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South Dakota seeks comment on controversial mountain lion proposal
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission is once again at the center of a heated debate over mountain lion management, as the group considers a new proposal that would expand the use of dogs to hunt mountain lions in the Black Hills National Forest region. The proposal is open for public comment until the commission’s next meeting in August, when a final vote is expected.
The proposed rule change would increase the unit size within the Black Hills (Fire Protection District) where the use of scent-tracking dogs that tree lions is permitted, and allow for extended season dates. It would also remove the requirement for access permits to hunt mountain lions in Custer State Park – provided dogs are not used – with a 15-permit limit for dog-assisted hunts within the park. Those permits would be distributed in five 21-day intervals starting Dec. 26, assuming the annual harvest limit has not been met.
The total harvest limit is 60 mountain lions or 40 females, whichever is reached first.
The proposal comes less than a year after commissioners scrapped a controversial plan to reduce the mountain lion population target from an estimated 200 to 300 cougars to 150 to 250 animals. That move drew sharp criticism from some wildlife advocates, residents, and hunters who argued the change was too aggressive and would cater primarily to trophy hunters.
The new proposal is a more measured expansion of hound hunting opportunities – one that state wildlife officials say is backed by data. According to the department’s population models, the mountain lion population has remained within its objective since 2019, despite annual variation.
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Supporters of the new proposal say expanding hound hunting in areas with historically low harvest rates will help better manage lion populations. Data show that hunts using dogs are vastly more successful, averaging a 62% success rate in Custer State Park, compared with just 4% without dogs.
However, that disparity in success rates is also a reason some boot hunters are not too happy about the proposal.
In September 2023, the commission rejected a broader hound hunting proposal after receiving hundreds of public comments in opposition.
At that time, most commissioners called for patience and more research before expanding dog use, and expressed support for hound hunting in general.
Opponents argue that hound hunting can commercialize the sport and exclude hunters who prefer traditional spot-and-stalk methods. Others view the practice as elitist, favoring those who can afford guides and dog handlers.
Proponents say it is in part about animal welfare, noting a lactating female is a lot easier to identify once dogs have chased it up a tree.”
As for public opinion, surveys cited in South Dakota’s “Mountain Lion Action Plan” suggest that while most South Dakotans support the regulated hunting of mountain lions, a large share also values the animal’s existence – even if they never see one in the wild.
Mountain lions were nearly eradicated from South Dakota by the early 20th century due to bounties and unregulated hunting. After decades of absence, they began repopulating the Black Hills in the 1980s, eventually prompting the state to establish a regulated hunting season in 2005.
Whether this latest proposal strikes the right balance between public safety, wildlife conservation, and hunter opportunity remains to be seen. But with strong opinions on both sides and the commission inviting feedback, the public once again has the opportunity to weigh in on how to manage one of South Dakota’s most iconic – and contentious – predators.
Public comments on the proposal may be submitted through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission website.
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28 thoughts on “South Dakota seeks comment on controversial mountain lion proposal”
I’m not impressed with sd gfp management have lived in the area for 40 + years can’t let grandkids run around they 1 in particular on camera very close to a spearfish can’t be relocate I’m sure it is chiped so taking things into my own hands I’m sure would be jail time
So move. Glad to be rid of you.
The lions don’t stand a chance against dogs hunting them. Because that’s what the dogs do. They hunt the cats. And when the cat is tired and worn out they put a bullet in them. If you really want to be sporting don’t allow the use of dogs.
Cats are generally nocturnal. In oregon the use of dogs was banned. The population more than doubled. Unfortunately, the deer population tanked. Management should be done by biologist not at the polls
Move, wildlife was there first, they deserve a safe place to live and rause there cubs. I’m sick of people moving into wildlife territory and then start to complain about the wildlife. Privileged people who think they can do anything they please. Disgusting government who would allow something like this to take place. As for the lowlife scum who kill these beautiful cats, hope your death will come soon and be very painful. Shame on you
When are people going to realize the only reason we have a problem with these beautiful animals is because as more and more people choose to live in the rugged areas that is their home. When they are crowded out they have to seek out new areas to live and there aren’t many places for them to go. I cannot think of anything more cruel than watching a pack of dogs killing something. I am sorry, but we just need to learn to live with them because we caused the problem.
