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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 18, 2007 Bill would OK hunting cougars with canines By Don Jepsen for the Mail Tribune SALEM — A state House committee has scheduled its first hearing on a controversial bill authorizing the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to hire independent agents to hunt problem cougars and bears with dogs. The hearing on House Bill 2971 will be Thursday before the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Arnie Roblin, D-Coos Bay, the chairman, said he will keep an "open mind" on the issue that has animal rights activists up in arms. He said, however, that he believes there are too many cougars in Oregon, with populations probably highest in Southern Oregon. In 1994, voters approved Measure 18 outlawing the use of dogs to track cougars and bears. On the Senate side, a measure has been dropped to open the last three months of the regular cougar season to licensed hunters using dogs. These hunts would be limited to areas where harvest quotas have not been met. The wildlife chair of the Sierra Club, Sally Mackler of Jacksonville, said she was "outraged" at the proposals. Advertisement "This is nothing more than the sports hunting lobby trying to restore hound hunting and bear baiting, despite Measure 18 which voters have passed on twice," she said. "It is reckless, extreme and way over the top." Mackler plans to travel to Salem to testify against HB2971. A hearing on the Senate bill has not been scheduled and it may never be, given the environmental credentials of the Democratic majority. Roblan vowed to keep an open mind on the use of non-ODFW employees in controlling problem animals. "My job as a legislator is to listen to both sides, evaluate the information and come up with a bill that makes good public policy," he said. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has not taken a position on HB2971 which has the strong support of the 11,000-member Oregon Hunters Association. It is the only bill on the committee's agenda Thursday. As populations increase, cougars are being pushed into populated areas. That is creating problem animals that prey on livestock and pets and raises concerns about human safety. Most problem animals appear to be sub-adult males seeking a territory. An important issue as far as Roblan is concerned will be setting qualifications for volunteers hired by the state. "The ODFW will have to recognize that," Roblan said. Senate Bill 702 was introduced by Sen. Larry George, R-Sherwood, at the request of the newly-organized Oregon Sportsmen's Association. George said that while hunting was not his passion, "I am, however, a big defender of hunters." He said he is concerned about the impact of the growing numbers of cougars and their impact on deer and elk populations Glenn Cloyd, Portland, is president of OSA. He said his hunter's group "will fight very hard" to get this legislation. "There is really no way to hunt these animals without dogs," he said. Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary