Man Shoots Cougar After It Turns, Charges Hiker Fired Warning Shots, But Cat Kept Following Family

A Washington man says he shot and killed a cougar that charged at him as he strolled in the woods New Year’s Eve with his family.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist John Thiebes said the cat’s behavior was unusual, but no longer unheard of.

Thiebes said younger cats looking for territory seem to be moving into populated areas of Jackson and Josephine counties and causing problems by killing livestock and pets.

“They’re having more and more contact with humans,” he said, “and they’re more and more used to humans.”

The male cougar appeared to be in good health and was about 2 years old, Thiebes said.

Ross McDonell and his family from Arlington, Wash., were in Oregon visiting family when they decided to go for a stroll with his mother near her home, just west of Ruch.

As they hiked along an old logging road, McDonell looked back toward his wife, who was a few steps behind, and caught sight of the big cat bounding straight for them.

“As soon as I locked eyes on it, it stopped,” he said.

McDonell drew the pistol he carries when he walks in the woods. He told his wife to head downhill with their two sons and his mother, Kathy McDonell, then fired a shot over the cougar’s head to scare it.

Instead of disappearing, the cat followed the family, skirting through the woods, McDonell said. He fired a second warning shot from his .45-caliber Glock.

“I was getting tired of this game,” he said. “But in the back of my mind, I’m saying ‘This is unbelievable. This cat is not scared.”’

McDonell said the cougar kept following the family downhill, undeterred by three more warning shots.

Then the cougar turned and charged McDonell, he said. “I shot once more and hit it in the neck, and it buckled.”