Cougars, also known as mountain lions, pumas, panthers, painters and catamounts, are solitary animals that are proving to be very adaptable. Cougar populations are healthy and increasing in Oregon.

Unlike bears, cougars are not scavengers and will avoid eating spoiled meat. As a result, the big cats must depend more on regular hunting. Cougars prey mainly on deer but they will also take elk, small mammals and surprisingly, porcupines.

Cougars live in most of the forested parts of Oregon. These large predators have lived here for thousands of years, preying mostly on deer and elk and playing an important role in the ecosystem.

You probably live and/or recreate in areas where cougars live. Incidents of cougar predation on livestock, pets and even attacks on people have been well publicized. With an understanding of cougar behavior and by taking some basic precautions, we can minimize conflicts with these magnificent animals.

You can help educate others about cougars. Share this information with friends and neighbors.

Cougar Status

The legal status of the cougar, also sometimes called mountain lion or puma, has evolved through several stages since Oregon was first settled by immigrants.

Early pioneers saw these animals as a threat, and rewards or bounties were paid for cougars beginning in 1843. By the 1960's, cougars were eliminated from much of the state, and it is estimated that only about 200 cougars remained in all of Oregon.

The Oregon legislature repealed the State bounty system in 1961, and in 1967 changed the status of cougars to a "game mammal" regulated by ODFW. Through protection from excessive persecution, cougar populations began to increase to the present population estimated at roughly 3800 animals.

Cougar hunting has been used to manage populations to minimize depredation on domestic animals and to minimize human safety problems. From 1967 until 1994 all hunting was by controlled hunt permits with very conservative permit numbers. In 1994 the use of hounds to hunt cougar was prohibited. Since 1994 a general season was established for cougar with a quota set as a maximum allowable harvest. Without the use of hounds, hunters have not come near to harvesting the allowable quota. Damage problems and safety concerns have increased dramatically in recent years.

Physical Appearance

The cougar's scientific name, Felis concolor, means cat of one color. They usually appear uniform in color and vary from tawny to cinnamon or dark brown. Adult males are generally about seven feet long from nose to end of tail, and average about 130 pounds. Adult females are approximately six feet long and average about 90 pounds.

They have a long, black tipped tail which measures approximately one-third of their total length. This long tail makes it easy to distinguish a young cougar from a bobcat. The bobcat, Oregon's only other native wild cat, is smaller than an adult cougar, and has a tail that is only a few inches long.

Tracks and Signs

In an unhurried walk, cougars usually place the hind paw in the imprint made by the front paw. They have four toes with three distinct lobes present at the base of the heel pad. An average sized cougar makes a track about 3-1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long. Generally, claw marks are not visible because their claws are retractable.

The cougar is a solitary animal. Adult males almost always travel alone. If tracks indicate two or more cougars traveling together, it is probably a female with kittens.

Cougar feces is often covered by soil, leaves and other debris that is scraped from an area of about three feet in diameter. Cougars also create smaller scrapes, often with urine on them, to mark their territories. They also leave claw marks on trees. All these marks signal to other cougars that this area is occupied.

Cougars are usually silent, but have calls similar to an ordinary tomcat, but much magnified. They have a shrill, piercing whistle, scream ( a blood-curdling mating call), hiss and growl.

Habitat

Cougars occupy nearly all of Oregon. Highest densities occur in forested areas and/or forested rimrock, but they also exist in lower densities in open sagebrush habitat. Generally they concentrate where prey species are most abundant. In recent years, as cougar populations have grown, young cougars have been establishing territories in agricultural areas and in close proximity to residential areas.

Cougars wander far and wide. An adult male's home range often exceeds 100 square miles. Females range over smaller areas, up to 65 square miles. Size of the home range depends on the terrain and how much food is available.

Hunting and Feeding Habits

Cougars are most active from dusk to dawn, although they sometimes also travel and hunt in daylight. Cougars prefer to eat deer; however, they also may hunt and eat elk, porcupines, small mammals, and occasionally livestock or pets.

Cougars take their prey by ambush rather than by long pursuit. They stalk, using available cover, then attack with a rush, often from behind. The kill is usually made by a bite to the neck or back of the skull. The carcass is generally dragged to the cover of nearby trees or brush before feeding. After feeding, cougars usually cover up any remains with soil, leaves and sticks. With larger prey, cougars often remain in the vicinity and continue to feed on the carcass for a few days. Generally, the carcass is moved and re-covered after each feeding.

Mating and Breeding

Female cougars become sexually mature when they are about 2-1/2 years old. A female in heat makes frequent sounds and leaves scent that attracts males. After a male is attracted, the pair are together for up to three days and will breed several times.

Breeding can take place throughout the year, but most females give birth between April and July, following a 3-month gestation period.

