HB469 also marshals millions to acquire land to preserve for habitat and hunting access

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A female mountain lion after being captured by scientists in the Oquirrh Mountains in 2011.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2023/03/17/cox-signs-wildlife-bill-that/

By Brian Maffly

| March 17, 2023, 5:41 p.m.

| Updated: March 18, 2023, 5:27 a.m.

Comment

Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday signed a wide-ranging wildlife bill that includes controversial provisions that open a year-round hunting season on cougars in Utah and allow the use of traps to kill the stealthy predator.

The cougar provisions were never part ofHB469, sponsored by Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise, but were added on the legislative session’s 43rd day with no discussion or explanation other than the claim that cougar populations are rising despite significant increases in cougar deaths in recent years.

The amended bill drew rebukes from both hunting and wildlife groups, who see it…