HELP STOP SLAUGHTER OF OREGON’S COUGARS
New Bill Would Roll Back Voter Approved Ban on Hounding of Cougars

Last year, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) unveiled a plan to kill many of the state’s cougars. Despite strong opposition to the Department’s plan, the ODFW has moved forward with implementing the lethal control program. According to the Associated Press last week, “A state wildlife agent trapped and shot two young cougars in Jackson County, the first of two dozen to be killed in that part of the state in a study of whether reducing populations of the animals improves public safety and reduces the loss of livestock. Nine cougars have already been killed in north-central Oregon as part of the study, state figures show.” Tragically, the ODFW intends to significantly reduce Oregon’s cougar population because it claims the animals present a growing menace. To make matters worse, opponents of the 1994 ban on hound hunting of cougars have introduced legislation (HB 2971) that would permit the ODFW to deputize sport hunters to kill cougars. The bill would allow these “agents” to use hounds for hunting cougars – essentially rolling back the voter approved ban.

Contrary to the ODFW’s claims, cougars are not a threat to public safety. There has never been a verified cougar attack on humans in Oregon. Because attacks are so rare (the odds of being attacked by a cougar are less than winning the lottery), it is misguided to use lethal control that science shows is ineffective. And nothing in the plan would prevent an attack. According to cougar expert, Dr. Rich Hopkins, the agency’s plan “would not reduce the risk of being attacked in Oregon, as the current risk is so small as not to be reasonably measured. Those who live or recreate in cougar country expose themselves daily to many more risky activities and yet they never consider nor concern themselves with the true risk these activities pose.” The ODFW’s continued emphasis on killing cougars as a “management” tool will divert resources away from techniques that are far more effective in reducing conflicts between cougars and humans, such as appropriate land-use planning, improved animal husbandry, and comprehensive public education. Oregonians can take steps, like avoiding feeding wildlife, bringing pets in at night, sheltering domestic farm and ranch animals, installing motion lighting around homes and animal enclosures, recreating with others while in cougar country, and educating their families about cougars – without instilling undue fear – to avoid conflicts with the wild cats.


WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP STOP THE SLAUGHTER

1.) WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF YOUR LOCAL PAPER CONDEMNING THE ODFW’S PLAN. See sample letter to editor and talking points below. Be sure to add your own personal touches to the letter so that it does not appear to be a form letter. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 250-300 words. If your letter is published in your local newspaper, please forward a copy of it to Brian Vincent, Big Wildlife, at: big_wildlife@shaw.ca

2.) URGE YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR TO OPPOSE HB2971. Tell them HB2971 would permit the ODFW to hire contract cougar killers, essentially giving sport hunters even more opportunities to gun down big cats. The ODFW plan is fatally flawed. Deputizing hunters to do the dirty business of killing cougars won’t make the plan any better. To find out how to reach your legislator, go to: www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

3.) FORWARD THIS ALERT TO OTHER OREGONIANS WHO CARE ABOUT COUGARS


TALKING POINTS FOR LETTER TO EDITOR AND LETTER TO YOUR LEGISLATOR
*Cougars present no threat. There has never been a verified cougar attack in Oregon and the plan would do nothing to prevent an attack. The odds of being attacked by a cougar are less than winning the lottery.

*The ODFW plan is ineffective. According to cougar expert, Dr. Rich Hopkins, the ODFW’s plan “would not reduce the risk of being attacked in Oregon, as the current risk is so small as not to be reasonably measured.”

*The ODFW’s continued emphasis on killing cougars as a “management” tool will divert resources away from techniques that are far more effective in reducing conflicts between cougars and humans, such as appropriate land-use planning, improved animal husbandry, and comprehensive public education. People can take simple steps, like avoiding feeding wildlife, bringing pets in at night, sheltering domestic farm and ranch animals, installing motion or timer-activated lighting around homes and animal enclosures, recreating with others while in cougar country, and educating their families about cougars – without instilling undue fear – to avoid conflicts with cougars.

*HB291 would permit the ODFW to hire sport hunters as contract cougar killers. These “agents” would be allowed to use hounds to chase down and kill cougars, essentially rolling back the ban on hound hunting of the big cats. The ODFW plan is fatally flawed and deputizing sport hunters to do the dirty business of killing cougars won’t make the plan any better.

*As Oregonians we are blessed to live in a state where cougars still roam.

CO-EXISTING WITH MOUNTAIN LIONS SAMPLE LETTER-TO-EDITOR

Dear Editor:

Oregon’s premier wildlife species, the cougar, is once again in the crosshairs. In 1994, Oregonians overwhelmingly approved Measure 18, which outlawed hound hunting of cougars. Since then, hunting interests and their allies in the legislature have repeatedly tried to roll back the hounding ban. In addition, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a plan that calls for killing thousands of cougars under the guise of “management.” The ODFW claims that killing many more cougars will keep communities safe. These policy maneuvers amount to a double-barreled attack on cougars.

Cougars are not a threat to public safety. There has never been a verified cougar attack in Oregon. Because attacks are so rare (the odds of being attacked by a cougar are less than winning the lottery), it is wasteful to use lethal control that science shows is ineffective. Besides, there are simple steps people can take to avoid conflicts with cougars.

For example, don’t feed wildlife. Predators tend to follow prey. Don’t leave pet food outside as food may attract cougars. Keep your pets indoors or secure them in a covered run. Shelter domestic farm and ranch animals. Because cougars depend on surprise to catch their prey, installing motion lighting around your home and animal enclosures may keep cougars away. Hike, bike, and run with others when you’re in cougar country. Educate your family – without instilling unnecessary fear – about cougars. Teaching children to respect and revere wildlife will help them avoid conflicts while appreciating nature. Never approach a cougar and never run from a cougar since running may trigger their instinct to chase.

We are blessed to live in a state where cougars roam. As good stewards of Oregon’s natural wonders, we can peacefully co-exist with our wild neighbors.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL


For more information, contact:

Big Wildlife U.S. office: Big Wildlife Canadian office:
PO BOX 489 5489 Larch
Williams, Oregon 97544 Vancouver, BC V6M 4C7
541-941-9242 604/618-1030; 604/876-0435
bigwildlife@gmail.com Big_Wildlife@shaw.ca