Maybe they're protected because all wildlife in PA is protected. That means unless there is a specific season for any species of wildlife, that species cannot legally be killed.

USP must now be convinced panthers exist in PA, since they mentioned them at least twice in their latest version of the PGC lawsuit. Once inconjunction with all them nasty predators that are or could bedecimating our deer herds and once where they demand a PGC investigation into surging panther sightings.