Cougars are an Oregon success story. After being nearly eliminated by the mid-1960s, today they have a healthy population. The current cougar population in Oregon is estimated to be more than 6,400 as of April 2017.
As both the cougar and human populations have grown, so have the number of conflicts and damage complaints. This management plan is designed to address the conflicts between the growing numbers of cougars and humans.
ODFW works within the framework of the law. Oregonians have twice said through initiative petition that hounds may not be used to sport hunt cougars. This plan abides by that determination.
However, existing law does allow federal and state employees to use the full range of management tools, including hounds and snares but not including poison, to deal with cougars that are causing human, pet or livestock conflicts. ODFW will continue to respond to safety and damage complaints. Problem cougars that pose a risk to humans, pets or livestock will be humanely euthanized.
This plan follows the same prescription as other management plans by incorporating specific actions to deal with conflict while maintaining recreational – hunting and viewing – opportunities.
As is the case with all similar wildlife management plans, the costs of cougar management are funded by the sales of hunting licenses and tags.
2017 Cougar Management Plan (pdf)
Oregon is cougar country: Tips on living safely with cougars
Cougar Information presented to Oregon State Legislative Committee March 2015 (pdfs)
Past Oregon Cougar Plans and Reports (pdfs)
|
