Agents Kill Cougars Preying On Bighorns

Two cougars that had been preying on recently relocated bighorns in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Oregon were tracked and killed by biologists last week.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said mountain lions had killed at least four of the 17 bighorn sheep transplanted to the Minam area on Feb. 11. One cougar was killed as it attacked a biologist doing radio telemetry monitoring of the bighorns, which were captured in Alberta and transported to a landing on the Minam River. From there, the bighorns were airlifted by helicopter for release in the upper canyon.

“These sheep are unfamiliar with their new terrain and haven’t learned the locations of good escape cover,” said Craig Ely, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department regional director in northeast Oregon. “It will take the animals a few months to be secure in their new habitat. In the meantime, we need to provide the herd some protection.”

Starting at the site of a kill, the biologists tracked the cougars through the snow. Cougars often remain in the area of a kill for several days. By starting at the sheep carcass, biologists are reasonably sure they killed the cougars preying on the new bighorn population.

“Our intent was not to eliminate cougars in the Minam Canyon, but rather to temporarily reduce their impacts until bighorns become established in the canyon,” Ely said. “Selective predator removal is fairly common in many reintroduction efforts.”

Similar actions have recently been used in Idaho’s Jim Sage Mountains. Cougar control is being used to prevent further depletion of the endangered Sierra Nevada California bighorn herds.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep thrived in northeast Oregon for thousands of years. The animals were eradicated from northeast Oregon by competition with livestock, diseases spread by domestic sheep, and overhunting. Attempts to reintroduce the animals began in the 1970s. Northeast Oregon now includes herds totaling more than 750 bighorn sheep. Each year, new animals are brought in to introduce additional breeding stock, diversify the gene pool and expand herds into unoccupied areas. This year’s transplant of Rocky Mountain bighorns was subsidized by the Oregon Hunter’s Association, which donated more than $30,000 in support of the transplant.

Bear, cougar hunters must report

Black bear and cougar hunters are required to report all hunting of those species to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department.

Anyone who purchased a 1999-2000 black bear or cougar hunting license package must file the postpaid card that was attached to the tag.

Hunters also have the option of completing their reports on the department Web site or by telephoning toll-free (877) 968-4263.

The black bear and cougar reports provide valuable information which wildlife biologists use to develop models indicating the population trends of those two species, agency officials said. The cougar hunting season continues until March 15.

Razor clam season opening

A razor clam digging season is set to open at three of Washington’s ocean beaches in April.

Digging at Long Beach and Twin Harbors is set for mornings on April 6-8, and for mornings at Mocrocks on April 7 and 8.

Openings will depend on marine toxin tests. For updates, call the Fish and Wildlife Department shellfish hotline (360) 796-3215.