Potential encounters with any wildlife, and their further habituation, might be reduced if the garbage was set out the morning of pickup rather than left to sit throughout the night. Ordinances mandating such are common here in government-loving Montana. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Of course, problems have to develop before the ordinances are enforced in my home area but you get the point. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Despite the seeming contradiction, cougars do not breed like 'cats'. Females usually don't litter until they are into their third year and, after that, often only once every other year. While litters can be up to six kittens, the norm is two to three.

As for encounters, habitat and hunting -- some think increased conflicts are due to the skewed population of very young cougars caused by excessive hunting. Obviously this is location/cougar-population dependent and varies with each area. But one thing is certain, unless the population is hunted to below sustainability, almost any species will expand its numbers to fill an empty, but otherwise (more) suitable habitat. The varmint control programs against the coyote is a case in point. On the other hand, habitat change from drought, fire, human-encroachment, etc., not only can cause the range of a species to seemingly expand but also cause an increase in encounters.

FB