 678, representing nearly a quarter of the state’s lion population.
Critics say that level of hunting pressure is not sustainable, but Division of Wildlife Resources biologists said they have recorded steady increases in cougar numbers in the past few years despite higher harvests. Population growth tracked with gains in Utah’s mule deer herds, said Darren DeBloois, DWR’s game mammals coordinator.
The board unanimously agreed with DeBloois’ increased harvest recommendations, although it tinkered with some of the numbers in specific hunting units where board members felt more or less cougar takes are in order.