What To Do Wednesday: Issue #3

What to do if you see a cougar near your home.

Too close for comfort. (Photo: Billings Gazette / Courtesy Photo)

Following the recent news that a cougar was killed by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for getting too comfortable around a Helena home, it seems appropriate to discuss the nuances of safely coexisting with these felids. Because cougars are wild animals, their behavior can be unpredictable – but not as unpredictable as you might think. As a result, learning a little bit about these cats can go a long way in helping you understand when they are or aren’t a threat, and how you can prevent conflict. So, if you see a cougar near your home, consider these points:

Cougars have huge territories. If they are seen near human-occupied areas, they are likely only passing through.
Cougars typically avoid people. Their presence near homes and developed areas will likely be short-lived.
Assess your property. If a cougar is “hanging around,” there’s likely a reason why (i.e., there’s an attractant, such as food or shelter).
Do not feed wildlife. The presence of prey species such as deer can draw predators into developed areas (especially in winter).
Hang bird feeders in a manner that doesn’t attract small mammals.
Keeping pets (easy targets) inside can help where can i buy valtrex from prevent conflict.
Properly storing food and waste eliminates another potential attractant.
“Cougar-proof” your porch, shed, or any other places around your home that a cougar might consider using as shelter.
While cougar attacks are extremely rare, reduce the potential even further by staying inside and carefully supervising children if you know a cougar is in the area.
If you’re excited by a recent sighting and get the urge to investigate the tracks or nearby area, only do so during the day, with a partner.

Understanding cougar behavior and observing these “rules” will go a long way in keeping you and the cougar safe. Of course, there are situations where cougars pose a real threat to public safety. If a cat is frequenting a human-occupied area and exhibiting aggressive behavior (i.e., stalking people), it may be habituated or even dangerous, and it is time to contact local wildlife officials. It is important to remember, however, this situation is extremely rare. Most cougar sightings will be an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience, not a burden or danger!

For more information on living in cougar country, visit:

http://www.cougarfund.org/living/livingguidelines/

Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group. (2005). Cougar management guidelines. (1st ed). Bainbridge Island, WA: WildFutures.

Hornocker, M., & Negri, S. (2010). Cougar: Ecology & conservation. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.

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Again, I only see the use of dogs in going after a Rouge animal that has done serious wrong. Being hunted by a pack of dogs is so unfair and disrespectful to such an incredible animal. I think Ranchers should get double or even triple compensation if a Lion or Wolf takes down their livestock. One of one isn't enough. At least they will be happy and not be so hateful towards an Apex animal. I am from New England - we had the Eastern Mountain Lion subspecies. We killed them all off and they have been deemed extinct by Smithsonian. The last one was killed in Maine in 1938. This is why I have such an interest in them and am involved in their conservation. This will always be a hot topic - we shall see how it unfolds.

Just curious... I live in Colorado, and a common refrain you hear from opponents of this measure is that we should not be doing "ballot box biology", and that biology should be left to the biologists. I guess the problem I have with this argument is that all you have to do is read The Ninemile Wolves by Rick Bass or the chapter on "The Predatory Bear" in Dominion of Bears to see that wildlife agencies are frequently politicized, and they themselves have agendas that are not rooted in sound biology (CPW does actually have a decent reputation though). Utah's recent changes to their Mountain Lion hunting rules certainly weren't rooted in biology. When you dig deeper, it seems like a lot of the opposition to these measures has to do with protecting hunting and ranching interests. Ranchers don't want any depredations, and hunters want to be able to kill predators so there are more ungulates for hunters to kill (outfitters obviously have an economic stake in these decisions). I don't mean to demean either group of people... I have eaten plenty of beef in my life, and, while I don't hunt, I understand that it is a part of some people's way of life. But if I were sitting with a fellow Colorado resident who was telling me that the State should not be engaging in "ballot-box biology", what counterargument would you recommend that I make?