More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

When is this crap gonna end? We need to let all those in Olympia know that we are tired of this and demand a change.
I for one am sick of forking out cougar control money (last year over 1 million spent)that money sure could have been better utilized. Do we want them to continue depleting our big game herds?
To get a complete list of our legislatures, you can access it through the Hunters Right web page www.w4wc.org

Join the United Front that will make a difference in Washington.
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Cougar suspected in Prosser
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/2...30/story1.html
This story was published 1/30/2002
By Mary Hopkin Herald Valley bureau


PROSSER -- Horse Heaven Hills residents say they've seen the tracks, heard the screams and even had a glimpse of a cougar in the area.

But state Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say there isn't enough evidence to warrant sending dogs and cougar trackers out to investigate.

"If the department thinks they should wait until a child dies or livestock is killed before they do anything, then God help America," said Robert Drake Sr., a former Benton County commissioner and retired rancher.

Livestock already may have been lost, said Carl Benitz. The Prosser cattle rancher said he has lost three calves since his herd of 200 cows began calving in early January.

It's not unusual for ranchers to lose cattle to coyotes or stray dog packs in the area, Benitz said. But he said these attacks were different.

All three calves were more than a week old and were healthy. Usually dog packs and coyotes kill sick, weak animals, he said.

"One was barely alive and looked like it had been run to death -- past the point of exhaustion," he said. "And it was in perfect health the day before."

Another had a big hole gouged out of its rib cage. The third had lacerations to its nose and muzzle, and its tail was gone.

But more disturbing for Benitz was the way his cows were acting.

"My best indicator is the cows, because I am with them every day," he said. "And when they are all bunched up in a circle facing out -- well, you know something's not right."

That's when Benitz talked to his neighbor Bill Wolfe and asked him to keep an eye out for anything unusual.

Wolfe told Benitz about the screaming he had heard three consecutive nights at the end of September. Wolfe also said his wife and daughter believed they saw a cougar in the pasture behind their home.

Wolfe, an avid hunter, said he's heard cougars cry during hunts in other parts of the state. It's a sound that sends chills up your spine, and one you don't forget, he said.

"It sounded like a woman crying, and it went on for about an hour each night," Wolfe said.

Monday Benitz and Drake told Fish and Wildlife Officer Doug Flohr about their suspicions and showed him the tracks, which were found close to a sheep ranch owned by Carol Martinez near Fisher Street and Rush Road between Prosser and Mabton.

Flohr said he photographed the prints but wasn't certain they were left by a cougar.

"It's likely that's what they are," he said. "There aren't many other animals with that large of prints."

Sgt. John McIntosh, of Fish and Wildlife, said the department has been receiving a lot more reports of cougars in the Columbia Basin, but the sightings are difficult to verify.

And even if the sightings are verified, it's unlikely the department will take action and remove or kill the animals, he said.

"We are getting a lot more cougars in the area," McIntosh said."People need to learn to adjust."

The cougar population has increased substantially since 1996, when hunting the cats with hounds was banned, he said. The animals are very territorial and require lots of room to roam. So as the population increases, so does the amount of land needed to support them.

But McIntosh said the department will not remove or kill the animals unless they threaten people or kill livestock. He said the initiative passed by voters in 1996 prevents the department from taking action.

"The animal rights people are watching us like hawks, and we have to be very careful," he said. "As long as they keep eating deer and elk we don't worry about them."

But a cougar did attack a 4-year-old boy in Ferry County in August 1999, and there are at least eight recorded attacks in the state since 1990.

That's what worries Benitz.

"That law was not intended to mean that human life is more important than a damn cougar," he said. "They have got to do something before
someone gets killed."
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RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

