I remember several years ago when hunting cougars with hounds was outlawed in our state.  There were some people who were relieved, because hunting with hounds is perceived as cruel, but many more were outraged.  Hunting cougars without the use of hounds is nearly impossible, and creates a greater danger to the hunters.

You may be thinking that it’s a good thing we can’t hunt cougars, but if you have ever lived in an area frequented by cougars, you might have a different opinion.  The first time you read a story about a child being taken out of his backyard by a cougar will likely get you thinking at least, if not changing your mind about hunting cougars.

No animal should be eradicated by hunting, but controlling populations is a good idea in some cases.  Cougar visits in a remote homestead are to be expected – we cannot expect them to stay away when we continue to encroach on their territory -- but when they start coming into small towns and communities, something should be done to stop them. 

Hunting with hounds is a sport to many, but it is a useful sport that dates back to when we actually needed to hunt in order to survive.  It may seem cruel, but in some cases, it is the only way to deal with the very real threat a predator like the cougar poses.

Cougars that move into populated areas should be removed in whatever way is necessary.  Most of us don’t want to read another story of the child who loses his life to this fierce predator, and those headlines are not as uncommon as you might think.