Criticism increasing over cougar shot and killed at South Health Campus

[Resolute 14]

Betting the only interaction most of the criticizers have had with cougars has come from the safe side of an exhibit at the zoo.

As Dan said, it's easy to be smug and superior when you're three storeys up and protected by glass.

[Madman]

You mean the know-it-alls saying they "tranq'ed" him don't actually know it all? Yes, they deliver tranquilizers via 12 gauge slugs at close range.

Don't tranq me bro.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Should have just given it some weed and named it Steve

[Otto-matic]

The people who are complaining about officials killing the cougar would probably swap sides real fast if the cougar killed someone.

Its sad to see the cougar get shot but like everyone else said it'll just come back and pose a threat again.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

would rather it be one head shot and done, Amateurs.

ok there FPS Doug

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I have more of a problem with them taking 3 shots to put it down. Obvious to me that it should be put down, I just hate seeing things suffer.

I have hunted since I was 12, just think the right gun should be used and would rather it be one head shot and done, Amateurs.

Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with you on this one on a few points, and to be 100% honest, if you've been hunting since you were 12, and are older than 16, I don't think I should have to point out the following:


1) The "right gun" for a cougar is going to be some sort of rifle. Using a rifle in a populated area is a bad idea. Missing at that range is obviously going to be difficult, but when you're in a populated area, I'd much rather they err on the side of caution. The potential to harm people in the area should something go wrong, is much lower with a shotgun (I assume with slugs) or a pistol

2) Going for a headshot is a bad idea. If you're doing that when you are hunting, I'd be much more inclined to put the "Amateur" label on you rather than these guys who are, by definition, professionals. These guys are doing exactly what a proficient hunter would do, they are shooting for center of mass/vitals, and not shooting for a much smaller target.

Had this been in a forest somewhere, you can bet they would have handled it differently, and yeah, it would have been nice if the circumstances allowed for them to act differnetly, use different tools, and kill the cat more quickly, but I can assure you what these guys did was by no means "Amateur".

[Hatter]

What else were they going to do? Wrestle it? Ask it kindly to leave?

Cougars are beautiful animals but the safety of the officers and the public comes first. If their expertise gives them reason to believe that destroying it is in everyone's best interest, so be it.

[shermanator]

The only cougars I've interacted with were at Ranchman's, so I'm not qualified to comment on the subject.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I have more of a problem with them taking 3 shots to put it down. Obvious to me that it should be put down, I just hate seeing things suffer.

I have hunted since I was 12, just think the right gun should be used and would rather it be one head shot and done, Amateurs.

No one who has hunted much at all would ever say that.

I don't think playing Call of Duty can be considered hunting.

EDIT: ** I see I'm not the first to point this out **

[Hockeyguy15]

You don't screw around with cougars, they are quite the formidable animal.

Unfortunate they had to kill it but if the cougar was this comfortable around people then it's more than likely it's been around for a while. Only a matter of time before something went bad and someone got hurt.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

You don't screw around with cougars, they are quite the formidable animal.

People has no idea of the size and strenght of these animals.

Spoiler!

It is sad it was killed, but we aren't talking about a kitty here.

[Locke]

They should have let it into the hospital and fed it the fishsticks from the cafeteria. That would have solved the problem.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with you on this one on a few points, and to be 100% honest, if you've been hunting since you were 12, and are older than 16, I don't think I should have to point out the following:


1) The "right gun" for a cougar is going to be some sort of rifle. Using a rifle in a populated area is a bad idea. Missing at that range is obviously going to be difficult, but when you're in a populated area, I'd much rather they err on the side of caution. The potential to harm people in the area should something go wrong, is much lower with a shotgun (I assume with slugs) or a pistol

2) Going for a headshot is a bad idea. If you're doing that when you are hunting, I'd be much more inclined to put the "Amateur" label on you rather than these guys who are, by definition, professionals. These guys are doing exactly what a proficient hunter would do, they are shooting for center of mass/vitals, and not shooting for a much smaller target.

Had this been in a forest somewhere, you can bet they would have handled it differently, and yeah, it would have been nice if the circumstances allowed for them to act differnetly, use different tools, and kill the cat more quickly, but I can assure you what these guys did was by no means "Amateur".

Exactly, and it seemed as the high grass and it laying down excluded the high power scoped option, so they had to approach with handguns and a shotgun in case it lunged.

[Muta]

Killing a cougar is a little excessive. I would have just gave it a bunch of wine and called a cab in the morning.

[Thor]

Your MOM is a little excessive!

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Muta

Killing a cougar is a little excessive. I would have just gave it a bunch of wine and called a cab in the morning.

Not always an option, sometimes the husband shows up

[JMN]

I'm disgusted that people are calling and threatening these officers and other private wildlife control companies who had nothing to do with this.

100% behind the officers here.

[Huntingwhale]

Sucks the cougar was killed. At the very least, it's meat should be harvested and eaten.

[psicodude]

^ Wouldn't a cougar be like 99% muscle? Super gross to eat, I would assume.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by pylon

They did attempt to tranquilize it, and it lunged at them.

Oh. Well I still don't like it.