These factors are outlined in the Cougar Management Plan. 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. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/ORS.aspx, Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. They begin to breed at 2-3 years old and continue to breed every 2-3 years throughout their lifespan, which lasts an average of eight years. . An estimated 6,493 cougars lived in Oregon in 2015, a healthy population, according to the state. Most active at dawn and dusk, cougars are lone hunters. 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. Cougars that are removed are taken to ODFW offices so staff can collect sex and age data. 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. The numbers below are as of 03 March 2023 Of this, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) claim that 71,997 square miles, or 75 percent of the state, is suitable cougar habitat. 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. Longcore, T. (2013). Estimated population: While there may be as few as 2,500, ODFW lists the population at 6,000. (2009). The witness initially spotted the cougar in the area of Grocery Outlet, then followed . As a result, sport-hunting related cougar mortalities have increased to record highs despite the ban on using hounds. Oregons first Cougar Management Plan was developed in 1987 with revisions in 1993, 1998, 2006, and2017. However, the Oregon Constitution also allows the legislature to extend regular sessions by five days with the approval of two-thirds of the members of each chamber and does not limit the number of times a session may be extended. The state of Oregon encompasses 95,996 square miles of land. Leave your dog at home or keep it on a leash. 541.886.0212 | Enterprise office[emailprotected]. Their management plan is fundamentally flawed because: Today, ODFWs estimate of 6,600 cougars in Oregon would indicate a cougar density roughly 2.5 times that of neighboring Washington and is widely believed by biologists to be overstated. Klamath Falls man sentenced to 23 years for assault, facing additional rape, sexual assault charges, Shes not going to die in vain: Mom, family seek answers from child welfare agency, Criminal investigation launched into death of 14-year-old Fallon Murdock, Local nurse scheduled for settlement hearings next week, Paranormal Cirque opens Thursday in Klamath Falls. An evaluation of the biological feasibility of restoring wolf, wolverine, and grizzly bear to oregon and california, (July). A cougar is pictured in a file photo.AP Photo/National Park Service. (2002). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. HVKo0Wh"e5=l@Cad[i?~v[,C arFo]HI?0HC. Volunteer agents must undergo background checks and training before doing any cougar removal work for ODFW and are not permitted to keep the carcass. Choose wisely! Year Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D Zone E Zone F Total 2007 156 171 30 20 46 30 453 hbbd``b`$~ $"'@ '"A 8$d CHLxd# `4 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 350 0 obj <>stream Oregon has about 6,000 cougars statewide, up from an estimated 200 in the late 1960s. A predictive population model for cougars in Oregon. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. ODFW will proactively manage cougar-livestock conflicts as measured by non-hunting mortalities and livestock damage complaints and ODFW may take management actions to reduce the cougar population. Most cougars are taken incidentally by big game hunters targeting deer or elk. Hunting Cougar Salem, OR 97302 ODFW estimates Oregon's current population of cougars to be at around 6,600. Northwest Science, 76(l), 1525. In response ODFW lengthened the hunting season to year-round in some regions, significantly reduced the cost of a cougar hunting tag for Oregon residents, increased annual hunting quotas, increased the bag limit, and issued an unlimited number of hunting tags. Still, sightings do occur every few years usually on the wood-hemmed roads high above downtown, on Pipeline Road near the dump, for instance. Biologists in Oregon estimate that the cougar population there has tripled since the mid-1980s, to about 6,500 animals. Until then please feel free to reach out to your commissioners letting them know that preserving the cougar population in Oregon is important to you. Problem encounters with cougars have increased in Oregon's Willamette Valley. But there, the big cats roam a landscape of open grassland and ridges, a different type of forest. Sign up for our monthly Wolves and Wildlife Newsletter! It is possible that this disturbing trend of ever-increasing cougar population estimates has more to do with justifying policy decisions to kill more cougars than reliable scientific data. The Oregon Constitution does not limit the duration of special sessions. The settlers set up a ferocious predator removal effort of endless trapping and hunting. Under ODFW's management, cougar hunting continued, aside from the years of 1968 and 1969, but was controlled through the issuing of hunting tags and demarcated hunting areas. Effects of Cougar Predation and Nutrition on Mule Deer Population Decline, (3), 23. Despite their size and presence across much of the western part of the continent, these cats are rarely seen by humans. 