House Bill 3153 would change Oregon law governing cougar management and hunting methods. It authorizes a person to use one or more dogs to hunt or pursue cougars on private property owned by that person, or on private property where the owner gives written consent. The bill also preserves existing exceptions for government employees or agents acting in their official capacities and for taking wildlife that is causing damage under current law.
In addition, the bill directs the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to evaluate cougar depredation of livestock, set a threshold for what counts as chronic livestock depredation, and reduce cougar populations when necessary to address that problem. The measure specifically contemplates lethal removal as one tool the commission may use. It also keeps the existing criminal penalty framework for unlawful use of dogs or bait to hunt bears or cougars, including misdemeanor liability and hunting-license suspension for violations.
Impact
The bill would amend ORS 498.164 and add new statutory duties for the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. It would create a new legal exception allowing dog-assisted cougar hunting or pursuit on private property with owner permission, while leaving the general prohibition in place elsewhere. It would also require the commission to assess livestock losses from cougar predation, define chronic depredation, and take population-management action as needed, potentially affecting ranchers, hunters, landowners, and wildlife managers.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a wildlife-management and livestock-protection bill rather than a broadly contested policy change in the available record. Its structure suggests support for expanded cougar control tools and stronger agency response to livestock depredation. No formal voting history or transcript evidence is provided here to show divided sentiment, but the bill’s emphasis on lethal control and dog use indicates it is likely to appeal to hunting and agricultural interests while drawing concern from wildlife-conservation advocates.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the use of dogs to hunt or pursue cougars and the requirement that the commission reduce cougar populations, including through lethal taking, in response to chronic livestock depredation. Supporters would likely argue these provisions protect livestock owners and improve predator management, while opponents may object on animal-welfare, conservation, and fair-chase hunting grounds. Another likely issue is how the commission defines the threshold for “chronic depredation,” since that standard will determine when population reduction measures are triggered.