Cougar hunting closed in five local units

OLYMPIA — Cougar hunting season is closed five Southwest Washington game units — Battle Ground, Washougal, Siouxon, Wind River and West Klickitat, according to state wildlife officials.

Washington has 50 cougar hunting areas. Nine closed on Dec. 31.

The state manages cougar hunting under a plan where the Department of Fish and Wildlife can close areas where the cougar harvest meets or exceeds area guidelines.

“The goal is to preserve a variety of cougar age classes  — particularly older animals — in numerous areas throughout the state,’’ said Mick Cope, game division manager. “Those older cougar tend to be more effective at maintaining stable territories.’’

Other cougar areas may close before the end of the late season on April 30.

Hunters can check on the agency website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar or call 1-866-364-4868 to check which areas remain open.

Some big-game hunters believe Washington’s cougar-hunting rules are too restrictive and that cougars are partially responsible for declining deer populations.