In the 1990s, California banned mountain lion hunting through a narrowly passed ballot initiative. Since then, there has been growing concern among some residents about increasing conflicts between mountain lions and both livestock and humans. A notable incident that intensified the debate occurred in El Dorado County, where a young hunter named Taylen Brooks was killed by a mountain lion. This tragic event has led residents to call for legislative action.
A proposed bill, Senate Bill 818, aims to address these concerns by allowing permitted houndsmen to pursue “problem lions” using dogs in El Dorado County. The bill stems from a perceived rise in mountain lion conflicts following a change in state policy that reduced the number of lions killed by state trappers and contractors. This change reportedly led to an increase in depredation events.
The bill proposes a 5-year pilot program where qualified houndsmen could haze mountain lions to instill a fear of humans, which proponents argue is essential for maintaining the wild nature of these animals. The program would focus on mountain lions deemed a potential threat to public safety or domestic animals. Current laws only permit government officials and contractors to take such actions after a depredation permit is issued.
After the pilot period, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would evaluate the program’s effectiveness and report to the legislature. Expanding the program statewide would require significant legislative approval. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to address the growing problem of mountain lions becoming unafraid of humans, which poses a threat to public safety.
