Peggi has brought up an issue that bears additional discussion.
One of the fascinating revelations re: increased cougar
populations, is that ALL of the western states are reporting
increasing cougar populations. This is particularly
significant in that the array of management philosophies and
schemes run the gamut from 'kill all the vermin you can' to
much more conservative regulations such as Washington with its
very restrictive permit lottery system. The explanations for
this increase are just as diverse, which might lead some into
thinking that the real reasons (if they exist) are rather
complex.

Certainly, the continuing development of residences in what
once was mostly uninhabited woodland, would explain some of the
increased sightings of cougar. But in many cases this does not
fit reality. For example, many areas where there has not been
much human growth has seen a very large growth in sightings and
complaints to F&W agencies. Biologists in the western states
agree that populations are increasing, but they are not in
agreement as to the explanation.

Tom Juelson
Olympia