Texas Aims To Protect Mountain Lions With Hunting Law Change

A Texas law that went into effect earlier this month (September 1st, 2024) is intended to prevent cruelty towards Texas's last remaining native carnivore- the rarely seen mountain lion.

Texas has banned so-called "canned" mountain lion hunts, "in which mountain lions are trapped, then released later in an enclosed area where to be hunted."

Texas has also set forth new rules with trapping- which require trappers to check their traps every 36 hours if they are trapping mountain lions.

Both laws are a Class C misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine.

Read More: Invasive And Dangerous: Deadly Feral Hog Attacks In Texas

The new laws do not prevent ranchers from killing lions that are hunting their livestock, although there has been some pushback from landowners over the new regulations.

The Texas Farm Bureau took issue with the mandatory trap checks, and the issue of farmers potentially facing criminal penalties for "managing" the lions.

The TFB proposed that instead of trap checks, other "best management practices" be implemented, like using snares which can still trap other predators, like coyotes. However, the trap checks stood.

Some farmers feel the trap checks are overly burdensome, especially if the traps are spread across many acres of land. Simply allowing the lions to hunt livestock could represent a loss of thousands of dollars for even one lion's diet.

Read More: Out Of Control: Feral Hogs Cause Massive Damage To Texas Park

Perhaps the best solution is already practiced by other states like Montana or Washington, both of which reimburse ranchers for the loss of livestock to large native predators- but that of course begs the question of where the money for that should come from.

In addition to being rare, if dangerous, beauties, mountain lions are vitally important to the ecosystem the inhabit. Hopefully, more common sense practices can be implemented to both protect the lions and the livelihoods of Texas ranchers.