In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Young, a wildlife biologist and professor at Utah State University, to discuss the complex world of mountain lion research, hunting, and conservation. With recent changes in (and attempts to change) hunting regulations and growing debates about predator management in mind, we talk about what science, and real-world experience, tell us about these elusive big cats.

We also cover:

- How hunting (or banning it) impacts cougar populations

- The role of houndsmen in mountain lion research

- Why balance—not total protection or elimination—is key

- What happens when predators disappear from an ecosystem

- The biggest misconceptions about cougars and hunting

- This is a deep dive into the science, policy, and boots-on-the-ground reality of managing one of North America’s top predators—tune in for an eye-opening conversation.

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