For the first time, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) Commission officials have approved rules for the capture of mountain lions ( cougars ).
Cheetahs have long been viewed as raccoons in Texas and are largely managed by unique landowners.
Last month, a law was passed to end” canned hunting” of rock cats. This is defined as releasing cats for hunting purposes.
There is also a shift in trapping criteria.
” Texas does not require the testing of rock cats.” Some mountain lions have been reported in a press release about the proposal, which many people believe are cruel and potentially harmful to the reputation of trapping and hunting.
The new rule mandates that fishers make sure that cats are never kept alive in nets or snares for longer than 36 hours.
According to TPWD, traps that have a breakaway system that allows a wire snare to dismantle when subjected to a pressure of 285 pounds have an exemption to the 36-hour requirement.
Mountain cats are known to take with 285 lbs or more of power. Likewise, coyotes usually can take on snares with only 192- 250 pounds of force”.
