North Dakota
Mountain lions historically inhabited most of North Dakota, but were extirpated by the beginning of the 20th century. Today, there is a small population of cougars confined to a limited portion of the western part of the state. In 2005, North Dakota implemented a limited hunting season with an initial quota of 5 cats. In recent years, quotas have been raised to 21 in the western zone (outside of this small zone, there is a season with no quota).
A multi-year research study completed in 2014 by North Dakota Game and Fish and South Dakota State University found that ND’s small population of cougars is declining, and that immigration from nearby populations in Montana and South Dakota is important to sustaining genetic diversity. The study also concluded that predation on livestock was “minimal.”
For more information on cougar management in North Dakota, read this 2014 report from NDGFD:
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Senators
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Heidi Heitkamp (D)
502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
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John Hoeven (R)
338 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
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Congressmen
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Kevin Cramer (R)
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department administers a mountain lion hunting season in two geographical zones of the state. Zone 1 – the western portion of the state, which NDGFD believes contains most of the state’s cougars – has an annual quota of 21 cats, with no female subquota. Hounds may be used in Zone 1’s late season. Zone 2, which comprises a large majority of the state, is open to hunting with hounds but has no quota.
In the 2013-2014 hunting season, 17 cougars were killed, 13 of which were females. In addition, NDGFD reported a minimum of 14 other cougar mortalities.
According to a recent study conducted by NDGFD and South Dakota State University, cougar populations in the state are declining.
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The Cougar Fund’s comments on North Dakota’s first three-year study of mountain lions
• The Cougar FundNorth Dakota Game and Fish, in partnership with South Dakota State University, has completed their first of two three-year studies of the mountain lion populations in their state. The results of the study indicate that the population is vulnerable, with a declining average age and a low survival rate. The Cougar Fund put forward positive solutions, such as creating and implementing a Mountain Lion Management Plan and emphasizing proactive conflict prevention like the use of livestock guardian dogs.
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Support Grand Teton National Park’s Preferred Alternative for Moose-Wilson
• The Cougar Fund -
Cougars Working Their Way Back Into Midwest
• The Cougar Fund -
Study Sheds Light on “Tough” Life for Cats in North-Central Montana
• The Cougar FundA study being conducted by USFWS biologists in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Montana is shedding light on the difficulty of being a cougar in such rugged prairie habitat. One interesting early finding is that multiple cats from the study area - in which there is no hunting - are being killed by hunters in neighboring North Dakota as they attempt to disperse.
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North Dakota Lion Quota Met; Season Closed
• The Cougar FundNorth Dakota's regulated cougar hunting season in the western portion of the state (Zone 1) has closed after the quota was met. Zone 2 - which comprises most of the state - remains open and has no quota.
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Study: Mountain Lion Population Declining in North Dakota
• The Cougar FundA multi-year, joint study between the North Dakota Game & Fish Department and South Dakota State University indicates that the number of cats in the state is likely trending downward.
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North Dakota Press Release
• The Cougar FundThe Cougar Fund's comments on the North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department’s decision to increase the number of mountain lions that can be killed by hunters this season in zone one, from five to eight.
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Proceedings of the 11th Mountain Lion Workshop
• The Cougar FundProceedings of the 11th Mountain Lion Workshop
Integrating Scientific Findings into Management
Hunter Conference Center, Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah
May 12‐15, 2014 -
Integrating Values and Ethics into Wildlife Policy and Management—Lessons from North America
• The Cougar FundFox and Bekoff (2011)
Abstract: Few animals provoke as wide a range of emotions as wolves. Some see wolves as icons of a lost wilderness; others see them as intruders. As the battle continues between wolf proponents and opponents, finding solutions that resolve conflicts while supporting the integrity of nature is challenging. In this essay we argue that we need to make room for wolves and other native carnivores who are re-colonizing areas from which they were extirpated. Strategies that foster coexistence are necessary and wildlife agencies must consider all stakeholders and invest adequate resources to inform the public about how to mitigate conflicts between people/domestic animals, and predators. Values and ethics must be woven into wildlife policy and management and we must be willing to ask difficult ethical questions and learn from past mistakes.