Immediately following Measure 18s passage, sport hunting related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide (22 in 1995). Historically widespread and prevalent in the state, as settlers arrived cougar populations began to decline. Follow her on Twitter @cfowlkes6. Measure 18 did allow ODFW to appoint agents with hounds to respond to livestock damage, public safety situations, or other official cougar management actions. ODFW will manage for a cougar population that is at or above the 1994 level of approximately 3,000 cougars statewide. If killing 6,762 cougars over a 44-year time period once almost wiped out the cougar population in Oregon, why does ODFW believe that killing 7,468 cougars over the past 43 years of regulated cougar hunting hasnt produced similar results? 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE :: Salem, OR 97302 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339] Problem encounters with cougars have increased in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ten or 20 years ago, Kirchner says the Alsea area didnt see the number of cougar sightings and cougar-related damage complaints he is receiving now. Statesman Journal , 2006, Urge State to Alter Plan for Cougar Management. Second, ODFW is basing its current actions to aggressively reduce Oregons cougar population on a crude computer model which does not accurately reflect the complexity of what is happening on the ground. three separate cougars in and around the Hendricks Park area of Eugene, Oregon, a place seeing heavy use by runners and joggers from the nearby University of Oregon. Elk calf survival doubled in Ukiah Unit and Heppners elk population increased. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The first year mortality records were available was 1918 and between that year and 1961, a total of 6,762 cougars were killed and turned in for bounty. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What wildlife means to you as an Oregon resident and your hopes that the Commission will support that. Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov ODFW reports some of the highest cougar densities in the U.S., but this is highly controversial. Most active at dawn and dusk, cougars are lone hunters. Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! Hike in groups. ODFW Home | Driving Directions | While in parts of the East forests and white-tailed deer populations have rebounded, the return of cougar populations remains unlikely due to a variety of conflicts stemming from human modification of the area. Great Basin Naturalist, 43(3), 425428. By the late 1800s, the fur trade was essentially played out, fur-bearers depleted and Native Americans more dependent on outside food sources and no longer able to live off the land around which their entire cultures had been based. Laying the groundwork for public participation in cougar management: a case study of southwestern oregon, 4441, 33062. The blood and scat samples, the GPS coordinates, all the information he and his team will collect this year and next year could provide a baseline for future management decisions on the coast. But, as Broman said, The chances are plenty of cougars have seen you and you have not seen them.. Cougars have proven to be highly adaptable to human disturbance, the updated state management plan notes. NTKTB2gU:tN:X6(ED-/p2Y 2v@TxX|U~_-`uMRm 18, 2020, 12:29 p.m. All rights reserved (About Us). Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents Cougars could still be removed if a damage or safety situation arises. Be sure to check back often for action items in the state! Cougars are found in all suitable habitat in Oregon and their population is now very healthy. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/ORS.aspx, Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. In July 2023, there will be the opportunity to submit public comments to the Commission regarding cougar hunting in the state. Remove heavy brush from near the house and play areas. (5)The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife posits that this drastic decline might be a direct result of current hunting policies which have caused ashift to harvesting more females and younger animals.. Reports of cougar sightings in Alaska have come from as far west as the Kenai Peninsula, but the most credible reports come from Southeast Alaska, which is adjacent to known populations in Canada. ODFW, USDA Wildlife Services, or volunteer agents can remove cougars using trained hounds or traps. Cougars were nearly extinct by the late 1800's, and increasing deforestation, which reduced the cougar's habitat and its main food source, the white-tailed deer, spelled the final destruction of the eastern cougar. Once the most widely distributed land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, the cougar has now been eliminated from most of its native habitat. (800) 720-6339. In 1843 a bounty program was called on cougars in the Oregon Territory. - Do not run. I think people enjoy being well-informed and educated and this gives them a snapshot of exactly where all the sightings have been, so they can make appropriate decisions, OMeara said. They justified this boost by claiming thatLocal cougar population densities exceed any documented in North America.(1)As of April, 2011 ODFWs website posted an estimate of more than 5,700 cougars residing in Oregon, and some hound-hunting proponents are even claiming the cougar population in Oregon has reached the 7,000 level. If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available. Unlike other states, ODFW includes kittens in its estimate. Fur was the first natural resource to be recognized and exploited in what is now Oregon. Oregon's Cougar Management Plan requires a minimum population of 3,000 cougars, but has no upward ceiling or limit on the cougar population. Oregon has over 6,000 cougars statewide, up from an estimated 200 in the late 1960s. Residents were told to be on the lookout after several cougar sightings in . More than 6,000 cougars live in Oregon, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. A familys home surveillance cameras captured footage of a cougar ambling about last week near Forest Park in Northwest Portland. 541.886.0212 | Enterprise office[emailprotected]. However, those behaviors do lead to an increased chance of human interactions that may include conflict and damage.. Oregons cougar populations are most dense in the southwest Cascades and Blue Mountains, according to the ODFW. This summer, people reported multiple cougar sightings near downtown Tigard, a city of more than 48,000 outside of Portland. Cougar runs in front of deputy's car Recent sightings include this one in Clackamas County where a cougar ran in front of a deputy's car and in Tigard, where multiple sightings have. However, with higher numbers of these predators comes increased conflict. For almost a third of this 44-year period the annual cougar mortality numbers never even reached 100; and this wasnt just at the end when Oregons cougar population had basically been wiped out. Maser, C., & Rohweder, R. S. (1983). South Dakota: 300 - 500 South Dakota successfully reintroduced mountain lions in recent years. ContactODFW's public service representative at odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov. ODFW will proactively manage cougar-human conflicts as measured by non-hunting mortalities and ODFW may take management actions to reduce the cougar population. Steens Mtn (Harney County): Remove 10 cougars annually to improve mule deer and bighorn sheep populations. While actual cougar sightings have increased, coyotes, bobcats and dogs are often mistaken for cougars. Read the latest edition of the Klamath Falls Herald and News. Do not approach any wildlife; stay at least 100 yards away. ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) Yellow signs at trailheads in Ecola and Fort Stevens state parks feature a drawing of a cougar and a blank space to write the date whenever the animal is spotted. ODFW closely tracks all cougars killed in Oregon. ODFW Home | Driving Directions | Fur were an extremely valuable commodity of international trade as beaver and otter pelts, specifically, were in high demand in Europe and China. Indeed the cougar used to roam across the entire U.S., but cougars east of the Mississippi are now considered extinct, with the exception of the Florida panther. Carroll, C. (2000). Jun. Hunters targeting cougar often use predator calls and tracking in snowto find them. During the following 26 years of regulated cougar hunting in Oregon the annual hunting mortality numbers steadily increased from 6 in 1967 to a high of 187 in 1992. Cougars are found in all suitable habitat in Oregon and their population is now very healthy. Hunters in the wider coastal management zone, even when they have cougar tags just in case, are more likely to report taking a cougar while hunting for a different animal entirely. ODFW. Be especially alert at dawn and dusk when cougars are most active. However, a review by MLF researchers of a 2001 GAP analysis habitat map could only identify approximately 49,344 square miles or roughly 51 percent of the state as viable cougar habitat. The Susquehannock Wildlife Society wrote an article about a potential cougar photograph submitted to them and discussed their process of investigation, in the end they deemed it was not a mountain lion. Wildlife managers believe cougars could be reaching a saturation point elsewhere in the state, forcing young animals to seek new territory. OREGON S ELK MANAGEMENT February 2003. You can check the statutes directly at a state-managed website:https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/ORS.aspxThese statutes are searchable. Contact 503-947-6042 or click here. First documented in the return of healthy riparian structures in Yellowstone Park