host posted on November 13, 2004 22:00
State Game Commission Sights In Cougar-Hunting Plan
POSTED: 11:01 am MST November 13, 2004
SANTA FE, N.M. -- State Game Commission Chairman Guy Riordan has suggested opening New Mexico wildlife areas to mountain lion hunters.
The commission is to consider the proposal next Thursday in Santa Fe.
Hunting cougars in wildlife areas has been forbidden for years because of fears it would disturb deer and elk.
Riordan said he hopes such hunting will increase the deer herds and instill fear in mountain lions so they don't begin to prey on humans.
The plan would allow cougar hunting to varying degrees on the Sargent, Humphries, Rio Chama, Elliott Barker, Urraca, Colin Neblett, Marquez, Water Canyon and Big Hatchet wildlife areas.
Riordan said statewide quotas on the number of mountain lions that can be killed would remain in place.
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