For some time now, I have been wondering about Cougar Bag limits. Specifically, my question has been that while clearly the BC Provincial Bag limit (as of this writing - As always, regulations are subject to change at anytime and I am posting what is valid right now as I type) is 2 and I now am living and doing most of my Hunting in Region 4 which has a Regional Bag Limit of 2. That said many MU's in this Region have a bag limit of 1.
With some help from a CO, I have discovered that there is actually a reason why MU's are clustered together in the Regulations Synopsis! Using Region 4 Cougar Hunting (not including Pursuit Only as that's not applicable here as nothing's taken - Pursuit Only is only for running the hounds on Game. Also not included are potential MU closures due to excess female harvest) as an example the clusters are -
4-1 to 4-4, 4-21 to 4-26, 4-34 t0 4-36 Bag Limit of 1. Sept 10-Jan 31
4-5, 4-20 bag limit of 1. Sept 10-Feb 28
4-6 to 4-8, 4-28 to 4-31, 4-38, 4-39 Bag Limit of 2. Sept 10-Mar 31
4-9 to 4-19, 4-27, 4-32, 4-33, 4-37, 4-40 Bag Limit of 1
My question was can I kill a Cougar in 4-20 then take another out of 4-4? The answer is yes as they are different clusters. Can I kill a Cougar in 4-33 and then another in 4-32? No, because they are the same cluster. Two cats can be killed for the entire bag limit in any of the MU's from the 2 Cougar Bag Limit.
Turns out this is why the MU's are clustered up together as they are! Anyone else know this? Thoughts, comments?