after the reintroduction of wolves, top predators such as cougars, wolves, and bears have repeatedly been shown to have a disproportionate impact on the health of ecosystems by keeping the populations of herbivores such as deer and elk in check. Keep children close to you. Below are the most recent numbers on cougar harvest by zone. These cats do not chase their prey, but stealthily stalk and ambush it, commonly leaping onto their prey's back and lethally biting it in the neck. At first, traders in Oregon acquired furs by bartering with the local Native Americans but as word got out about the rich fur resources available, big fur companies such as Hudsons Bay Company and American Fur Company began to employ their own professional trappers. (2014). Cant find what you need? For information on how to live with wildlife, visit these species pages: Bats | Beaver | Birds | Black Bears | Bobcats | Cougars | Coyotes | Deer and Elk | Frogs | Nutria | Osprey | Owls | Raccoons | Snakes | Tree Squirrels | Turkeys | Turtles | Wolves | Young Wildlife. However, on the coast and in the Willamette Valley, human populations have increased along with cougar populations, opening the door for potential clashes and an uptick in sightings. In 1967 cougars were reclassified as game animals in an effort (according to ODFW) to protect the species from unregulated hunting. As the time approaches, be sure to tune in for talking points with the Mountain Lion Foundation when proposals are released. 916-442-2666 Cougars can leap as far as 20 feet and can kill their prey with a single bite to the neck. Mail Tribune to cease operations Friday - 1/13/2023, Talent taproom brims with cider, beer, food, fun, PREP ROUNDUP: Challengers push win streak to 8, SOU names Berk Brown as new head football coach, Survey: Oregonians support forest projects, Why we should pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, Live Rogue Valley music, MLK Day celebrations& more: Jan. 13, Jackson Creek Pizza has been serving up the pie for 20 years, Adam Rich, former 'Eight Is Enough' child star, dies at 54, US approves Alzheimer's drug that modestly slows disease, Plan for success with planting calendar for vegetable gardens, By On one map, showing cougar mortality from 1987 to 1994, there is a smattering of dead animals. The statewide population of cougars is growing, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Females initiate courtship during which males and females live together. . In 2008 neighboring Washington state (which in 1996 passed similar legislation to Measure 18, and whose state wildlife agency followed ODFWs game plan of numerous, cheap cougar hunting tags and long hunt seasons) reported a nearly 40 percent drop in the states cougar population from five years previous. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As you can see, proactive management, while sounding responsible and scientific, merely means reduce the cougar population. ODFWs so-called proactive cougar management plan is in reality a set of directives for the elimination of the species in Oregon. According to a2008 ODFW reporton the status of Oregons cougars, the 2006 revision established5 guiding objectives for cougar management in Oregon: Within these objectives, a number of zone-specific criteria are established that trigger management actions and are used to monitor progress toward objectives. ; females 75-100 lbs. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. First, ODFWs 1994 population estimate of 3,000 cougars is in dispute. Cougars have many common names, owing to their wide distribution across the Americas; several well known names are mountain lion, puma, catamount, ghost cat, and panther. This can lead to overhunting, which in turn can disrupt cougar social structures and result in more conflict with livestock and people. In 1967 the cougar was reclassified from a predator to a game animal, which gave the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) management control over the population. . Given the available habitat and results from scientific research conducted in Washington showing roughly 5 independent cougars per 100 square miles, the Mountain Lion Foundation would estimate fewer than 3,000 independent adult cougars in the State of Oregon. There's never been a fatal cougar attack in the wild in Oregon, Broman said. Cougar awareness. You would like to see a summer hunting season closure during the summer to help protect kittens when they are most likely to be denning. Walk pets during the day and keep them on a leash. jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015. Sporthunters and landowners must check in the carcass of any cougar they kill within 10 days so ODFW can track its age and sex. Maps; Peavy Arboretum; Recreation Management; Visitor Information; Volunteer Information; Research. One, a sighting of a cougar at 10:38 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, indicated that an