Okanogan officials to fight cougars on their own

Associated Press

OKANOGAN — Frustrated by what they call state inactivity, Okanogan County commissioners may take their own action against problem cougars.

The commissioners will consider a local ordinance Nov. 19 to select their own wildlife agents to hunt down problem cats.

"Somebody’s going to get killed here by a cougar if we don’t take some steps," commissioner Dave Schulz said.

County wildlife agents could use hunting dogs or bait to chase or kill any problem cougars.

Last year, residents complained of cougars prowling residential neighborhoods, climbing on rooftops and living under porches. Five were spotted in Twisp, where four cougars were eventually killed.

One horse ranch in Wauconda reported losing four dogs and six horses and colts in the past two years.

If the ordinance passes, Schulz said the county will ask the state Legislature for money to hunt the cougars.

State Fish and Wildlife officials agree there’s a problem, but say they’re taking care of it.

Sgt. Jim Brown, who is in charge of four state agents in Okanogan County, said he recently told commissioners his agency will more aggressively hunt down problem cougars this year.

Okanogan County had 97 cougar complaints in 2000; this year it has had 115 so far.

The state has killed seven cougars in Okanogan County so far this year and another seven were killed by local hunters, said Capt. Richard Smith of state Fish and Wildlife.

Donny Martorello, the agency’s carnivore section manager in Olympia, said the state is hiring three cougar and bear specialists to deal solely with problem animals.

But George Brady, a retired wildlife agent who lives in Pateros, scoffed at the agency’s efforts.

He said complaints have been going up by 25 percent a year, and Okanogan County has a problem that needs to be addressed.

"Their answer is to hire three biologists to study the problem," Brady said. "It’s a complete waste of money."

Some of the state funds should go to support local hound hunters, he said.