Game and Fish rejects unlimited lion hunting idea

Lander, Wyo. (AP) – The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has considered and rejected a proposal to allow unlimited hunting of mountain lions in part of the Black Hills.

The western Black Hills have a dense cougar population compared to elsewhere in Wyoming.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/NkiYva ) that the Game and Fish Department proposed a new lion hunt area by splitting an existing area in two. One new area would have had an unlimited lion quota.

The commission decided Tuesday to establish the new hunt area but to set a limit of 25 lions in that area.

Commission members say they didn't want to give the impression they didn't care if cougars were extirpated in that area. They also suggested it would be difficult to impose a limit later after not having one.