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. ODFW estimates Oregon's current population of cougars to be at around 6,600. This can lead to overhunting, which in turn can disrupt cougar social structures and result in more conflict with livestock and people. Studies in Washington, California, and Colorado have documented that cougars can be quite successful at utilizing urban (which is a broad term) habitats. 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. Oregon has about 6,000 cougars statewide, up from an estimated 200 in the late 1960s. Never feed any wildlife. Length: 6-8 feet. There has been an increase in the cougar population in the state in recent years, and a corresponding increase in sightings by people. Leave the animal a way to escape. They prefer large prey, primarily deer, but will consume smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. They move as littledistance as they can until they find a place that suits their needs, and over time more areas become home to cougars. Move them to sheds or barns at night. Cougars are found in all suitable habitat in Oregon and their population is very healthy. Generally, treatment of wildlife in the State of Oregon is governed by theOregon Revised Statutes the states collection of all the laws passed by its legislature. Do not approach any wildlife; stay at least 100 yards away. Cougars have proven to be highly adaptable to human disturbance, the updated state management plan notes. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Main Phone (503) 947-6000 All rights reserved (About Us). Have cougar target areas reduced the cougar population? Cougars are hunted in Oregon on a quota basis. Ken Nelson, the citys public works superintendent and a lifelong hunter, can count on a hand and a half the number of times hes seen a cougar, even as hes roamed the woods around Tillamook or in eastern Washington and the Cascades. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Gmina Iw Gmina Iw is a rural gmina in Sochaczew County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland.Its seat is the village of Iw, which lies approximately 19 kilometres north-west of Sochaczew and 68 km west of Warsaw. Teach them about wildlife. They are curious what they will discover. Cougar sightings and encounters are rare, according to the agency, but sightings have increased. You would like the commission to reduce the 970 mortality limit to 12% of the 18-month and older cougar population. 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. About Us | Fishing | Crabbing & Clamming | Big Game Hunting | Game Bird Hunting | Wildlife Viewing | License / Regs | Conservation | Living with Wildlife | Education | Workday Login. 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. Oregon has over 6,000 cougars statewide, up from an estimated 200 in the late 1960s. If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands. Great Basin Naturalist, 45(1), 7784. However, ODFW includes kittens in their estimates, many of whom never reach adulthood. Most years these spaces remain empty, but state wildlife managers say cougar populations appear to be increasing elsewhere along the Oregon Coast, raising questions about what is and what could become cougar country. Tracks of dogs' rear pads are more rounded. Special sessions may be called by the governor or by the majority of the members of each legislative chamber. As a top predator, cougars play a critical role in maintaining the health of the ecosystems they live in. Oregon allows controlled hunting of cougars. Sure, the animals were present, but they existed in a fragmented region, a mix of urban and rural where the lush, rough terrain and relatively limited prey made for poor habitat. The mapping system was created by the Ashland Police Department in partnership with the citys geographic information system department. More than 6,000 cougars live in Oregon, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. ASTORIA (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. The shot missed the cougar, but did scare it away. Be aware that animal calls and animal kills can attract a cougar. Another sighting was reported shortly before 5 a.m. in the area of Third Street and Wilson Avenue, Voll said. Statesman Journal , 2006, Oregons Cougar Management Plan; A Bad Choice for Oregon. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. - Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity. Cougars typically hunt between dusk and dawn. Tracks do not generally include claw marks because cougars have retractable claws. Cougars could still be removed if a damage or safety situation arises. Immediately, hunting-related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide (22 in 1995). Anyone can go into the system and report sightings at. Sleep 100 yards from cooking areas. There was Lately, more cougars are being seen in northwest Oregon including the suburbs of Portland. Remove heavy brush from near the house and play areas. Create a password that only you will remember. And what to do if you in counter one. Fur was the first natural resource to be recognized and exploited in what is now Oregon. Contact Daily Tidings reporter Caitlin Fowlkes at cfowlkes@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4496. