I noticed the story Cougars on the rise in this week’s Central Alberta Life magazine (also published as Cougars at large in the Nov. 20 Advocate).
I’m disappointed. The truth needs to be revealed.
Yes, the cougar population is increasing and yes it’s due to the increased population of deer. But the reasons given for the increasing population of deer is stretched just too far.
Yes, this has all happened in the last decade or so, but why?
The truth is this: about a decade ago gun control legislation was invoked, and that’s why the deer population has increased.
Before gun control, I had a dozen hunters asking to hunt on my land each season. That dropped to zero when gun control came along, and even this year I have had only one person ask to hunt here.
At the same time, before gun control I had maybe four deer cross through my yard. Last year it was herds numbering 15 to 40 deer.
So far this year, I have had deer in my yard at least five days per week, and they are not afraid of people. They are hard to scare away. They are after bird feeders, fruit-bearing shrubs or trees and grass in treed areas.
And of course, where the deer are, so are those cougars.
Yes, I have had a close call with a cougar.
A few years ago, I went outside to sweep the recent snowfall off my deck. It was dark and my porch lights only covered 10 to 15 feet into the darkness. I thought about going around the corner to the garage and sweeping the snow off the garage pad, but decided to wait until morning.
I had just gone in and closed the door, and was taking off my jacket, when I heard something jump on the deck. I went back outside, and there where I had just swept was a cougar track. It had been just out of sight in the darkness watching me.
Had I gone and done the garage pad I would have met that cougar with only a broom in my hand. . . not a nice thought.
I have seen several cougars here in my yard. I am wary of going out at night. You just never know where one might be.
Also, I have noticed that they blend in with the color of the dead grass in treed areas. If they don’t move, you don’t see them.
The real pests are the large numbers of deer. They are destructive and a nuisance.
This should be a lesson to everyone. When legislation is invoked without considering all ramifications the consequences can be far-reaching.
Daryl Watson
Bowden