Yes, in Texas you can legally shoot a mountain lion (also known as a cougar) under ordinary hunting or trapping laws, because they are classified as a nongame animal and are not protected under game-hunting seasons. However, there are important recent rules and exceptions you must follow such as bans on “canned hunts,” restrictions on trapping methods and reporting requirements.
What Texas Law and TPWD Say
According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), mountain lions in Texas are classified as “nongame animals,” meaning they are not regulated under the state’s game-hunting seasons.
This means:
- There is no closed season for mountain lion hunting.
- They may be harvested at any time using legal methods.
- However, you must still abide by overall state wildlife rules (you must have landowner permission if on private land, you must avoid prohibited methods, and respect area-specific regulations).
In May 2024, the TPWD Commission moved to tighten rules related to hunting/trapping mountain lions: among other changes, they approved a ban on “canned hunts” (where a lion is trapped/released for sport hunting) and instituted a requirement that traps for mountain lions be checked every 36 hours.
The TPWD notes on its website that you may harvest a mountain lion “at any time” using legal methods, but the “canned hunt” prohibition means you cannot capture a lion and then release it to be hunted later for sport.
What “Hunting” Versus “Landowner Conflict” Means
There are two common scenarios under which a mountain lion can be shot in Texas:
- Hunting/harvest for sport or predator control on property where you have permission, using legal firearms/trapping methods. Because lions are nongame, you don’t necessarily need a special “lion permit” beyond whatever general authorization the landowner provides (though local regulations or TPWD rules may add reporting).
- Landowner defensive action: If a mountain lion is killing livestock or poses an immediate threat on your land, it’s typically legal for the landowner or their agent to take the lion under predator-control justification. The TPWD article indicates that while rules are being updated, landowners still have ability to manage lions predating livestock.
Requirements, Restrictions & Best Practices
Even though it’s legal in broad terms, you must still meet important conditions:
- Landowner permission: If you are hunting on private land you must have the landowner’s permission.
- Legal method of take: While lions are nongame, you cannot use prohibited devices (depending on locality or trap laws) and must comply with trap check rules (for lions, check every 36 hours).
- No “canned hunts”: The law banning canned hunts took effect Sept 1, 2024. You cannot trap a lion, hold it in an enclosed facility and then release it for hunting.
- Reporting: TPWD encourages reporting any harvest or mortality of mountain lions, even though formal licensing or tag issuance is not required.
- Respect local rules and federal laws: If the lion is on or near federal land, or special habitat, additional federal laws or conservation rules might apply.
- Safety and wildlife ethics: Though legal, hunting or trapping mountain lions should comply with ethical hunting practices and consider public safety, especially in areas where humans might be present.
Why the Rules Are Changing
Mountain lions in Texas have traditionally been subject to minimal regulation largely due to their historically low numbers and their role as predator species on ranch land. But in recent years:
- Conservationists have raised concerns about their declining populations, habitat fragmentation, and the ethics of certain hunting practices.
- The TPWD has responded by introducing more rules around trapping and “fair chase” principles (e.g., the ban on canned hunts).
- At the same time, ranchers and landowners still want control to protect livestock, so Texas is balancing conservation and predator control.
Final Thoughts
Yes you can legally shoot a mountain lion in Texas, because they are classified as nongame animals and there is no traditional closed hunting season or strict game tag requirement. However, you must adhere to certain rules: landowner permission, legal methods of take, compliance with new TPWD rules (no canned hunts, trap check every 36 hours if trapping), and reporting when required. If you’re in a scenario involving livestock predation, defensive shooting is also generally permitted.
