Editorial

Ted Okkerse

PROGRAMED TO EAT DEER

One of my employees that lives out west, received a letter from Fish and Wildlife sometime ago alerting her family and I?assume her nieghbours as well, that seven full grown cougars had been released into the area near Buck Lake.

The reason for the release is apparently to control the deer populations. Deer have been doing a fair amount of damage to crops. In addition to the damage to crops, there have also been rising incidents of vehicle hits causing extensive damage and in some case injuries.

One cougar has recently been spotted in the Lakedell area, as they travel great distances in their quest for food.

I was kind of wondering what would stop a cougar from taking a new born calf, sheep or goat, or even a small child or family pets. But then I realized that these animals have been severely talked to by Fish and Wildlife before their release and told that under “NO” circumstances are they to eat anything other than deer. Specifically those ones that have been causing problems for farmers and motorists in the area.

I’m sure that being the intelligent cats that they are, they would in no way stray from their appointed task.

Even though in the encyclopedia the cougar is described as:
A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range, but it hunts species as small as insects and rodents.

When I went on the Alberta Fish and Wildlife website, I found that even though they released these animals in an area and time of year (such as the Buck Mountain grazing Preserve) when there are a lot of calves being born, there is no mention of the release that I was able to find.

While the cougar is the second largest of the big cats in the New World, they are reclusive and shy and rarely attack humans. We will put in some cautionary information to help those that may have some concerns about venturing out in the rural areas west of Wetaskiwin.

Encourage children to play in supervised groups away from dense vegetation and ensure they come inside before dusk.

Walk your pet during the day. Dogs and cats are easy prey.

If you live in a rural community or near wooded areas, (that would be everyone west of the City of Wetaskiwin), take special precautions to prevent encounters and know what to do if you encounter a cougar.

Learn to recognize signs of their presence such as tracks, scats, and markings; be aware of flocks of ravens or magpies which may indicate a kill site.

Travel in groups near wooded areas, make noise to alert cougars of your presence, and consider carrying a walking stick and pepper spray.

I think it would have been far better to issue more deer tags to hunters in the areas that have a deer population problem and it would be taken care of.

On second thought, we would have to warn everyone that there are hunters in the area, and we all know that hunters, unlike cougars will shoot anything that moves, kids, pets, cattle, horses the elderly, sawhorses, or whatever. As well, they are neither shy nor reclusive, they usually drink copious quantities of beer or other intoxicating liquids before heading out on the trail.

If you come upon a group of hunters in the bush, do not approach them. If you are spotted, back away slowly, do not make eye contact. If you do come into direct contact with a hunter, play dead, he’ll think that you are one of his buddies that has passed out and he will probably just walk away and leave you alone. Once his back is turned you can bolt for your car.

Hunters are not masters of camouflage , wearing mostly loud clothing and garish hats. They typically avoid contact with any real wildlife unless it is carrying a two-four. The typical hunter feeds mostly on burgers and hotdogs but will also consider Dinty Moore Beef Stew heated on the engines of their cars.

If you spot a flock of ravens circling, this may be due to the fact that the fearless predators have not bathed in some time. Do not approach under any circumstances. Back away covering your face with a clean hanky.

Ted Okkerse