08/28/2026
We live in an amazing area in close proximity to recreation and beautiful forests. Because of this, there are times when we may encounter cougars. By taking a few simple precautions we can help prevent cougar conflict:
🌙 Keep your property well lit, especially walkways, and keep pets indoors from dusk to dawn.
🦌 Don’t attract prey, avoid feeding wildlife or feral cats, and consider limiting deer-friendly landscaping. Where deer go, cougars might follow.
🐐 Protect livestock, keep goats, sheep, and chickens in secure enclosures, preferably away from forest edges.
🏡 Eliminate hiding places, close off spaces beneath decks and porches.
🗑️ Secure the garbage, use tight-fitting lids to prevent attracting animals and put your trash out the morning of trash pick-up, not the night before (this also helps to prevent bear conflict).
Remember that predators follow prey. By reducing the food and shelter that attract wildlife around our homes, we can help reduce the likelihood of cougar conflicts. Go to www.wdfw.wa.gov for more valuable information!
Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
