ATTENTION LANDOWNERS: Oregon law allows landowners to kill a cougar that is damaging livestock or property. If you experience cougar damage, call your local ODFW office.
Are mountain lions protected in Oregon?
Mountain Lions in the State of Oregon. In 1994, Oregon voters approved Measure 18, which banned the use of hounds to hunt cougars. Immediately, hunting-related cougar mortalities declined dramatically statewide (22 in 1995).
Can you hunt mountain lions in Oregon?
Techniques: Hunting is open statewide under a general season all year, or until zone quotas are met. Most cougars in Oregon are taken while hunters are out pursuing other species like deer and elk. Hunters targeting cougar often use predator calls and tracking in snow to find them.
What to do if there’s a cougar in your yard?
Make noise by yelling, blowing a whistle or an air horn. If you have an umbrella, quickly open and close it while facing the cougar. Do not approach the cougar. Give it ample space to run away – don’t corner it.
Can you spotlight cougars in Oregon?
Neither landowners nor their agents need a permit from ODFW to spotlight predatory animals (as defined in ORS 610.002) on land they own or lawfully occupy. ODA has authority to define “agent” for purposes of the predatory animal statute. Written documentation is not required.
Why are there so many cougars in Oregon?
One of the big reasons Oregon’s number is so much higher than its neighbors’: Oregon’s estimate includes kittens, which rarely survive to adulthood. Oregon does not count the juveniles of any other game species, like elk or bighorn sheep. Two juvenile cougars hide on a fence to avoid territorial coyotes in Wyoming.
Where are the most cougars in Oregon?
Native to Oregon, cougars range throughout the state, the highest densities occur in the Blue Mountains in the northeastern part of the state and in the southwestern Cascade Mountains . Their primarily food source is deer, but they will also consume elk, raccoons, bighorn sheep, and other mammals and birds.
When can you hunt cougars in Oregon?
The Season is Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 or until Hunt Zone Quotas have been met, whichever occurs first. Entire state is open.
Can you bait cougars in Oregon?
The only big game you can’t use bait for is bears. Cougar baiting is legal.
Can you get a cougar tag in Oregon?
Cougar tags must be purchased by the deadline which is usually the day before Western Oregon general rifle deer season begins. An additional tag may be purchased throughout the season; however, hunters must purchase the general season tag prior to the deadline to be eligible for the additional tag.
What do you do if a mountain lion is stalking you?
If the cougar scoots off, then get out of the area quickly. If it follows you or acts aggressively, don’t back down: be loud, bare your teeth, and maintain eye contact. Keep making yourself as large as possible, and start thinking about what potential weapons you might be able to use—a walking stick is a good option.
Can a dog protect you from a mountain lion?
Mountain lions have been known to jump 15 feet vertically. Trained livestock-specific guard dogs are also said to scare off mountain lions.
Why do cougars scream at night?
While it may seem like an intimidating sound, mountain lions aren’t actually screaming to try and scare you. Instead, screaming is a part of their mating rituals. Because mountain lions rarely share territories and thus live so spread out, it can be difficult to tell when a female has gone into heat.
Can I shoot a bobcat on my property in Oregon?
Contact ODFW for hunting regulations. If people, livestock, or pets are in imminent danger from a predator, the predator can be shot without a permit at any time. If a bobcat, fox, cougar, or bear is taken under these circumstances, the incident must be reported to ODFW or the Oregon State Police immediately.
Can you hunt on your own land without a license in Oregon?
Landowner Specific Rules and Regulations
A resident does not need a license to hunt on land upon which the person resides and is owned by the person or a member of the person’s immediate family, unless they are hunting for a species for which a tag is required or are applying for big game tags.
Can I shoot coyotes on my property in Oregon?
According to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, it is legal to hunt and kill coyotes year-round with an appropriate furtaker’s license. Seasonal licenses are required only for fox, bobcat, marten, mink, otter, raccoon and beaver hunters.
What time of day are cougars most active?
dusk and dawn
Most active at dusk and dawn, cougar can roam and hunt throughout the day or night in all seasons. They have ranges up to 300 sq km and may roam up to 80 km in a single day. During late spring and summer, one to two year old cougar become independent of their mothers.
How big do cougars get in Oregon?
Length: 6-8 feet. | Weight: Males 140-200 lbs.; females 75-100 lbs. Occupy a wide variety of biomes, but require habitat with large prey and cover for hunting.
Are there grizzly bears in Oregon?
A. There are no grizzly bears in Oregon so if you see a brown bear in Oregon, it is a black bear. Grizzly bears are being recovered in Washington State in the North Cascades. Grizzly bears have a distinctive shoulder hump.
How many cougar attacks have there been in Oregon?
Verification: According to historical records from the California Dept. of Fish and Game between 1900 and 1990 (when cougar hunting was banned) only 4 fatal attacks occurred and 3 non-fatal attacks. Since 1990 10 non-fatal attacks and 3 fatal attacks have occurred.
What big cats are in Oregon?
There are two species of felids in central Oregon, the cougar, and the bobcat. Both of these carnivores occupy a wide range of habitats, from the high Cascades, to the desert canyons. The cougar, Oregon’s largest felid, is a shy, solitary, seldom seen cat, who occupies a large home range, and may hunt 5-6 miles a day.