Controversial Utah Law Sparks Lawsuit Over Year-Round Mountain Lion Hunting
A contentious law allowing year-round mountain lion hunting and snaring in Utah is facing legal challenges. The legislation, which was added to HB 469 during the last-minute of this year’s general session, severely limits the Division of Wildlife Resources’ authority to manage cougar hunts. The provision went into effect in May, and it has now prompted two organizations—the Mountain Lion Foundation based in California and the Western Wildlife Conservancy in Salt Lake City—to file a complaint in Utah’s 3rd District Court seeking to overturn the law.
The complaint argues that the new cougar policy prevents the Division of Wildlife Resources from managing the animals for the public good, culminating in a violation of the state’s constitution. The plaintiffs further contend that unrestricted hunting of mountain lions could lead to their extinction in Utah within just three years. They assert that the inclusion of snaring as a permissible method of hunting in HB 469 is particularly troubling, as it has the potential to cause immense suffering and harm not only to the targeted species but also to other non-targeted wildlife.
The Mountain Lion Foundation and the Western Wildlife Conservancy claim that they were caught completely off-guard by the amendment to HB 469, which took place on the 43rd day of the 45-day session. The provision is buried within a bill primarily intended to fund wildlife habitat preservation, leaving the organizations feeling blindsided by the significant changes it brings to mountain lion management and conservation.
Mountain lions, also known as pumas, cougars, catamounts, or panthers depending on the region, were once widely distributed across North and South America. However, loss of habitat has greatly reduced their numbers, leaving them confined to just 15 Western states and certain parts of Florida. Research indicates that hunters tend to target larger, trophy males, leading to increased territorial disputes among younger, more disruptive mountain lions. These conflicts can result in the animals encroaching on human-populated areas and preying on livestock.
The complaint names the Division of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Utah Wildlife Board as defendants. In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Division of Wildlife Resources clarified that mountain lions are still classified as protected wildlife in Utah, and a hunting license is required to pursue them. The spokesperson also stated that the effects of the new hunting regulations are being closely monitored by biologists, and if additional measures are deemed necessary, they would be proposed and subject to public comment.
The lawsuit hinges on the preservation, regulation, and conservation aspects of the public’s right to hunt and fish, as outlined in Article I, Section 30 of the Utah Constitution. While this provision has never been litigated before, the plaintiffs argue that its plain language unequivocally acknowledges the intrinsic connection between hunting and the need to preserve, regulate, and conserve wildlife populations.
The controversy surrounding the law is likely to continue as the lawsuit progresses through the court system. It remains to be seen how this legal challenge will impact mountain lion management and hunting regulations in Utah. Meanwhile, concerned conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and members of the public will be closely monitoring the outcome, hoping for a resolution that balances the preservation of mountain lion populations with the interests of hunting and wildlife management.
