Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are residents of Texas, primarily inhabiting the state’s rugged and remote landscapes. As one of Texas’s largest remaining native carnivores, the mountain lion occupies the top of the food chain, playing an important role in regulating prey populations. The species is highly elusive, which often contributes to public uncertainty regarding its distribution and management across the vast territory of the Lone Star State. Understanding their habitat, legal status, and guidelines for safe coexistence is important for anyone living in or visiting areas where they roam.
Current Range and Habitat in Texas
Mountain lions are not distributed evenly across Texas; established breeding populations concentrate in the state’s western and southern extremes. The Trans-Pecos region, including the mountainous terrain of West Texas and Big Bend National Park, serves as a primary stronghold. Here, the cats prefer rocky canyons, precipitous escarpments, and hilly areas that offer sufficient cover and isolation.
The second major area is the dense brush country of South Texas, often called the Rio Grande Plains, which provides necessary cover for this solitary predator. Sightings occasionally occur in Central and East Texas, but these are typically transient individuals, often young males dispersing in search of new territory. These males can travel hundreds of miles, leading to sporadic appearances far from the core range. These appearances do not indicate the presence of established, breeding populations, as those areas lack the expansive habitat the species requires.
Legal Status and Population Oversight
The legal status of mountain lions in Texas is distinct compared to most other states with resident populations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) classifies the mountain lion as a non-game species, meaning it is not afforded the same protections or management regulations as game animals. Consequently, mountain lions can generally be hunted or trapped year-round with no bag limit, often without a license when taken on private land.
Texas recently introduced its first statewide regulations concerning hunting and trapping, effective in 2024. These new rules ban “canned hunts,” which involved capturing and releasing a lion for an easier kill. The regulations also established a 36-hour limit on how long a live mountain lion can be held in a trap or snare, addressing concerns about exposure or dehydration.
Despite these steps, Texas does not have a mandatory harvest reporting system, which creates significant challenges for population oversight. Hunters and trappers may voluntarily report a take, but the lack of a requirement means biologists have no accurate, state-wide data on the number of cats removed annually. Consequently, no official, verified population estimate exists for mountain lions in Texas, although the available habitat could potentially support thousands of animals.
Encounter Guidelines and Mitigation
Coexisting safely with mountain lions requires understanding their behavior and taking proactive steps to avoid attracting them to residential or recreational areas. Since mountain lions follow their prey, a primary mitigation strategy is to avoid feeding any wildlife, including deer or feral hogs. Removing potential attractants near homes is also important, such as securing all garbage and ensuring livestock feed is inaccessible.
Securing Property and Pets
For those with pets or small livestock in mountain lion country, securing them at night is a wise precaution. Pets left outside overnight should be confined to a secure kennel with a roof, as mountain lions are capable climbers. Reducing dense vegetation or cover near children’s play areas and the immediate vicinity of a home can also reduce the chance of a lion approaching undetected.
Responding to an Encounter
If an encounter with a mountain lion occurs, specific actions increase the chances of a safe outcome. Stay calm and move slowly, immediately picking up any small children to prevent them from running, which can trigger a chase response. Never run or turn your back on the animal; instead, face the lion and maintain eye contact while slowly backing away.
The goal is to appear larger and more formidable. You should raise your arms, wave a walking stick, or hold up a jacket to enlarge your silhouette. If the lion appears aggressive, throw rocks, sticks, or anything else available while speaking firmly and loudly. In the extremely rare event of an attack, fighting back aggressively is the best course of action, as mountain lions have been successfully driven off by humans who resist.