Animals around the Basin: Final thoughts about cougars

A few more thoughts about cougars are necessary. These animals could be anywhere at any time. Now, don’t let me put the fear of life into you and your family, but, as we discussed yesterday, be cougar aware.

A cougar has never been in my view, but it would be great to see one. Better yet, a cougar tag is in my wallet every fall.

A friend shot a cougar several years ago. He gave me a roast. It was cooked and eaten. It tasted great.

A concern about eating cougar or bear is trichinosis. This is a disease people can contract by eating raw or undercooked meat from these big game animals infected with a parasite.

My professional meat cutting friends have told me to bring the carcass of a bear or cougar to them and they will check for trichinosis. This hunter understands any animal which eats meat, such as cougar, bear and pigs can get this disease.

Of course, pigs are controlled these days to the point where trichinosis is seldom or ever found. Still, cooks are instructed to cook pork, bear and cougar well done.

The summer after high school, the summer of 1965, found me helping at a ranch on the shore of Lake Cle Elum owned by Mary and Jim Spidell. There was a commotion just outside my window, one rainy evening.

There was snarling and screaming, such as a woman screaming, as an animal or two ran past my cabin. Jim was outside my door with his rifle and my rifle was in my hand as we both tried to figure out what was happening.

A neighbor said he had seen a cougar jump across the road a few days later. We ended up with the theory an older cougar was chasing a deer when both animals ran past my window.

The Lake Lenore Caves are a “must see” for all families living or visiting the Columbia Basin. It takes a little effort to visit the caves, but they are interesting and educational.

While on such a trip, keep the youngsters close and don’t let them run ahead and out of sight. There could be a cougar out there, but, even more common, a rattlesnake may be encountered.

A group of 20 adults and children, followed me to the caves a few years ago. All were cautioned about cougars and snakes. We didn’t see a cougar, but one of the adults called to me and asked, “what is that?”

It was a large rattlesnake, crossing a small trail just off the larger main trail. A shovel, a spade, is in my hands when heading into rattlesnake country. This allows me to simply pick up the snake, at a safe distance, and deposit it well off my travel direction. The spade will also help in a puma encounter.

A handgun is on me when traveling in cougar country, which won’t be used unless the animal is about to jump me or people with me.

Next Monday: Animals around the Basin: Deer.