ST. GEORGE —Year-round cougar hunting and trapping in Utah takes effect in May amid conservationists’ concerns about decreased populations, increased human-puma conflicts and harmed ecosystems.

A new law, designated asHB 469in the 2023 Utah legislative session, includes various amendments concerning land sales, trail cameras and other wildlife-related issues. The original bill made no changes regarding cougar management, but within the last few days of the session,Sen. Scott D. Sandallintroduced language that removes permit requirements for taking mountain lions.

“We’re getting an increase in our cougar numbers across the state,” Sandall said. “We have a program in place; this replaces the program for harvesting cougars and allows cougars to be taken year-round with a hunting license.”

Previously, cougar season for…