Otto,
It seems these P.E.T.A. pet lovers have got us over a barrel and are coming on in a suttle, silent, manner gaining ground on hunters rights each and every day going mostly unoticed! Alot of the the products we buy as comsumers like dog & cat foods, clothes, some of your favorite Musical artists on tape and C.D.'s are large contributers of these anti-organizations! Supprized??? {I choose what music I buy now more carefully!} and car makers support these anti-causes and most don't even realize it! At least we know Ted Nugent is on our side!!!
WAKE UP FOLKS!!! If you want your children and grandchildren to be able to excersize their hunting and fishing rights let alone own a gun, somethings got to be done NOW!!!!
I can see it now, all wildlife would behind fences over crowding each other competeing for the same food sources then crashing due to over population, and no one would even be able to show his or her kids what a wild animal or bird is all about, Dead or alive, and even so much as taking a simple damn picture of any wild scene or animals, harvested or just in there natural background would be outlawed! There would be a permanent off season! NO HUNTING/NO FISHING OR TRESPASSING property of the W.F.D.W.!!! Antler hunting, "wild bird" dog trianing persue season, field trials on public/private grounds, photography, much needed wildlife studies, enhancement projects on public and private lands would end, All hunting & fishing and camping could all be off limits if these sick, twisted individuals get their their way with us. They are out there, they are some of your nieghbors and co-workers and are as sneeky as they come. Some of these young individuals "I" went to school with having no idea they would become such evil, ignorant, monsters on our society.
Otto,,,, What can we as TRUE Conservationists do to stop them???????!!!!!!
Just three weeks ago, I got an e-mail from my DIEHARD Hunting Uncle Dan stating he has a Cougar hanging out in a five acer vacant tree'd lot across from his place right on Hiway 25, in a mostly urbanized area (as far as this area goes) just one mile south of Kettle Falls. It has even come on his side of the hiway in the small canyon below his scant backyard which is surrounded by houses built way back in the 70's (been there myself). He has called the Department several times informing them he had PROOF on videotape with major landmarks of it's location and all but they said they could not do anything if it hadn't HARMED any HUMAN lives! He has a 2.2 lb. Teacup Chewahwah named Dee Dee, (a sweet little girl too) packing his Colt .45 just to take her out to potty after dark and during the daytime too! His wife Chris is terrified to even take out the trash after dark or go to the car in the carprt that's right at the back door!!!
This is unexceptable to them as well as me, and I am scheduled to go that way on a spring Turkey hunt and am affraid to be in the woods anymore, even to go Grouse hunt! This young male cat is going to kill something soon, if my Uncle doesn't do it first! (W.D.F.W) {I told him to take up bow hunting real qwik!}
What has this states wildlife department come to, California's standards??? I swear they all moved up here from L.A. and San Francisco over 15 years ago with their tree hugging relatives and are letting thier emotions manage "our" wildlife and heritage, not letting science do what's right! Is our Wildlife Commisioner Russ Cahill one of them??? We as voeters NEED to VOTE these fakes out of there!
Like Artice Bowman said we all need a day "to vent" our frustraions out here!










Edited by - Lady Grouse Hunter on 01/30/2002 22:44:13

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

Really makes you wonder if we wouldn't be better off with the Legislators calling the shots again for the WDFW, instead of the Commision. At least the legislators would be accountable to their constituents. The Commision isn't accountable to anyone but their special interest pocket padders. They were too afraid to step up and do the right thing last fall when they reviewed the requirements for hound permits to be issued. When did we start puting a cougar's life ahead of a human. They also dropped the ball on the Chase Hunt issue. It has been very effective with bears at reaquainting them with the fear of man.
I have only been here 2 hunting seasons, but I hear stories of the good ole days when you could actually hunt and kill animals here. I personally feel that if Seattle would form it's own state, Washington would be much better off. Nothing against those hunters that live in the Seattle area, but look at your neighbors. You're outnumbered, and they are bullying us out of our personal freedoms through the initiative process.

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

What can we as TRUE Conservationists do to stop them???????!!!!!!

That's easy! Get involved in the united sportsmen's effort to stop the rancid tofu tide that is drowning common sense, responsible wildlife management, and our outdoor future. Join the WWC and get involved with their efforts to get the word out, make change through the press, the legislature and the courts, and to save the honorable, family activity of hunting/fishing, the same activities that [not only] have been the cornerstone of conservation, but the major funding base for all conservation efforts for 100 years!

Join the WWC or a related group and help carry the load. Our future quite simply depends on it.

Get in the information loop.

Btw, Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America is an active member group of the WWC. I can help you join either of them. For information please go to www.w4wc.org , www.TnusaWA.com , or email me. You have no idea how bad I would like to help ya'all get involved and make a positive difference!

Edited by - Hunt4life.com on 01/31/2002 05:35:16

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

LGH,,or is this Red? gotta go to work, will get back to ya this evening. H4L did a great job explaining what to do. Will add two pennies later.

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

Otto,

No need to get alarmed over a big cat in the area! Its okay to have them around. I would be s little skeptical of someone telling me they "think" they saw a lion in the area. They are easy to identify and leave a very distinctive track.

Now, lets get the ball rolling to get the season back. Its a good thing to hunt them and let them know that a human is indeed their predator and they should fear us. I am an avid houndsman and do see what the increase of numbers has done. Its increased the territory of the cats and the interaction between cats and people. Lets take the extras and ship them to MT so I can run them with my hounds (giggle)! Or, send them to Olympia or Seattle so "they" can enjoy them as much as the other side does! (again giggle) Good luck with the efforts of your hunting groups.

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

These are the points of the article that caught my eye. Remember as you read it that the legislature has given the Wildlife Commission all the latitude they need to address the safety issues by utilizing houndsmen:

"It's likely that's what they are," he said.

That's good enough for me when the public safety is at stake.

Sgt. John McIntosh, of Fish and Wildlife, said the department has been receiving a lot more reports of cougars.