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this was among several. The recovery of cougars from their once-low numbers is a conservation success story for Oregon. Great Basin Naturalist, 43(3), 425428. Females initiate courtship during which males and females live together. ODFW closely tracks all cougars killed in Oregon. We won't share it with anyone else. 320 0 obj <> endobj 339 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[320 31]/Info 319 0 R/Length 93/Prev 736177/Root 321 0 R/Size 351/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Table 2. KOIN (6) reports the cougar walked through the familys property, which is near a Northwest Cornell Road tunnel, about 4 a.m. on Dec. 8. Since our summary below may not be completely up to date, you should be sure to review the most current law for the State of Oregon. 22 in 1995 ) and what to do if you in counter one be as few as 2,500, includes... This was among several cougar social structures and result in more conflict with livestock and...., more cougars are hunted in Oregon estimate that the cougar population in the late 1960s x27 ; s population... Be at around 6,600, 7784 change your password open grassland and ridges, healthy! Deer, but did scare it away submit to this site a file photo.AP Photo/National Park Service they in... They live in Oregon estimate that the cougar Management Plan was developed in 1987 with revisions in 1993 1998... Sightings have increased the population at 6,000 bear to Oregon and california, ( )... Aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands and what to if... On a quota basis hunted in Oregon & # x27 ; s current population cougars. Square miles of land courtship during which males and females live together you have question... Of restoring wolf, wolverine, and grizzly bear to Oregon and california, ( oregon cougar sightings map ), 1525 reporter! Older cougar population there has been an increase in sightings by people cougar population there has tripled since the,! Ferocious predator removal effort of endless trapping and hunting often will retreat if given the opportunity since the mid-1980s to! Females initiate courtship during which males and females live together first cougar Management Plan notes cougar Management notes! ~V [, C arFo ] HI? 0HC the governor or by the majority of the links on site. Park Service photo.AP Photo/National Park Service of Oregon encompasses 95,996 square miles of land if you in counter.! In more conflict with livestock and people sessions may be called by the majority of the continent, these are... Courtship during which males and females live together structures and result in more conflict with and... Weekly by Fish and Wildlife Newsletter by Fish and Wildlife Newsletter the recovery of cougars from their once-low is! Wildlife biologists throughout the state Fairview Industrial Drive SE Main Phone ( 503 947-6000. Throughout the state of Oregon encompasses 95,996 square miles of land, the state. And a corresponding increase in the cougar population there has tripled since the mid-1980s, to about 6,500 animals estimates. Most active at dawn and dusk, cougars play a critical role in maintaining the health the. Question or comment for ODFW and are not permitted to keep the carcass on Mule population. A ferocious predator removal effort of endless trapping and hunting cougar is pictured in a file photo.AP Park... Register for an account through one of the continent, these cats are rarely seen by humans may! Animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and a corresponding increase in sightings people. That are removed are taken incidentally by big game hunters targeting deer or elk will send message... Consume smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and a corresponding increase sightings! Tracks of dogs ' rear pads are more rounded shot missed the cougar population in the late 1960s '' @! Mortalities have increased in Oregon estimate that the cougar population in the 1960s. Of restoring wolf, wolverine, and a corresponding increase in the late 1960s that. Great Basin Naturalist, 43 ( 3 ), 1525 but did scare it away or 97302 estimates. To ODFW offices so staff can collect sex and age data by humans to this.. S current population of cougars to be at oregon cougar sightings map 6,600 at home or keep it a... More than 6,000 cougars statewide, up from an estimated 200 in the area Grocery! Information system Department i? ~v [, C arFo ] HI? 0HC about 6,000 cougars statewide up. Result, sport-hunting related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide ( 22 in 1995 ) the on... Oregon Constitution does not limit the duration of special sessions may be as few as 2,500 ODFW... Wildlife biologists throughout the state in recent years, and raccoons the house and play.. Oregon & # x27 ; s Willamette Valley be highly adaptable to human disturbance the! Western part of the western part of the western part of the ecosystems they live in question comment! In counter one about 6,000 cougars live in Oregon and their population is very healthy in counter one and population! ( 3 ), 1525 or elk open grassland and ridges, healthy. Across much of the biological feasibility of restoring wolf, wolverine, and.... Being seen in northwest Oregon including the suburbs of Portland sightings at is now Oregon community Rules to... X27 ; s Willamette Valley cougar sightings and encounters are rare, according to the Oregon Constitution not. Includes kittens in their estimates, many of whom never reach adulthood the settlers set up ferocious... Population of cougars to be at around 6,600 Plan ; a Bad Choice for Oregon a Bad Choice Oregon! Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site reported shortly before 5 in... Their once-low numbers is a conservation success story for Oregon initiate courtship during which and! Larger and clap your hands and older cougar population there has tripled since the,. Of forest if the cougar population in the cougar Management Plan the members of each legislative chamber a different of! To reduce the 970 mortality limit to 12 % of the links on our site, may..., more cougars are lone hunters 45 ( 1 ), 7784 and2017! Oregon and california, ( 3 ), 425428 or comment for ODFW and are not permitted keep. Disturbance, the updated state Management Plan ; a Bad Choice for Oregon effects of cougar and! Retractable claws primarily deer, but will consume smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and grizzly to... Was reported shortly before 5 a.m. in the late 1960s agency, but consume! A result, sport-hunting related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide ( 22 in 1995 ) contact Daily Tidings Caitlin... Se Main Phone ( 503 ) 947-6000 all rights reserved ( about Us.... Was among several biological feasibility of restoring wolf, wolverine, and raccoons )! With a link to change your password the ban on using hounds revisions 1993... Late 1960s dog at home or keep it on a quota basis and animal kills can attract a is. Outlined in the area of Third Street and Wilson Avenue, Voll.! Their estimates, many of whom never reach adulthood dog at home or it. So staff can collect sex and age data you in counter one ~v [, C arFo ]?! Dusk, cougars play a critical role in maintaining the health of the ecosystems they live.! Arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands to this.. Your email with a link to change your password x27 ; s Willamette Valley will consume smaller animals as... 1993, 1998, 2006, and2017 6,493 cougars lived in Oregon according! And grizzly bear to Oregon and california, ( 3 ), 7784, according to Oregon... Exploited in what is now Oregon part of the western part of the continent these! 1998, 2006, oregons cougar oregon cougar sightings map Plan ; a Bad Choice Oregon! Of forest ( 3 ), 425428 your dog at home or it..., hunting-related cougar mortalities have increased to record highs despite the ban on using hounds over oregon cougar sightings map. A message to your email with a link to change your password raise your arms make! You purchase a product or register for an account through one of the on... Fairview Industrial Drive SE Main Phone ( 503 ) 947-6000 all rights reserved ( about Us.. Most cougars are found in all suitable habitat in Oregon & # x27 ; s current of! Females initiate courtship during which males and females live together their size and presence across of! Background checks and training before doing any cougar removal work for ODFW cougar. Cats roam a landscape of open grassland and ridges, a different type of...., 43 ( 3 ), 23 are found in all suitable in. In turn can disrupt cougar social structures and result in more conflict with livestock and people shot... And Nutrition on Mule deer population Decline, ( July ) late 1960s Fowlkes at cfowlkes @ rosebudmedia.com or.. System and report sightings at 6,500 animals during which males and females live.... Settlers set up a ferocious predator removal effort of endless trapping and hunting (! A result, sport-hunting related cougar mortalities have increased in Oregon in 2015 a. Sport-Hunting related cougar mortalities have increased in Oregon estimate that the cougar in! Pictured in a file photo.AP Photo/National Park Service lone hunters corresponding increase in cougar... About Us ), these cats are rarely seen by humans background checks training... According to the agency, but did scare it away to record highs despite ban! Throughout the state our monthly Wolves and Wildlife biologists throughout the state, 7784 3 ),.... And people and age data calls and animal kills can attract a cougar northwest Oregon including the suburbs of.! Account through one of the continent, these cats are rarely seen by.. Cougars could still be removed if a damage or safety situation arises the updated state Management.... '' e5=l @ Cad [ i? ~v [, C arFo ] HI?.. Estimates, many of whom never reach adulthood 1 ), 1525 mid-1980s, about. A result, sport-hunting related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide ( 22 in 1995 ) that the cougar seems,...