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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 9, 2005 Bill would allow use of dogs to hunt cougars The sponsorless bill, put forth by the Safari Club, would set pilot programs in nine Oregon counties By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — A bill that would once again allow the use of dogs to hunt cougars in Jackson, Josephine and eight other rural Oregon counties will be introduced soon. Jarod Broadfoot, who represents Safari Clubs International, said the pilot program is designed to assess the impact of elk predation from the growing population of the big cats as a result of Measure 18. But spokeswomen for the Humane Society of the United States and the Sierra Club said it is nothing more than an effort to trash the 1994 initiative approved twice by voters. "In the end," said Sally Mackler of Jacksonville, "it’s an attempt to repeal Measure 18 county by county." Mackler is the wildlife chairwoman for the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club. Advertisement Broadfoot said he hopes to line up 40 sponsors in the House for the bill, but declined to say who the prime sponsors would be. The controversial initiative also banned the use of dogs and bait pits in hunting bears. An initiative by sports groups to repeal the law was rejected in 1996. The bill has not yet been printed, but the Mail Tribune obtained a Legislative Counsel draft. If passed, it would require the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to set up pilot programs in 10 Oregon counties to assess the impact on elk populations if more cougars were taken. Umatilla, Wallowa, Union, Baker, Grant, Douglas, Coos and Curry counties are also included. Other counties could participate after Jan. 1, 2007, by adopting a resolution. The pilot program would end June 30, 2008, at which time ODFW would make an assessment of its findings and recommend a course of action. Broadfoot, who characterized Measure 18 as "ballot box biology," said his proposal represents a modest approach on how best to manage the growing cougar population. "The ultimate goal is to give management tools back to Fish and Game (ODFW)," he said. Broadfoot lashed out at anti-hunting organizations and said sportsmen have done more to repopulate and protect game animals, including cougars, with fees they pay. "How much have the anti-hunting extremists put in? Not one dime," he said. Kelly Peterson, who represents the Humane Society of the United States, said the proposal is "strictly a trophy hunting issue" designed to overturn Measure 18. "At least 20 to 25 bills have been introduced to either weaken or repeal Measure 18," she said. She and Mackler pointed out that the law currently allows the use of dogs when humans and livestock or other property are threatened. Broadfoot acknowledged that dogs can be used for problem cougars, but said ODFW has to hire private agents. And that, he said, makes it a money issue in tough budgetary times. Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s