COUGARS are still a concern in the winter months, espcially for people who enjoy activities above Davis County in the mountains or woods. The DWR has offered ways to reduce coming in contact with cougars and what to do in the event a cougar is encountered. DWR sees cougar safety as important but does not want resident to panic.
Given that and some recent cougar encounters with people throughout the state, the Untah Division of Wildlife Resources has issued information on how to remain safe in the event one encounters the big cat.
“It’s important to understand most times when a cougar encounters a person the cougar runs away,” said DWR spokesman Mark Hadley. “But to be safe, we have put out the information to keep everyone safe in the event a cougar doesn’t run away.”
“We chose to get this information out even though the likelihood of encountering a cougar in the winter drops off it can still happen,” Hadley said. “People are still in the outdoors in the woods so there is that chance.”
“First, it’s a good idea to know how to keep cougars and other wildlife away,” Hadley said. We suggest the following.”
° Do not feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife attracts deer and other animals to your yard that cougars prey on.
° Do not feed pets outside. The food could attract cougars to your yard. And keep your pets indoors at night. Pets are easy prey for
cougars.
° Outdoor lighting and motion-sensitive lighting are a deterrent for the secretive cougar. Lights also make cougars that are approaching your home visible.
° Keep a close eye on your children when they’re playing outside.
And bring them in before dusk. That’s when cougars begin to hunt.
° Make your yard deer-proof. If your landscaping is attractive to deer, cougars will follow the deer and stay close to your property.
It a person does encounter a cougar DWR has the following safety advice.
° Do not run from a cougar. Running can provoke a prey response in the cougar, and the cougar may pursue you.
° Make yourself look intimidating. Make yourself look big by opening your jacket, and raising your arms and waving them. Speak loudly and firmly.
° If you have children, pick them up. Try to pick children up before the children panic and run. When you’re picking your children up, keep an eye on the cougar but avoid making direct eye contact with the animal. Try not to bend over too far or turn your back to the cougar.
Here are two things you can do to avoid encountering a cougar in thefirst place:
° Hike with other people and make noise. Cougars will not usuallybother groups of people.
° If you’re hiking with pets, keep them on a leash and close to yourgroup. Roaming pets are open to cougar attacks, or they could irritate a cougar that’s trying to avoid your group. A dog on a leash is alsoa good warning system that will let you know if a cougar is nearby.
More tips about how to stay safe in cougar country are available in the
DWR’s “Living in Cougar Country” brochure. The free brochure isavailable at www.wildlife.utah.gov/cougar/pdf/cougar_brochure.pdf.
sschulte@davisclipper.com
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