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  • From: "Kinch" <kinch@shaw.ca>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] cougar sightings
  • Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:56:35 -0700

Up here on Vancouver Island the population of cougars, wolves and black bear are quite high right now. There are no coyotes on the island (no skunks either). There have been a number of cougar attacks over the last couple of years. Most of the time the animal was either sick or a young one trying to carve out it's territory. About 10 years ago the police shot and killed a cougar in downtown Victoria.
 
While on our rides we see bear frequently but have not seen a cougar in a while. Generally if you see one, they are quite a way off and are not threatening. What has been known to happen is that while out for a ride, the cougar will "target" the accompanying dog, so anytime the horses signal that something is not quite right, we have the dog "stay close" until the horses relax. Like a bear, a cougar will normally come out and check out our "scent" after we pass.
 
For bears, we carry a FOX 40 whistle. We also use them for "sound sweeps" during searches. They are very loud and shrill and you have to train the horses so they don't spook to it. The bears don't generally run from it, but it stops them in their track and allow us to proceed. I'm sure it would work with a cougar as well, along with the other normal tactics of don't run, don't turn your back, make yourself as big as possible and angle away ensuring you keep the cougar in sight if possible.
 
Haven't had any encounters with wolves yet.
 
Joe Kinch
Arrowsmith Search & Rescue
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:45 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] cougar sightings

One advantage we have as SAR members, if we are in good with LE is that
we can ask for an exemption while in areas.
 
Here in Texas our State Parks are a mix of No Carry and Carry even though we are a shall issue State.
 
All I ever do is tell LE I plan on carrying in the park. I have never had one say no.
I did have a park ranger have a hissy fit, but as soon as I explained what we where doing
and the LE said it was ok he backed off and had no issue with it.
 
I am just glad that I have never needed it.
 


From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:37 PM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] cougar sightings

In the very urban SE PA and NJ areas we have had cat sightings for years, usually around shopping malls or along interstates.  Some pictures, no catches. 

The bears are very habituated to people and often den up under a porch or deck of vacation homes or even main residences if the owner is away for a few days. They also have entered houses to plunder the kitchen pantry or the fridge.  The Game Commission usually relocates them about 100 miles away but always tags them so if they come back they are disposed of.  One made the trip from NJ across the Delaware 3 times before he was killed. 

 

There are red foxes in the city, mostly aggressive towards people, and there is a high incidence of rabies in the area.  A neighboring sheep operation keeps burros in the fields for protection.  It was cheaper than bailing out the shepards for shooting feral dogs and possible coyotes.  It just took almost 4 weeks to trap a squirrel that set housekeeping in my utility room.  He kept tripping the box traps without getting caught inside.

 

Using a firearm is final but may leave you in the lurch in civilization.  Even though PA is a must issue state (and NJ is a never issue state) you cannot carry a firearm of any kind in a state park or forest, except during hunting season, with a license in a hunting area; within 1000 feet of a school; in or on any local, county, state or federal property, most college campuses, hospitals, or shopping malls.   

 

There was an anecdotal report of a fatal cat attack on the jogging trails outside Denver a while back.

 

Your horse is your best defense—when mounted you are big and strange to the predator and your horse’s instincts will hopefully trigger a fright attack. NEVER let anyone get their hands on your horse or tack.  The object of a human attacker is to get you down on the ground so you can’t run away while they do what they want.  A young lady outran several would be attackers on bicycles with a lame horse along a dirt horse trail some time ago where I board and nobody has tried to attack since.  

 

Irv Lichtenstein


From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Philip & Bonnie Easley
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:15 PM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] cougar sightings

 

According to the local Federal Trapper in our area who is an expert in Cougar behavior, there is no animal in the North American continant that a mature Mountain Lyon cannot take down.  This includes the Buffalo and the Kodiac Bear.  They may not choose to, they just have the ability to.  We have had horses (one of them mine), donkeys, llamas, cattle, dogs, house cats, sheep, goats, and many others taken by these nice looking cats.  They generally will pray on deer and other wild animals.  When the food gets scarse, they will teach their young to kill and eat goats and other easy prey on occasion.  Those are the ones that become dangerous and the USDA will then hunt down and kill them.  If they relocate them, they will continue with preying on domestic animals instead of the wildlife they are supposed to eat. 

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