Camp Sherman group discuss cougars

Clair Kunkel (left) discusses cougars with Lee Farm. photo by Conrad Weiler

Heightened local interest in cougars brought Clair Kunkel as guest speaker to the Saturday, February 28, Cabin Fever Potluck at Camp Sherman's community hall.

Kunkel, who is a manager with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) stationed in Bend, reported two recent cougars trapped by officials in the Sisters country, plus a third killed by a hunter on Green Ridge.

"You're living in a wildlife refuge," Kunkel told his audience, "and what is attractive habitat to wildlife also attracts cougars. The main food sources for cougars are deer and elk."

There are six cougar zones in Oregon and the Metolius Basin area is considered "medium" regarding cougar populations.

A dominant male cougar can cover 50-100 square miles for these territorial animals, according to Kunkel. There may be more than one female in the male's territory.

Females range in size from 60 to 105 pounds and males from 120 to 160 pounds.

"Male cougars as large as 180 to 200 pounds have occasionally been taken," said Kunkel.

Cougars have a distinctive kill method and it is important to preserve evidence to confirm cougar kills.

"They tend to grab onto the back of their prey's skull and puncture it for the kill," Kunkel said. "Another method is to grab the front of their prey and cover the snout with their jaws causing suffocation.

"A 50-pound cougar has been known to kill a 250-pound elk in this manner and a 70-75-pound (cat) can kill a 300-pound elk cow. Also, cougars, after partially eating their prey, tend to bury the dead remains under snow, leaves, or dirt, in order to come back for more food later on."

ODFW has been under fire from two sides, one wanting the captured cougars moved out of the area and released, the other wanting faster action in trapping and killing cougars. ODFW, by law, operates under rules laid down by the seven-citizen Fish and Wildlife Commission and their Cougar Management Plan.

Because of their territoriality, relocated cougars often make their way back to a familiar area, according to ODFW. In populated areas the liability exposure is too high and cougars that are captured are generally killed.

There are about 5,000 to 6,000 cougars in Oregon today. In 1960, populations had dwindled to about 200 cougars, causing the Oregon Game Commission to list cougars as protected animals. No hunting was allowed for these game animals for two years and slowly their population numbers have increased.

Estimates are that the cougar population in Oregon will peak in 2010 at about 8,500 animals.

During the 1990s, Oregon voters prohibited use of hounds in cougar hunts by passing Measure 18. The secretive animals are difficult to hunt and capture or kill and they are very seldom seen.

In order to reduce cougar risks, Kunkel suggests not feeding deer or other wildlife whose presence may attract cougars. Klamath Falls and Sunriver communities have enacted laws prohibiting feeding deer within their municipal limits.