This afternoon at about 3PM, I was sitting quietly in our kitchen reading the newspaper. The rest of our family was in Medford and our border collie and Akita were in their doghouses at the other side of our house. I looked out the window and was totally surprised to see what I believe was an adult cougar weighing perhaps 80 to 90 pounds, walking by about 10 feet away and parallel to the creek. The cougar was headed south along the creek towards Debra and David's.

By the time I had shoes on and had roused Sam to go check with me, the cougar was gone from sight.
I've called a report in to the Ashland Police, who will share it with other police agencies. They also suggested calling Fish and Wildlife to let them know, which I have done, and they advised notifying our neighbors.

I understand that hunters in our area, particularly up in our hills on the Jenkins property, etc., have reported fresh deer kills and the kill of a small elk by a cougar (or cougars). Willie reports that the usual small deer herd which visits his place is down from 12 or more to about 5. The others may have been downed, or just frightened off.

The Police dispatcher said that this cat has probably made our area its territory and it will patrol it looking for prey. Cougars are supposed to have large territories, but we don't know what pressures it is facing from other cougars, and these cats are quite smart and designed for stalking and killing their prey.

They will be attracted to small domesticated animals, cats, dogs, chickens, sheep, goats, and even to children and smaller humans. (We lost two goats to a cougar about 6 years ago. They were in a large pen with a 5 foot high fence to keep out coyotes. We hired a state authorized hunter who took down that cat, which weighed over 110 pounds, that night.) These smaller prey are generally easier to attack than chasing down deer. Also, the fact that this cat had no fear of coming close to our home, means that it has become used to human beings and is more dangerous than a people-shy wild animal would be.

Cougars are known as stalkers. They usually discover you before you see them. They live by their instincts and wits, and they need fresh kills to survive. They are very good at their work. They are beautiful animals, but very dangerous, so be careful.

I'm particularly concerned since I frequently have to go out in our vineyard at night to adjust watering. I have never done so before, but I will carry a sidearm now, if only as a noisemaker.

Please notify others that you know in our neighborhood, and please pass on any useful information which you may have.
Thanks.
Al