huntn,
Yes we do, and until our GFP gets the seasons moved to start earlier than the end of December I see no change unless mother nature steps in.
But at least they are leaving the quota up.
You WY guys do a great job when they decide to travel west.
CoachBG,
You can probably thank the Black Hills for some of your increased population. This population is actually a source population with many of the juveniles migrating out to inhabit new country and establish new territories.
Our cats have been documented in eastern SD, ND, NE, MN, IA, KS, OK, MI, CT, and even Sask.
I believe I read a synopsis where WY lions traveled 600 miles like it was nothing. They even got a cat here in the Black Hills that had DNA from western WY, south of Jackson Hole if I remember correctly.
The state game departments are actually compiling a nationwide DNA database for Mt Lions. In part to see if they are related.
I actually have a theory that our population explosion was caused in part the banning of lion hunting in the left coast states of CA, OR, & WA. Their lack management caused a population explosion that slowly moved east. And when some of these migrating cats hit the Black Hills with perfect timing of all time record deer & elk numbers, the population did extremely well.
The CA Game and Fish kills more MT lions yearly, than the hunting season ever did.