2017 Oregon Cougar Management Plan Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife October 2017 2017 Oregon Cougar Management Plan Adopted October 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY October 2017 The 2017 Oregon Cougar Management Plan updates the 2006 Oregon Cougar Management Plan. This update will guide Oregon’s cougar management, and provides strategies for resolution of human conflicts with cougars. This plan revision process was initiated in April 2016 when two panels of invited stakeholders provided testimony and written recommendations at the April Commission meeting. Next steps included stakeholder meetings in late summer and a staff presentation and public testimony at the October Commission Meeting. Informal/impromptu communications occurred with local sporting groups, state agencies, landowner groups, wildlife researchers, and other interested parties throughout the entire duration of this process. The draft plan chapters include information on Oregon cougars; cougar management objectives; and cougar management goals incorporated into an adaptive management approach for the future. These chapters contain a significant amount of information and data on cougar biology, population trends, research findings, damage and conflict, and management activities. Similar to the 2006 Plan, this draft plan establishes objectives that seek to maintain viable and healthy cougar populations in Oregon, reduce conflicts with cougars, and manage cougars in a manner compatible with other game mammal species. Objective 1 seeks to manage the state’s cougar population at a level well above that required for long term sustainability. Achieving and monitoring this objective is complicated but empirical data and numerous indices can be used to assess population status. Because the minimum population objective is well above the level of sustainability, and because of the demonstrated resilience of cougar populations (Cougar Management Guidelines, 2005, page 40), exact counts of cougars are not necessary to achieve Objective 1. To accomplish this objective, several strategies have been employed. Zone management with mortality quotas will be used to ensure harvest does not reduce the population below objective levels. Harvest can occur at three levels of intensity to allow for maintenance of source and sink populations. Two indicators of cougar abundance will be used. A deterministic, density dependent population model, which utilizes data collected from all cougar mortalities in Oregon, will be used for predicting outcomes on a short- term basis in an adaptive management approach (Cougar Management Guidelines, 2005, page 58). Proportion of adult females in the harvest will also be used to monitor cougar population trajectory. In addition, data will continue to be collected in more intensive, smaller scale research studies (Cougar Management Guidelines, 2005, page 77) as well as developing alternative population models that could incorporate stochastic variability for each zone. Objectives 2 – 3 address solving conflict. The primary strategy to solve conflict since 1995 has been to give advice and, when necessary, remove the problem animal. While damage and conflict have remained relatively stable in much of Oregon, conflict has increased as cougars have expanded into previously unoccupied habitats of human habitation. Human population increases in some parts of the state have exacerbated the problem. Steps necessary to achieve these objectives are straightforward and do not depend on cougar population estimates. In addition to advice and removal of specific cougars, specific areas with elevated conflict may also be targeted to reduce conflict by reducing cougar numbers. These targeted areas are intended to create a buffer of low i 2017 Oregon Cougar Management Plan Adopted October 2017 cougar density, thereby reducing conflict. Objective 4 seeks to achieve established management objectives for other game mammal species. Only those Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s) where elk or deer populations are below established management objectives, have shown a history of decline and lack of ability to sustain themselves, and where evidence indicates cougar predation is a primary factor may be targeted for cougar population reduction. For bighorn sheep, areas around specific herds will be targeted when evidence indicates cougar predation is a primary factor. All management activities will be carried out in an adaptive management approach, as suggested in the Cougar Management Guidelines (2005, pages 74 and 81), which allows for monitoring, evaluation, and changes in management based on results. Those strategies that are not successful at meeting stated objectives would be modified or discontinued. Numerous indicators will be used to monitor success. Total mortality, hunter harvest success rates, and biological data will continue to be collected. These data will contribute to population modeling for each Cougar Management Zone. Cougar-human conflict will continue to be monitored using non-hunting mortalities and complaints concerning human safety, pets, and livestock. Research projects will collect information on movements, density, predation rates, and will be able to better detect other factors such as disease. ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Cougar management is complicated by the dichotomy of sentiment toward cougars among Oregon residents. This plan presents ODFW’s strategy to meet its mission and incorporate public attitudes and desires. It is a plan that will be updated and rewritten as agency policies, new biological data, and human and/or cougar populations change. ii 2017 Oregon Cougar Management Plan Adopted October 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. vii PURPOSE OF THE PLAN ..................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER II: INFORMATION ON OREGON COUGARS ................................................................ 4 History and Range .................................................................................................................................. 4 Reproduction and Productivity ............................................................................................................. 6 Dispersal and Connectivity .................................................................................................................... 6 Landscape Genetics ................................................................................................................................ 7 Density ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Cougar Interactions with Ungulates ................................................................................................... 10 Cougar Interactions with Other Carnivores ...................................................................................... 15 Cougar Habitat...................................................................................................................................... 18 Habitat Distribution .......................................................................................................................... 19 Cougars and Urban Landscapes ...................................................................................................... 20 Age and Sex Structure .......................................................................................................................... 22 Hunting and Hunter Harvest ............................................................................................................... 26 License and Tags ............................................................................................................................... 26 Hunting Techniques and Harvest .................................................................................................... 27 Hunt Structure .................................................................................................................................. 27 Impact of Hunting on Cougar Populations ..................................................................................... 28 Impact of Hunting on Population Trajectory in Oregon .............................................................. 29 Illegal Kill .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Damage and Safety Mortalities ............................................................................................................ 32 Administrative Removals ....................................................................................................................