I am opposed to hunting Mountain Lions with dogs, it’s brutal and un sportsmanlike.
39 thats the number 39 kittens that boot hunters have harvested with the methods that are legally allowed in south dakota the smallest being 14lbs. That 4% success rate they talk about in this article comes with a cost. When a boot hunter sees a lion it dies this is proven with these 39 kittens that have been killed. Because they don’t have the time to properly assess the cat before they shoot and with a 4% success rate its likely thats the only chance they will have. You may not be for hounds and thats ok but think logically here there is already a season its not going away. Wouldn’t you want every opportunity for those kittens to thrive I know for a fact they would still be alive if hounds were aloud to be used.
That is so true
Dogs don’t kill lions, they chase them up trees where a hunter can evaluate the gender and if it is a female, whether it is lactating, indicating that it has young. This should avoid the death of a female with kittens. Quotas should assure that a sustainable population is maintained.
Any hunting for ego is absurd.
Commenting for ego is equally absurd. While there is always those who hunt to stroke their egos, the point of hunting them is to effectively manage the population numbers, whether done for ego or not.
That’s not hunting it’s execution, No different than bear hunting with dogs no skill involved create and kill it…. Not hunters cowards.
Yes allow but the dog owners should be allowed to only harvest for themselves and immediate family
Natural hunting, natural cycles, natural management. I’m opposed to anything that multiplies the devastation on eradicating the balance of nature, they serve a purpose, you idiots! A 1450% increase in eliminating a species over the previous percent shouldn’t even be debated!
The phrase balance of nature. No such thing. In nature the predators eat all but a few prey. Then they either move on or starve to death until the prey can repopulate. Unfortunately now that humans have showed up with their houses and animals we have altered that. It will can never be the same again. Remember no that long ago we were on their menu!
If it wasn’t for hunters, many species would have been eradicated. No hunter wants that
I believe the use of dogs most definitely increases the likelihood of identifying animals that would be better left alive (lactating females, kittens) than just boot hunting. Effectively managing populations to prevent over-population and disease is necessary. I’m not in favor of annihilation by any means, but effectively managing big cats is necessary.
Hunting with hounds is not hunting.
Have you ever hunted with hounds?
Hunting with dogs is just ass far as walking them down on foot
I agree with Pam jonress
Mountain lions have destroyed the elk and deer numbers! Look at the difference in the number of licences issued! Deer licenses were unlimited sold over the counter but lions took care of that for hunters! All lions need to be shot on sight same with wolves! Only democrat tree huggers disagree period!
Kim you sound like a psycho Serial killer…. Daniel’s aren’t the problem you are and you’re type. Why would you even hunt something you can’t eat. Just for the thrill of killing something.
Kim you sound like a psycho Serial killer…. Animals aren’t the problem you are and you’re type. Why would you even hunt something you can’t eat. Just for the thrill of killing something.
The point is to reduce mountain lion numbers, not eat them. They have to be managed or they wipe out deer, elk and small game populations. To all the people complaining about how it’s our fault the problem exists, the mountain lions alive now have never known anything else besides habitat near or around humans. They adapt, we adapt. Their numbers have to be managed or they become a danger to humans and each other. It’s a lot less humane to have their numbers die off from starvation or disease because they are overpopulated. Hunting them with dogs is the most effective way to control numbers. I am in favor of using dogs to hunt.
Corrected link to the survey: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/?fbclid=iwy2xjawlnqshlehrua2flbqixmabicmlketfvuvb4sut5nus3efzzzwhsar5e_pjbqu6j1ggcqb64ttikymeglailghae56lsugvud3fvy83uovsolff7rq_aem_gtndutqun2-4hvwhsy4ebw
I oppose the use of any canine to hunt Mountain Lions. The use of dogs not only makes hunters lazy, but also sloppy. It tips the successful hunting balance way too far toward the hunter. Further, it takes away from hunters that have refined their skill-set to include getting a Lion the old fashioned way. Up to now, bagging a lion was a true Badge of Honor. If dogs are used it would degrade that honor to the equivalence of successfully obtaining a license.