Parks and Wildlife Commission approves new rules aimed at protecting mountain lions

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is taking steps to protect mountain lions in the state, approving new rules related to hunting and trapping the animals.

Current rules don't require checks of traps set for mountain lions, leading to concerns that animals are left to die slowly and inhumanely.

The new rules ban live mountain lions from being kept in a trap or snare for more than 36 hours. The commission also voted to ban 'canned hunts' — when animals are bred just to be killed in a confined area.

Breaking the rules is punishable by a Class C misdemeanor, but the goal isn't just handing out tickets.

"Our objective here is not 'gotcha' and trying to catch somebody that's living narrowly on the edge," TPWD Commissioner Paul Foster said. "What we're trying to do is influence good behavior and and punish really bad behavior."

Mountain lions can be found in remote mountains, hilly areas or canyonlands. They're mostly found in southern and western portions of the state, but are occasionally found in the western Hill Country.