Cougar/deer combo

With the expiration of the hound hunting pilot program in Okanogan, Chelan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille and Klickitat counties, the best option for cougar hunters is to buy a bargain-priced cougar license and go deer hunting. Under this year’s rules, deer hunters with a valid cougar license and transport tag can take a cougar during the modern firearm deer season, statewide, through the end of the year. That’s a change from recent years, when general cougar hunting seasons in those six counties were delayed to accommodate a special-permit hound season.