These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.
2020 Mountain Lion Season Dates
Archery (without hounds)
September 5 – October 18
Fall (without hounds)
October 24 – November 29
Winter (with hounds)
December 1 – April 14
Late Winter (with hounds)
February 1 – April 14
Licenses & Fees
Mountain Lion — General
Details: A Mountain Lion License purchased after August 31 may be purchased at any license provider, any FWP office, or online AND may not be used until 5 days after the license is issued. Not available to apprentice hunters.
Fees:
Resident: $19
Nonresident: $320
Mountain Lion — Special License
Details: Some districts require special licenses that are limited and available only through a drawing. Apply online or at an FWP office by July 24. Residents and nonresidents pay a $5 nonrefundable drawing fee; successful applicants are required to pay the full license fee. Not available to apprentice hunters.
Fees:
Resident: $19
Nonresident: $320
Hound Training License
Details: This license entitles the license holder to use a dog or dogs to aid in chasing mountain lions and/or bobcat in all valid mountain lion hunting districts in the state, except Hunting District 282, during the hound training season from Dec. 2-April 14. A resident hunter with a valid mountain lion license is not required to have a Resident Hound Training License to chase mountain lion. This is available over the counter to resident Conservation License holders 12 years of age or older or who will turn 12 before or during the season for which the license is issued.
Fees:
Resident-only: $5
Non-Resident Hound Handler License
Details: The state Legislature passed House Bill 311 during the 2019 legislative session. HB311 created a Non-Resident Hound Handler License. Statutory limitations of HB311 include that no more than 35 NRHH licenses may be issued in any year, and no more than 2 in any hunting district. The nonresident hound handler license is for personal use only and cannot be used to assist any other person in the pursuit of a lion for harvest.
When the male or female subquota or quota is reached in a hunting district or management unit, the mountain lion season for that subquota or quota in that huting district or management unit will close upon 24-hour notice.
Mountain lion quotas fill quickly in some hunting districts or management units so hunters should check harvest closure information frequently.
As of 2015, FWP no longer offers trichinella testing for bear and lion hunters. We have provided this Trichinella Information Sheet to explain the trichinella testing options.
