Cougar

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Hunting Cougars with Dogs
Sen. Jim Hargrove said, “ If you see a cougar, it’s probably because you’re his game”(Cougar Tales). Ever since voters banned hunting cougars with dogs in 1994, since the passing of Measure 18 the number of cougars taken on damage and human safety complaints has increased. Also since the ban, cougars are starting to work their way into towns and into human contact. Undoubtedly, the cougar population has risen because of the ban of the use of dogs.
Since the ban of hunting cougars was passed in 1994, the cougar population has been growing fast, showing up in places where they didn’t before. They have been known to take domestic animals and stalk joggers and bikers on trails. On the trails that lead down from four corners right here in Ashland, Ryker Thorton, a friend of mine, had a cougar jump out in front of him as he road his bike down the trails. Even though he wasn’t attacked he said “being that close to a cougar unexpectedly is a scary especially without any protection.” During hunting season this year, Colon Brown was hunting deer up by Pilot Rock, when he found himself eighteen steps away from a cougar that had been stalking him. He heard a stick break and turned to see a cougar crouched down like it was ready to attack; he pulled out his pistol killing the cougar. The other story that hit the news that we all were able to hear about, was the resent mauling of Anne Hjelle. While riding with her friend Debi Nicholls in Orange County’s Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Hjelle was attacked. Nicholls had Hjelle by the feet as the cougar tried to drag her into the brush by her head and the other rescues threw rocks at the cougar. Police lead a search that lead to the killing of a two-year-old 110-pound cougar, and the discovery of another body that was found dead and partially buried fifty yards away from were the cougar was killed (Outside Magazine). The body was later determine...