Texas Parks and Wildlife Consider Increased Reporting on Mountain Lions
May 21, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is calling on the public to weigh in on a proposed change that could significantly reshape how mountain lions are monitored across the state.
The proposal, announced May 20, would require mandatory reporting of all harvested mountain lions—a shift from the current voluntary system that officials say has failed to produce reliable data.
Background: A Mysterious Predator
Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, once ranged across nearly all of the United States. Today, their populations are largely concentrated in the western third of the country. In Texas, sightings are most common in the rugged Trans-Pecos region, the brushlands of South Texas, and parts of the Hill Country.
Despite their wide range, mountain lions remain elusive and difficult to study. Texas stands out nationally for having some of the most flexible regulations on the species—there are currently no harvest limits, and management decisions often rely on limited information.
That lack of data is exactly what TPWD hopes to address.
Why the Change Matters
Wildlife biologists say accurate population estimates are essential for balancing conservation with hunting and land management rights. According to TPWD, combining harvest data—such as the age and sex of animals—with other biological information can provide a clearer picture of population trends at relatively low cost.
However, voluntary reporting has not delivered enough consistent data to be useful.
“Without reliable reporting, we’re essentially managing in the dark,” one TPWD official noted in the release.
Mandatory reporting has already proven effective in other Western states and in monitoring other species within Texas.
What the Proposal Includes
If adopted, the new regulation would introduce several requirements for hunters:
- All harvested mountain lions must be reported within 24 hours using the Texas Hunt and Fish app or website
- Only the county of harvest would be required—exact locations remain private
- Hunters must submit a small tooth (premolar) and tissue sample within 60 days
- Samples can be collected by the hunter or by a TPWD biologist upon request
- Personal information would remain confidential under state law
The agency emphasized that the reporting system is designed to work even without cell service, syncing data once a connection is available.
Public Input Now Open
TPWD is actively seeking feedback before any final decision is made by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Public comment is open through May 27, with multiple ways to participate:
- Online submissions via the TPWD public comment portal
- Email feedback to agency officials
- In-person testimony at the Commission meeting on May 28 in Austin
Public speakers will be limited to two to three minutes, following standard procedure.
Looking Ahead
The proposed rule does not change hunting rights or impose harvest limits—for now. Instead, it focuses on building a foundation of reliable data that could guide future decisions.
Whether Texans see the move as necessary science or unnecessary regulation will likely shape the outcome. Either way, the next step in managing one of the state’s most secretive predators may depend heavily on what the public has to say in the coming days.
