In a deeply disturbing move, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved an expansion of one of the most inhumane hunting practices still legal in the United States: chasing mountain lions with dogs. The decision will allow hunters to use hounds to pursue terrified mountain lions across more of the Black Hills Fire Protection District, including newly opened stretches of privately owned land.
This change is not only cruel, it is indefensible. Mountain lions, who are already under intense pressure from shrinking habitats and human encroachment, now face even more brutal odds. The expansion marks a significant shift from long-standing boundaries around Custer State Park, where hound hunting was traditionally contained. Now, vast areas to the south and east of the park are fair game for so-called “sport.”
In hound hunting, packs of trained dogs are released into the wild to follow the scent of a mountain lion for miles. When the exhausted animal is finally cornered or forced to climb up a tree, it is effectively defenseless. The hunter then strolls up, takes aim, and pulls the trigger, often at close range. There is no chase and no fair chance for the animal to escape.
Even more heartbreaking is the extension of the dog-hunting permit season from two weeks to three. This is an unnecessary increase in time that only benefits a handful of hunters at the expense of wild animals already struggling to survive. Though the number of hound permits remains capped at 15 individuals, the devastation these hunts inflict is disproportionate. Furthermore, the state will now issue unlimited permits within Custer State Park for those hunting mountain lions without dogs, turning the last remaining sanctuary into open season.
Despite serious public concern, including fears of dogs trespassing on private land and increased conflicts with landowners, the commission chose to side with a minority of hunters and private interests.
The kill limit remains set at 60 mountain lions or 40 females. Every mountain lion killed represents a disruption to an already delicate ecosystem. The loss of a mother could lead to the gradual demise of her dependent cubs.
Mountain lions should be protected, not persecuted. Their dwindling numbers, slow reproduction rates, and critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems make them among the most vulnerable species in North America. Hunting them with hounds is not tradition, it is cruelty masked as recreation.
Continue to voice your opinion. Please urge the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission to reverse their decision and permanently ban hound hunting HERE!
