Oregon Cougars

[jessmessner]

We are gathering signatures to get cougar hunting with dogs legalized in Oregon again. Cougars are overpopulated in Oregon and most numbers indicated that there are double the amount of cougars than is sustainable. The deer populations in Eastern Oregon are at 50% or less of what they are being managed for. If any of you could help gather signatures or have advice for us as we fight for Oregon sportsman please let me know.
jess@jessmessner.com

[RandTMcKnight]

I live here in Burns and I talk to alot of Ranchers most of them all feel the same way they want the cougars managed. I spoke with a man that is on the Steens Mountain Council he said that this time of year the deer population should be around 32,000, it is currently under 12,000. So they're hiring a Government hunter to come in and take 50 cougars. I suggested letting us run them with dog's and his reply was "that's illegal" I said yeah that is a silly idea instead of the Government making some money off of tags and what not they would rather spend it.

[cobalt]

Someone needs to file a law suit against the ODF&W if their goverment hunter is using dogs to catch the 50 lions! The law does't exemplify Govt. hunters(especially if the lion isn't a stock killer). If we can't hunt them with dogs, neither can they. Let's see how many they can catch with traps! They've already killed a pile of lions in the Beullah Unit in the last couple years using dogs! They also use dogs in all their studies. How is that legal?! The anti's have blocked the people from using dogs because of humane issues, how does the govt. hunter escape these issues? This would put the ODF&W in a real corner as far as managing lions. Take away their tools and the Governor will have a real quandry. The people should not vote on management issues. Use the anti's weapons against themselves. Ballot measure 18 &36 were enacted on emotion not science!

[RandTMcKnight]

I agree, the state is having budget issues so why would they use the little money we have to pay someone to hunt the lions when they could actually make some money by selling tags?

[Buddyw]

How is that legal?!

When the Anti's Drafted Measure 18 they specifically excluded the state from. so it is leagal. maybe not ethical, It's damn sure not Right.. But it's Leagal.

Anyways.. You can print out a signature form here.

Click here for Cougar Signature form

They need 1000 signatures to get the Ballot Title, I think 1000 Signatures will be easy if all of the Oregon folks buckle down and commit to getting One or two Forms filled out.

Here is my Challenge to people.

First Tell us How many signatures you'll go and get Pick a reasonable number 10,20..(commit)

Go get them

Then come back here and Let us know How many you got and that you got them turned in. Let's Put the pressure on the next guy to follow through

I'd like to know Just from this site alone how many we could get just by spreading the word....

If 100 Guys, get 10 signatures that's the 1000 needed. So let's make this happen.

Let's see who is about talking and bitching and who is willing to do something..

I'm going to check and see if I can collect signatures even if I'm a WA resident, If I can I'll get one sheet (10 signatures of Oregon residents) If I can't I'll get a Friend to do it for me.

So mark me down for 10. I'll come back here and tell you I'm sending 20 in Next week..

Buddy

[cobalt]

I was actively involved in 1996 ballot measure 36 and the petition to the Ag commitee several years later and while the effort was noble, there was no way the liberal state of affairs in Or. will let you get anywhere. They will probably just cut down your tag quotas to compensate. An offensive attack, like a law suit, in my opinion, is what is needed to set a president. Make an attack, like the anti's do. It does not have to be rational, just effective. I know there was an effort a few years ago and it failed. Something about having 2 propositions on one ballot measure being illegal. I am not in Or. anymore, but am still patriotic to the hunting community there. You think the deer and elk pops are bad now, wait till the wolves move in. If it is legal for the govt hunter or contract hunters to use dogs, make it illegal!

[griff]

put me down for 20

[Buddyw]

Thanks Griff At least there is One other person who is willing to commit to do something..


I'm sure if this was a let's Talk about what other poeple should do thread it would surely be on Fire by now...

[RandTMcKnight]

If I can get the form printed out I should be able to get 30-40 at least, Big game such as elk and deer are really diminishing around here.

[The Vise]

All it requires is a signature? I dont live in Oregon but my dad and brothers do. I just got back from deer hunting with them this weekend over there. Has been too long since i spent some good time in the evergreens! I'll print out a form and send it to my dad. He isnt a real proactive kind of guy but I am sure if I stay on him i can get about 50 signatures out of him.

[The Vise]

i just printed the form out. Ok I figured i could just have them get all their frinds and co workers to sign but since they all have to be registered my number commitment was probably a little bold. Ill commit to 20

[mohawk]

my first commitment is 20 but I will not just stop there, I would hope and prey that any true houndsman that loves their hunting [ deer elk pronghorn sheep goat ] will get up off their @%$ and get as many signitures as they possibly can

[griff]

dropped off 20 today and got forms for 30 more

[irondave]

jess,another good org.would be your local stock growers aasoc,good luck and dont give up the fight thanx dave

[jessmessner]

Thanks for the suggestions.
As for the lawsuit... Maybe we can try that next. The problem with a lawsuit is the other side can tie it up in the courts indefinitely.
This measure is what is happening now. Please collect the signatures so we can get them turned in.