Call Washington Governor Christine Gregoire,
Urge Her to Sign ESHB 2438 on Cougar Hunting

The Washington Legislature has passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2438 that extends a pilot project allowing the use of hounds for hunting mountain lions in critical areas of north central and northeast Washington for three years under agreements between the counties and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. That important bill is now on Governor Christine Gregoire’s desk.

The bill as passed would also allow other counties to participate in similar agreements with the W DFW, provided they meet certain conditions set forth in the legislation.

Animal rights extremists, led by the Humane Society of Washington and the California-based Mountain Lion Foundation, are pressuring the governor to veto part or all of the bill. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms urges its members and supporters in the Evergreen State to contact the governor’s office and ask if she will sign the bill as passed.

Anti-hunting zealots pushed through a ban on cougar hunting with hounds 12 years ago, and the cougar population has grown, along with cougar complaints. The odds are increasing for the kinds of tragedies that have occurred in California, where mountain lions have killed at least two people in recent years, and attacked several others.

This legislation was passed by overwhelming majorities in both the House (66-29) and Senate (31-18).

Call the Governor's Office at: (3 60) 902-4111 – or – send her a message via e-mail at: Governor's Website