Duh! Lions in school yards, livestock damage, kids being stalked at bus stops, hunters being stalked, lions in town are a weekly and daily occurance since the hound ban in '96.

And even if the sightings are verified, it's unlikely the department will take action and remove or kill the animals, he said.

Only because the Wildlife Commission refuses to allow them to.

"We are getting a lot more cougars in the area," McIntosh said."People need to learn to adjust."

How about the Commission "adjust" their attitude and use the latitude given them to take care of the problem? The attitude "adjustment" should come from those responsible for managing the wildlife of this state. Not nice folks that have only committed the "crime" of being a resident of a state that allowed a corrupt animal rights movement to take over game management policy.

The cougar population has increased substantially since 1996, when hunting the cats with hounds was banned, he said.

That's for those that aren't yet aware of what exactly caused the problem.

He said the initiative passed by voters in 1996 prevents the department from taking action.

No, and not to belabor the point, but the legislature gave the commission the legal authority to allow the Department to act. The commission is the problem of the day - the intiative is the larger issue.

"The animal rights people are watching us like hawks, and we have to be very careful," he said.

KMA!

But a cougar did attack a 4-year-old boy in Ferry County in August 1999, and there are at least eight recorded attacks in the state since 1990.

That and the huge rise in lion complaints and property damage (pets and livestock) in the wake of the ban intiated and passed by the animal rightists is why the Governor and the legislature gave the Wildlife Commission what they needed to bring some sanity to an otherwise insane situation. What is the hold-up for cry'in outloud?!!

And the Commission wonders why the legislature is upset with them. Go figger!

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

You know I am not the brightest bulb in the bunch and sometimes need a good slap up alongside of the head once in awhile.
But in 95 when this intiative bubbled up from under their stinky feet, I figured it would be a no brainer that anybody in their right mind would understand how insane this was and would vote the sensible way.
Bang! Slap! Ouch, was I wrong. I started talking at work about this and people that were for neither side, figured that we needed to save these cute little critters, granted these folks are very inteligent with plenty of certificates hanging on the office walls showing how smart they really are. But they were all gonna vote to ban cougar and bear hunting, I was aghast that they didnt understand the reprocussions of their vote. That is where something clicked and I had to help them change their minds. I ordered the environmetal impact statement(EIS) from the state. I learned that book inside and out. I found out who the opposition was to that
b itch Lisa Wathne of Paws. That is when I found Washingtonians for Wildlife Conservation, and have been a member ever since. Doing whatever I can to protect mine and yours rights, from either giving a day or a dollar whatever it takes to ensure that my little boy will have the same opportunities that I have enjoyed.
There is so much to do! some dont feel comfortable getting up in front of groups or manning a booth at a sportsman show. I jumped right in as a speaker and they havent been able to shut me up since. Some can just make donations and become part of the organization, others can get brouchures and distribute them to gun shops, sporting shops or places friendly to our rights or many other things.. The most important thing to do is make sure your doing sumpin to ensure our Hunting Rights! We all gotta get on board!

BTW all those folks that I worked with in that office (maybe 15) after I got done preaching and showing them the facts, they all voted against it. Even one lady that was a diehard vegetarian AR, I got her to see through their retoric and voted smart. She is also no longer a vegitarian and ate venision steak a year or so ago! I was very proud!
The thing was, is that I got 15 folks to change their vote and I know a few talked to their friends and changed some more votes. But that is where it needs to start (grassroot), is us getting off our duffs and making a difference.

Sorry, didnt mean to get so involved in this note, but I wanna start winning!!

The next meeting for W4WC is in February, I think the third Saturday, I am planning to be in attendance and encourage as many of us sportman to join us in Ellensburg.
Maybe a little coyote hunting may be in order?

Otto

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

Breaking News, On tonighs news bulletin...
As reported on Q 13 News, Seattle Wa.; " in Spokane Washington, a family's "Teacup" Yorkshire Terrier at only 3lbs. was snatched up by a Hungry Coyote and carried off as doomed small, but tasty snack! The younger son in the famliy grabbed a rifle and shot at the maroding preditor and it dropped the little dog and ran out of sight, (boy,,, why did you miss?!!) The little dog ended up being just fine after recieving 11 infected bites and is doing well at this hour! That your News break for the evening!

Edited by - Lady Grouse Hunter on 02/01/2002 01:04:13

RE: More Cougar Problems in Washington
 

Not good! hope the little guy does OK

News from the Tofu Warrior camps is that they will make attempts at Coyote hunting, Pheasant release sites and a couple more targets.
We thought they would never win I655 and I713 but they did. They would never win a Coyote hunting intiative or pheasant's,,,, right? We would have too many outraged sportsman and of course they would all band together and form a united front.
Or would they think that it doesnt affect them so why should I get involved, Let somebody else do the work..

Edited by - Otto on 02/01/2002 08:46:20