Birth to Maturity

The female gives birth to an average of 2 to 3 young, called kittens. She usually chooses a secluded spot beneath an uprooted tree or a rocky depression. Care of the kittens rests solely with the female. She defends them aggressively against male cougars, which may kill them.

Newborn kittens are about 1 foot long and weigh about 1 pound. They are covered with blackish-brown spots and have dark rings around their short tails. The young stir only to nurse until they are about 2 weeks old, when their eyes open and they become alert and playful. Weaning occurs at about 2 months.

Kittens learn hunting skills through play and exploration, and by watching their mother. When the young are about 6 weeks old, she begins taking them to her kills to feed.

As the kittens mature, their spots fade. At 6 months, they weigh over 30 pounds and are becoming capable hunters. Kittens remain with their mother for another year, improving hunting skills.

Living with Cougars

The number of cougar encounters is increasing in Oregon, because both the cougar population and human population are increasing in number and distribution. More people are using hiking and running trails in cougar habitat, and there is a greater awareness of the presence of cougars. Cougars have proven to be very adaptable and, in many areas, are living in close proximity to people.

Cougars are generally quiet and elusive. They usually do very well in avoiding people. They are curious and may occasionally, as house cats often do, observe people and activity from nearby hiding cover, or even follow people. As cougars become more accustomed to people, some cougars are becoming bolder and allowing themselves to be seen more often.

If you live where there are cougars, the following simple precautions can help you avoid problems:

• Avoid feeding wildlife, especially deer, which can attract cougars when concentrated.
• Keep your pets under control. Roaming pets are easy prey. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pets outside, keep them in a kennel with a secure top.
• Keep livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night when possible, especially when a cougar is known to be in the area. Close doors to all outbuildings, since inquisitive cougars may go inside for a look.
• Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times cougars are most active--dusk to dawn.
• Install outside lighting, especially in areas where you walk, so you can see a cougar if one is present.
• Remove dense brush that would provide hiding places for cougars near your house, especially around play areas or livestock pens. Make it difficult for cougars to approach unseen.
• Build a woven wire or chain link type fence around play areas. Cougars can jump most fences, but fencing can interfere with cougar's ambush style of hunting.
• Supervise children when they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about cougars and teach them what to do if they meet one.

Remember, cougars have huge home ranges. One reason for this is that prey animals that know a cougar is in the area become very wary and difficult to catch. Cougars are always on the move so that they can hunt unsuspecting prey. If you become aware of a cougar in your area, chances are that within a few days it will move on and be miles away.

Close Encounters

People rarely get more than a brief glimpse of a cougar in the wild. Cougar attacks on people are rare. Since every attack situation is different with respect to the cougar, terrain, the people and their activity; patterns of attack behavior and response are difficult to identify. With this in mind, the following suggestions may be helpful:

• When you walk or hike in cougar country, go in groups and make plenty of noise so that you don't accidentally surprise a cougar. A sturdy walking stick is probably a good idea--it can be used to ward off a cougar. Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. Talk with children about cougars and teach them what to do if they meet one.
• Do not approach a cougar, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most cougars will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Do not run from a cougar, since running away may stimulate the instinct to chase. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run. Back slowly away until you can leave the area.
• Maintain eye contact with the cougar. Do all you can to appear larger. Flair your jacket, stand up straight, wave your arms. Do not crouch down or bend over, since this may appear to simulate prey. Speak firmly in a loud voice. You want to convince the cougar that you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to it.
• If the cougar behaves aggressively, throw binoculars, your lunch, or anything else you have available, at the cat. Pepper mace spray is also a possibility for discouragement.
• In the unlikely event that the cougar attacks, fight back. Use your walking stick, rocks, or fists to strike the cougar. Many attack victims have successfully fought off the attacking cougar.

Keep in mind that although cougars can be dangerous to people, more people are killed by deer, bees, dogs and spiders than by cougars. Statistically you are much more at risk of getting hurt in a car accident by driving to the mountains (or grocery store) than by being attacked by a cougar in the mountains.

Depredation Problems

Provisions in the law allow landowners to kill cougars that have killed, or are in the act of attacking, pets or livestock. Landowners are limited to their own property for damage control actions. Preventative control where there is not an immediate threat, is not allowed. Help is available (in most counties) to control livestock depredation through the U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) Wildlife Services (WS) program. Although WS does not do preventative control, they can help to minimize losses through efficient removal of animals that become livestock killers. Remains of kills should be left undisturbed in order to provide WS the best chance of taking the deprecating cougar. Call ODFW for more information about the WS program or about the laws regulating take of cougars.

Report All Problems

It is important that problems and encounters with cougars are reported to your nearest ODFW office. This information is needed to determine how much of a risk individual cougars pose to people, pets and livestock, and what the most appropriate response should be. For urgent problems outside of business hours (i.e. Monday through Friday 8 am - 12 pm/1 pm - 5 pm), contact the Oregon State Police or Sheriff's Department.