Our years of field work led to development of a new management strategy based on a metapopulation approach. To achieve long-term survival of mountain lions—desired by both hunters and conservationists—we proposed establishing a system of "sources" (nonhunted areas) and "sinks" (hunted areas) that would protect sufficient numbers of lions even at historically low densities to maintain long-term viable populations and still maintain traditional harvest levels. Source areas must be large enough and juxtaposed so that dispersal from these sources can replace losses in the sink or hunted areas. We used our study area as an example to show how this might be done, determining open and closed areas based on size, accessibility, and juxtaposition. We suggested ways in which wildlife managers might adopt the system relatively easily, including using existing management units. This kind of regional management planning for the hunting of lions will ensure their long-term survival and reduce many of the conflicts with people.

Associated Publication
Laundré, John, & Tim W. Clark. 2003. Managing puma hunting in the western United States: though a metapopulation approach. Animal Conservation 6: 159-170.