glowballs,
I don't think the state would have a problem with you killing a cougar that was in your backyard. Besides, isn't the season about 6 months long? There's a good chance they'd be in season anyway, and you could just put your tag on it. Kill all of 'em I say. And I don't mean I want all cats killed, I just mean kill the ones you see. Sure won't hurt the cat population any, now that you can't hunt them with hounds.