officer observed the cat walking toward (SOU) campus, officer tried to get a clean shot to put the cat down, but could not fire safely. That was two days after an officer did shoot at a cougar near the Hannon Library about two blocks away, at about the same time of night. Keep pets indoors at dawn and dusk. Mountain lions are native to Oregon, and as happened in so many other states, when settlers began to arrive, mountain lions began to decline. The footage shows the stocky animal scurrying down a snowy slope and crossing Highway 20 east of Santiam Pass. However, cougars do require habitats that provide sources of large prey and terrain or vegetation to provide cover for them while they are hunting. The mapping system was created by the Ashland Police Department in partnership with the citys geographic information system department. More than 43,000 tags were sold in 2009. Shelter them for the night. In the updated cougar management plan, there are maps of the coastal zone sprinkled with dots that represent the location of dead cougars cats killed by hunters, struck by cars, shot by wildlife managers after they threatened human or animal safety. His agency has tips about what to doin the unlikely event you come across a cougar. Estimated population: While there may be as few as 2,500, ODFW lists the population at 6,000. This group is for cougar ,Bobcat,coyote wolfs sightings . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). | Weight: Males 140-200 lbs. The bounty continued for 44 years and was discontinued in 1961 by the State of Oregon for a lack of cougars only 28 cougar carcasses were turned in that year. Once a quota in a certain zone is met, that zone will close for cougar hunting. In the map for 2006 to 2016, the dots form thick black clusters in the south, especially around the Alsea management area near Newport where biologists plan to begin to collar and tag cougars this fall. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? The heel pad has three distinct lobes at the base of the heel pad, forming an "M" shape. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Year Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D Zone E Zone F Total 2007 156 171 30 20 46 30 453 Cougar sightings and encounters are rare, according to the agency, but sightings have increased. In northeastern Oregon, male cougars can have a home range of 78 miles. Keister Jr, G. P., & Van Dyke, W. a. 5825 North Greeley, Portland, OR 97217 A comparable time period of regulated hunting has now passed (1967 to 2009 the last year of records released by ODFW). No other game species in Oregon is counted this way, leading wildlife biologists and managers in other states to believe ODFW radicallyoverestimates Oregon's cougar population. A cougar can be identified by its large size, cat-like appearance, consistent tan or tawny body color, and long tail. A cougar can be identified by its large size, cat-like appearance, consistent tan or tawny body color, and long tail. 541.382-2616 | Bend office The earliest report is dated Oct. 15; the most recent was for Friday, Nov. 9. You have permission to edit this article. The Alsea team hopes to collar 10 adult cougars, preferably five males and five females. They are generally solitary animals, except for mothers who remain with kittens for about two years. and Warner where cougar target areas were in effect from 2012-15. info@mountainlion.org. Measure 18 outlaws the use of dogs for cougar sport hunting, which appealed to many as a way to reduce the number of cougars killed by sport hunters, since the use of dogs is considered the most efficient way to hunt cougars. A cougar (Phalinn via Lion Foundation/Submitted photo) The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife is working with the Bend Police Department to locate and euthanize an adult cougar deemed a. Cougars are found in all suitable habitat in Oregon and their population is very healthy. Mother is likely nearby. TheOregon Legislative Assemblyis a bicameral legislative body. Non-Hunter Harvest numbers include depredation kills; administrative removals; public safety actions. Box 1896 However, with higher numbers of these predators comes increased conflict. Most years . If a nearby state with similar habitat (Washington) has the same cougar hunting restrictions, as well as analogous cougar hunting policies (without the additional administrative removal plan), and that states policies and actions have resulted in a significant reduction in their cougar population, why does ODFW believe that similar results are not taking place in Oregon? Recently, the absence of cougars in Zion National Park, and the resulting large populations of deer, has been linked to eroded stream banks and a loss of riparian vegetation and species. The numbers below are as of 11 April 2023, Information based on data sheets received at Wildlife Health and Population Lab. 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