Bill > SB349

This bill provides a mechanism for county voters to approve the use of dogs for hunting cougars within their county. Specifically, the bill allows electors of a county to vote on a measure during a countywide election that would permit hunters to use one or more dogs to hunt, pursue, or take cougars. If such a measure passes, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife can then issue a special cougar tag to residents of that county, enabling them to use dogs for cougar hunting. The bill modifies existing Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) to create an exception to the current prohibition on using dogs to hunt cougars, making it legal in counties that choose to approve such a measure through a local election. This change provides local communities with more discretion in wildlife management practices while maintaining state oversight through the special tag issuance process. The bill also preserves existing provisions that allow dogs to be used by wildlife management agencies and for addressing wildlife causing damage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB349