Ore. hunters report being stalked by cougars Stories of hunters being stalked by cougars in northeastern Oregon have raised concerns that the big cats may be losing their fear of humans. Sebastian Combs, a 28-year-old ranch hand from Haines, reported being stalked by a cougar along the North Powder River. And bow hunter Chad Davis of Hermiston killed a cougar with an arrow after the cat came within 15 yards of him. The state's fish and wildlife department says the cougar population has doubled to 6,000 since 1994, the year hunting them with hounds was banned. Cougar populations in northeastern Oregon are especially thick, and many complaints have come from cattlemen, sheep ranchers and people with pets that have been killed by cougars. Hunters killed 308 cougars statewide last year - up from 288 in 2006.