After two successful mountain lion hunting seasons in North Dakota the State Game and Fish Department is proposing major changes. Only five cats a year were allowed to be harvested in 2005 and 2006 now officials want to expand that. Game and Fish Outreach Biologist Greg Gullickson says only five cats would be allowed to be taken from the Badlands area but an unlimited number would be allowed throughout the state. Gullickson says there would be a one cat limit per person, though. He says the Game and Fish wants to make the change because there's only so much habitat for mountain lions in the state and many are roaming beyond that... (Greg Gullickson, ND Game & Fish Dept.) We've identified some key mountain lion habitat and the Badlands area of North Dakota is suitable. They did colonize the Badlands at the turn of the century. So they are colonizing that. The other mountain lions out on the prairie are just wandering through trying to find a place to call their own and really the prairie isn't suitable habitat for mountain lions. Really there's no need for mountain lions to be in some of these outlying areas. VO CONTINUES Gullickson says most of the previous rules would still apply. No dogs could be used to hunt a mountain lion until after December 1st. Any female mountain lion with kittens or any kittens would be off-limits. The proposed season would run from August 31st of this year through March 9th of next year and hunters would be required to have a fur-bearers license.
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Added: Dec 16, 2007 |
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