By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (April 22, 2025)
UPDATE: As of April 23, 2025, California Senate Bill 818 remains under legislative consideration and has not been withdrawn. Introduced by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) on February 21, 2025, the bill proposes a five-year pilot program, “Tree and Free,” in El Dorado County. This initiative aims to authorize certified houndspersons to nonlethally haze mountain lions identified as potential threats to public safety, livestock, or pets. The program seeks to collect data on the effectiveness of such deterrent methods.
On March 12, 2025, SB 818 was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. As of this date, no further actions, amendments, or votes have been recorded.
The bill has garnered support from proponents who argue that nonlethal hazing can restore mountain lions’ natural avoidance behaviors, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflicts. Conversely, wildlife conservation groups have expressed concerns regarding the ethics and potential impacts of the proposed methods.
Currently, SB 818 is pending review in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. No hearings have been scheduled, and the bill has not been withdrawn.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A controversial bill proposing a pilot program to allow trained houndsmen to nonlethally haze mountain lions in El Dorado County has been withdrawn following heated discussions in the state legislature.
Senate Bill 818, introduced by Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson), aimed to establish a five-year “Tree and Free” program. This initiative would have permitted certified individuals to use hounds to deter mountain lions identified as potential threats to public safety, livestock, or pets. The program was designed to collect data on the effectiveness of nonlethal hazing methods in reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
The bill emerged in response to increasing mountain lion encounters in El Dorado County, including a tragic incident in March 2024 where 21-year-old Taylen Brooks was fatally attacked while hiking. His younger brother, Wyatt, sustained serious injuries during the same encounter.
Proponents argued that the bill would proactively address the rising number of mountain lion sightings and attacks. John Chandler, a professional trapper in El Dorado County, stated, “Hunting solves everything,” emphasizing the role of controlled hazing in reducing dangerous human-wildlife interactions.
However, the bill faced strong opposition from wildlife conservation groups. Brent Lyles, executive director of the Mountain Lion Foundation, expressed concerns over the ethics and long-term impacts of the proposed methods. “We don’t want mountain lions to live under the threat of needless or ruthless persecution,” Lyles said, advocating for nonlethal deterrents like motion-activated devices and guardian animals.
Scientific studies have shown that nonlethal hazing can be effective in reinstating natural avoidance behaviors in mountain lions. Research conducted in Washington and Nevada indicates that hound-based hazing reinforces the animals’ tendency to steer clear of human-populated areas.
Despite the bill’s withdrawal, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in collaboration with Utah State University, has initiated studies to evaluate various mountain lion management strategies, including the use of hounds, scare devices, and fencing technologies.
As El Dorado County continues to grapple with the challenges of coexisting with mountain lions, the debate over the most ethical and effective management practices remains a contentious issue among residents, lawmakers, and conservationists.
