Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
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Oregon <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lion</strong> Status Report<br />
Donald G. Whittaker, Species Coordinator, Oregon Department <strong>of</strong> Fish and Wildlife, 3406<br />
Cherry Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97303, USA donald.whittaker@state.or.us<br />
Cougar (Puma concolor) occur at varying densities across <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Oregon landscape<br />
(Fig. 1). Persecuted to near extirpation by <strong>the</strong> mid 1960s, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>n Oregon State Game<br />
Commission was given management authority by <strong>the</strong> 1967 Oregon Legislature. Oregon’s first<br />
Cougar Management Plan was developed in 1987 with revisions in 1993, 1998, and 2006. The<br />
most recent 2006 revision established 5 guiding objectives for cougar management in Oregon:<br />
ZONE A<br />
COAST/NORTH CASCADES<br />
Saddle<br />
<strong>Mountain</strong><br />
Wilson<br />
Trask<br />
Stott Mt.<br />
Alsea<br />
Siuslaw<br />
Tioga<br />
Sixes Powers<br />
Chetco<br />
Melrose<br />
Scappoose<br />
Willamette<br />
ZONE B<br />
SOUTHWEST CASCADES<br />
ZONE D<br />
COLUMBIA BASIN<br />
McKenzie<br />
Indigo<br />
Dixon<br />
Evans<br />
Creek<br />
Applegate<br />
Rogue<br />
Hood<br />
Biggs<br />
White<br />
River<br />
Santiam<br />
Warm<br />
Springs<br />
Indian<br />
Res.<br />
Grizzly<br />
Metolius<br />
Upper Deschutes<br />
Fort Rock<br />
Sprague<br />
Silver<br />
Lake<br />
Keno Klamath<br />
Falls<br />
Maupin<br />
Paulina<br />
Interstate<br />
ZONE C<br />
SOUTHEAST CASCADES<br />
1) Oregon Department <strong>of</strong> Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will manage for a cougar population that<br />
is at or above <strong>the</strong> 1994 level <strong>of</strong> approximately 3,000 cougars statewide.<br />
2) ODFW will proactively manage cougar-human conflicts as measured by non-hunting<br />
mortalities and ODFW may take management actions to reduce <strong>the</strong> cougar population.<br />
3) ODFW will proactively manage cougar-human safety/pet conflicts as measured by human<br />
safety/pet complaints and ODFW may take management action to reduce <strong>the</strong> cougar<br />
population.<br />
4) ODFW will proactively manage cougar-livestock conflicts as measured by non-hunting<br />
mortalities and livestock damage complaints and ODFW may take management actions to<br />
reduce <strong>the</strong> cougar population.<br />
5) ODFW will proactively manage cougar populations in a manner compatible and consistent<br />
with management objectives for o<strong>the</strong>r game mammals outlined in ODFW management<br />
plans.<br />
Maury<br />
Fossil<br />
Wagontire<br />
Warner<br />
Umatilla Indian<br />
Reservation<br />
Columbia Basin<br />
Silvies<br />
Heppner<br />
Juniper<br />
Beatys<br />
Butte<br />
Northside<br />
Ukiah<br />
Desolation<br />
Ochoco Murderers<br />
Creek<br />
<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ninth</strong> <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lion</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> 23<br />
Steens <strong>Mountain</strong><br />
69<br />
High Medium Low<br />
Walla<br />
Walla<br />
Mount<br />
Emily<br />
Malheur River<br />
ZONE E<br />
BLUE MOUNTAINS<br />
Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Ck.<br />
Sumpter<br />
Sled<br />
Springs<br />
Wenaha<br />
Beulah<br />
Minam<br />
Pine<br />
Keating Ck.<br />
Lookout<br />
Mt.<br />
Whitehorse<br />
Figure 1. Current distribution and relative density <strong>of</strong> cougar in Oregon by<br />
Big Game Management Unit and Harvest Quota Zone.<br />
Starkey<br />
Chesnim.<br />
Owyhee<br />
Imnaha<br />
Snake River<br />
ZONE F<br />
SOUTHEAST OREGON