California Residents Push for Mountain Lion Hunting Amid Rising Attacks

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — Residents in El Dorado County are urging state lawmakers to allow private houndsmen to pursue mountain lions with dogs, as reports of attacks on livestock and people have surged in recent years.

Following the tragic death of 21-year-old Taylen Brooks, who was killed by a mountain lion while shed hunting last March, local advocates contend the state’s 1990 ban on mountain lion hunting has resulted in increased predator-human encounters. Brooks’s brother, Wyatt, sustained severe injuries during the incident as the lion attacked them on a dirt road in the daytime.

“The killing of Taylen Brooks really elevated this,” said Scott Whitwam, founder of the pro-hunting advocacy group HOWL. “We are asking, ‘How come we can’t hunt these? I thought we used hunting as a tool.’ But it has been banned since the ’90s.”

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has recorded significant increases in mountain lion sightings and conflicts since the hunting ban. According to Whitwam, the number of mountain lions killed by state trappers and contractors has plummeted since the ban, while conflicts with livestock have ballooned.

Whitwam’s organization, HOWL, has nearly 19,000 members tracking mountain lion sightings in the region. “In El Dorado County, they have been really good at tracking data focused on mountain lion sightings,” he noted. “The community is frustrated.”

In response, local citizens are advocating for Senate Bill 818, which would establish a five-year pilot program allowing qualified houndsmen to haze mountain lions in situations deemed a public safety threat. “The intention is to ensure these mountain lions develop a fear of humans again,” Whitwam explained. “In recent months, residents have seen them roaming in broad daylight, which is not typical behavior.”

The proposed legislation would allow permitted houndsmen to proactively haze mountain lions posing potential threats to public safety, livestock, or domestic animals. Currently, only government officials and contractors can take action against lions once a depredation permit is issued.

The bill’s passage requires a four-fifths majority in the state legislature, a significant hurdle, but advocates believe it’s essential. “This is something that needs to happen for the safety of our community,” Whitwam remarked.

As legislative sessions continue, the El Dorado County conflict remains a pressing issue, underscoring the evolving dynamics between growing mountain lion populations and rural residents seeking safety and peace of mind.