REGINAL OFFICE:
RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A LAKE RESORT THAT A COUGAR (“A BIG MALE”) HAS BEEN HANGING AROUND THE RESORT FOR THE LAST MONTH BUT IS NOW SHOWING HIMSELF CLOSER TO CAMPERS. THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR TENT CAMPERS AND PATRONS.
OFFICER:
I CALLED THE RP AND SPOKE WITH HER. THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE COUGAR IN THE AREA OF THE LAKE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. IT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING INDICATING A THREAT, BUT HAS BEEN SEEN REPEATEDLY. IT WAS "CLOSE" TO A TENT CAMPER THE OTHER NIGHT, THOUGH IT DID NOT ACT AGGRESSIVELY. I EXPLAINED THAT IT HAS GOTTEN REALLY DRY AND HOT RUNNING INTO THE (NOW) FALL. PREY SOURCES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE FOUND NEAR WATER AND THE CATS FOLLOW THEIR PREY. THE LAKE IS RIGHT THERE. COUGAR SEASON IS OPEN AND IT'S OK TO HUNT WITH A TAG, OR SHOOT IT IF IT BECOMES A THREAT. IF THAT HAPPENS, CALL US AND WE WILL HAUL IT AWAY. IF IT ACTS AGGRESSIVELY OR CONTINUES TO COME INTO THE CAMPING AREA, PLEASE CALL AND WE CAN RE-EVALUATE OUR APPROACH. THE RP STATED SHE WOULD PURCHASE A TAG AND SHOOT IT UNDER THE OPEN SEASON IF SHE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY.
