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Mountain lions still roam parts of Texas as one of the state’s last remaining native carnivores. On Sept. 1, Texas for the first time will ban canned mountain lion hunts, which conservationists hope will prevent mistreatment of the rarely-sighted predators.
The new rules, which take effect with the start of the new hunting license cycle, also require trappers to check their traps every 36 hours if they target mountain lions.
Richard Heilbrun, the wildlife diversity program director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the proposal was the result of a collaboration by landowners, ranchers, livestock owners, conservationists and biologists. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved it in May.
Violating the new rules is a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of up to $500 but no jail time.
Texans for Mountain Lions, a conservation group founded in 2021, said their 2022 petition, which collected 2,356 signatures and called for studying and protecting the animals, kick started conversations about the new rules.