Cougar

Happy Tales: Deformed Pup Saved

BrianLynn — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:06:19 -0400

Because we all love a happy ending, here's a story from Greenville, S.C., about a Labrador retriever-mix-breed puppy that was adopted from the local humane society shelter only to be returned a few weeks later with deformed legs.

Florida: Worst Dog-Training State?

BrianLynn — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:08:27 -0500

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In case you missed it, there's a picture of Florida on the left. While mountainous beauties adorn the beaches, the Sunshine State might just be the worst state in which to try and train a dog, especially a waterfowling one.

All About Retrieving Bumpers

BrianLynn — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:20:59 -0500

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Retrieving bumpers, or dummies, come in various sizes, weights and colors. They're made of plastic, canvas and even foam. If you're wondering which type is for you and when you're supposed to use different colors, keep reading for the answers.

SD Lion Kills Labrador

BrianLynn — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:56:04 -0500

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First it's nasty, bacteria-infested iguanas in Florida posing a potentially dangerous threat to dogs, and now mountain lions in South Dakota are entering people's yards and killing their pups. A conclusion some have drawn from the attacks, however, reveals an interesting prey-selection process for the big cats.

Bloody Cougar Attack

EricAichele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:42 -0500

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EricAichele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:10 -0500

This 2008 article in the Seattle Times points the finger of blame for cougar conflict at hunting. It’s an interesting read that definitely uses biological and known conflict evidence, as well as hunter harvest numbers. The question we have after reading it, however, is: what was the overall population change from 1996 to 2006/07

BloodyCougar_11

EricAichele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:08 -0500

As a result, increased cougar-human conflicts have taken place as suburbs expand into cougar country and cat populations ebb and flow with population cycles, appropriate habitat, prey species distribution and other biological influences. Sick, starving cougars have attacked and killed people in the state, including 35-year-old Mark Jeffery Reynolds who was partially consumed while mountain bike riding at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in southern Orange County in 2004.

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EricAichele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:07 -0500

In California, cougar hunting was banned in 1972 with a bill signed by then-Gov. Ronald Regan. The law called for a 5-year ban on the sport hunting of cats, but it was extended twice between 1972 and 1986. In 1986 the 15-year moratorium was lifted, but lawsuits filed by the Mountain Lion Coalition kept the season tied up in courts until 1990 when voters approved Proposition 117 to permanently end cougar hunting in the state.

BloodyCougar_08

EricAichele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:05 -0500

As we view these pictures and contemplate the role of the cougar in nature and what has happened throughout the West in regards to the means and status of hunting seasons, we can’t help but comment on the role of anthropomorphism in citizen-inspired initiatives.

Identification Tags: A Cautionary Tale

BrianLynn — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:16:14 -0500

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Putting a microchip under your pet's skin offers the best, most reliable, tamper-proof means of positively identifying your pet and allowing a shelter, vet or even some breeders to return them to you. Old-fashioned identification "dog tags", however, are the easiest, cheapest and quickest way for a kind stranger to return them.

I have to admit, Kona, our Lab, and Hoss, our English bulldog, are both microchipped but neither wears tags on his collar. In fact, Kona rarely wears a collar. It's something I always think of when buying dog food and I see the little dog-tag kiosks, but something I never seem to follow-up on.

That's going to change very soon as I read a tale of a lost Lab that was sent to me from outdoor writer MD Johnson. If you read any outdoor mags, you'll recognize MD's byline. He's prolific writer and an outdoorsman to the core, and his little tale rings true.