As the boundaries between rural and urban areas shrink, encounters and
conflicts with wildlife become more common. Forest-dwelling communities
know this particularly well. It’s a natural assumption that many wildlife
species move in and around those communities, some more welcome than
others.

Native to Oregon, cougars range throughout the state and the highest
densities occur in the Blue Mountains in northeast Oregon and in the
southwestern Cascade Mountains. Their primary food source is deer, but they
will also consume elk, raccoons, beaver and other mammals and birds.
The number of cougar complaints in the Mount Hood area received by the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) this year is on track to be
well below average. While there is no recently documented increase in cougar
populations around Mount Hood, it’s important to consider the factors that
may contribute to the perception of more of these big cats in the area.

Over the last several years the use of trail cameras and home security
cameras has increased. With eyes and ears open 24/7, these camera systems
catch critters that would otherwise go undetected. The animals appearing on a
doorbell camera have likely been around for quite a while, only now having
their cover blown.

Seeing a cougar around your home can be unsettling if you weren’t aware of
their presence before. However, sighting a cougar is not necessarily a cause
for alarm and the good news is there are steps to help humans and wildlife
coexist peacefully in spaces we share:

– Learn your neighborhood. Be aware of any wildlife corridors or places where
deer or elk concentrate.
– Walk pets during the day and keep them on a leash.
– Shelter pets and livestock indoors at night.
– Feed pets indoors.
– Don’t feed wildlife. Don't leave food and garbage outside.
– Use animal-proof garbage cans if necessary.
– Remove heavy brush from near the house and play areas.
– Install motion-activated lights along walkways and livestock/poultry
enclosures.
– Be more cautious at dawn, dusk and nighttime when cougars are most
active.
– Deer-proof your garden and yard with lights and fencing.
If you encounter a cougar, make yourself look big, spread your arms and
make lots of noise. Cougars will often retreat if given the opportunity, so
leave them a way to escape. Above all, don’t run. In the extremely unlikely
event that you’re attacked, fight back and protect the back of your head and
neck.

Following these precautions and staying alert outdoors can make our
communities safer for humans and for wildlife.

Cougar concerns can be reported to your local ODFW office in Clackamas at
971-673-6000 during regular business hours or the Oregon State Police after
regular business hours and for emergencies. For more information on living
with cougars visit

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/cougars.asp.

Beth Quillian is a public information officer with the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife.