https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/202405_mountain_lions.phtml

Texas Trappers on this forum, your comment is needed and welcomed on this upcoming proposal to change Mountain Lion Trapping Laws. I personally have concerns with the proposal’s, as majority of y’all Texans realize the bulk of the Lion trapping here in Texas is done in the Trans-Pecos region. It is very very remote and this could pose a major threat to those trapping these large & remote ranches. Not only will it hinder trappers but ranchers depending on predator control as well. Camera/ Cell service is often not available in this region either, so the camera rule proposal wont be efficient. A 285 lb breakaway for a lion snare also seems to small.

Texas residents and/or those who trap in Texas, please leave your comment and express your opinion on the link provided above.
Thank you

I forgot to add, these proposals will NOT apply to USDA Wildlife Services, therefore making it unfair to private trappers.

You know the more I read about different laws the more SSS and don’t ask don’t tell makes sense, lol!

Done

Done

Until your caught doing it......then you remain on the radar as a game violator. It is what it is.

Done

Done

I don't see anything wrong with the regulation. However I am not familiar with "canned" hunting. I have no idea what that is.

Do you currently trap in Texas? Things are much different here than Virginia.

Good day Sir.

Spike these proposed regulations would handicap the lion trappers in far west and south Texas. Those ranches are not a few hundred acres. They are thousands and thousands of acres.

Etex is summing it up!

Wow. I thought it was a valid question. I read it and am also not sure where the issue lies unless it's in the check time? Does that shorten the check time from what it currently is? Also confused on what's dangerous to trappers.

Not in any way saying I agree (or disagree) with the regulation change, just not sure what it's all about.

As with any regulation, there will be those that object. Being from Wisconsin, I have no dog in the fight; but I read the entire proposal. First issue: adding mountain lion to the list of 'canned' hunts ... I've personally always considered such hunts as marginally unethical. Second issue: 72 hour trap check for live trapping ... If shorter than other comparable land trap check times, I would see this as problematic from a logical, consistency standpoint and opening the flood gates for shortening all future land trapping check times. Third issue: 285 pound break away for snares ... The poundage does seem light to me. Here in Wisconsin, our CR regs allow a 350 pound break away for comparison. Perhaps a compilation of other state regulations that have/had lion trapping snare/CR regulations would provide some data to modify this break away proposal.

The issue is the trapping regulations. If a wild hog were to be caught in a fence snare with a 285 lb breakaway, chances are it will pop it. Most of the damage control guys do predator and hog control on these ranches. Again handicapping the trapper. Shortening check times will just be a stepping stone for the antis. Once they get the check time lowered for lions, coyote will be next and then they'll be working toward a total ban, their ultimate goal. These regulation changes have not been completely studied but hurriedly put together to appease the antis. The Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association does not support these changes in any way.

Our game commission kept trying to compromise with the anti trappers and it was the trappers who always lost. Less than a year after our commission made trapper education mandatory to appease the antis, they got the legislation to ban trapping.

Sounds like the state or those pushing these regs have no idea how many mt lion are in Texas.
We have 72 hr check regs and mt lions can certainly survive in a trap that long.

Canned hunts , not in favor of and commented on that but the other regs are not good proposals.

I'm betting Texas will take our NR comments and do what Wyoming Task force did, read them and toss them.

Thanks for explaining it!

Like Etex, I was not reffering to the canned hunting, but the restriction to Lion trapping there proposing. He is exactly right when he said once they restrict lion trapping, next will be coyotes. Thats going to be a major problem to us who feed our families from trapping.

Same thing as we just want to ban “assualt weapons”, nothing else though!!! Next thing you know your left with a slingshot. Give an inch they take a mile.

From what I understand the TT & FHA doesn't support those changes, but it seems like Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are leaning towards it to appease the activists.