Can a guy shoot couger in MN?

[ac777]

Are they considered a furbearer since there is no season on them? I know the DNR denies that they are here? If I ever saw one, I would like to shoot it. Anyone know?

[brrrr]

Sorry, you cant take a couger in MN without the DNR's permission. the couger is a game animal in MN, so you have to wait for an open season.

That is my interpretation of the law IMO.

[picksbigwagon]

While the DNR does not recognize an resident population of cougar or mountain lions in MN, it has made it illegal to shoot one.

[Deep]

No you can not, I emailed the MN DNR about this and "No open season"

[ac777]

why isn't it in the regs?

[picksbigwagon]

Page 19, under protected mammals, second bullet point:

PROTECTED ANIMALS

The following birds and mammals are protected in Minnesota by state

or federal laws:

Protected Birds

• All birds for which seasons are established in these regulations are

protected

birds but may be taken as authorized.

• There is no open season on bobwhite quail, swans, hawks, owls,

eagles, herons, bitterns,

cormorants,

loons, grebes, or any other species

of birds except unprotected birds.

Crows

• Crows may be taken without a license in season or at any time when

they are doing or are about to do damage.

• Electronic calls or sounds may be used for crow hunting.

• Crows may be taken with a legal firearm (shotgun not larger than 10

gauge, rifle, or handgun), bow and arrow, or by falconry.

Mammals• All mammals for which seasons are established in these regulations

are protected mammals, but may be taken as authorized.

• There is no open season on caribou, antelope, lynx, gray wolf,

wolverine,

cougar, or spotted skunk (“civet cat”).

• A person may not export or import a live coyote into the state

unless authorized by the Commissioner.

Taking Protected Species

• No protected species may be taken in any manner in any area of the

state except in accordance with these regulations.

• All protected species must be killed before being removed from the

site where taken.

[ac777]

Thanks for clearing it up Picks, I had someone tell me it was legal earlier today.

[picksbigwagon]

up until about 5 years ago, I believe it was since there were no cougars in minnesota. If I remember correctly, 3 or 4 were shot that year and the DNR added them to the list.....

[reinhard1]

i dont know when cougars were in minnesota originaly, perhapst they were always here just not in great numbers. i remember cougar being here in the 60's when i lived in duluth. and sightings since up to today. good luck.

[LightningBG]

But if you do shoot one, make sure you don't transport it in your skid steer.

[Dave S]

up until about 5 years ago, I believe it was since there were no cougars in minnesota. If I remember correctly, 3 or 4 were shot that year and the DNR added them to the list.....

I don't believe it's ever been legal to shoot a cougar in MN (in the most recent few decades)unless it was self defense or defending livestock. Living near the MN River Valley there's always been sightings here and I've always known (or believed) it to be illegal to shoot them.

[BigJakeL]

+1

[BigJakeL]

But if you do shoot one, make sure you don't transport it in your skid steer.

oops +1

[ac777]

But if you do shoot one, make sure you don't transport it in your skid steer.

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[ac777]

But if you do shoot one, make sure you don't transport it in your skid steer.

I get it now, read the other thread about the deer.

[PurpleFloyd]

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Yep.

Or....

But how could I have illegally shot a creature that doesn't exist?

You way is probably cleaner.

[ac777]

lol

[pureinsanity]

I don't believe it's ever been legal to shoot a cougar in MN (in the most recent few decades)unless it was self defense or defending livestock. Living near the MN River Valley there's always been sightings here and I've always known (or believed) it to be illegal to shoot them.

I am pretty sure you can't even shoot a cougar if it is causing trouble with your pets or livestock, since the cougar is a protected species in Minnesota.

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[LightningBG]

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Oh come on. We're just having a little fun here.

[pureinsanity]

You were having fun in silly town too, and look what happened there!

[LightningBG]

You were having fun in silly town too, and look what happened there!

I wasn't aware anything bad happened in sillytown.