Hikers are on high alert following a series of cougar sightings along trails on Mount Hood, as well as near Eugene last weekend. And oh, there's that black bear in Portland's Forest Park, spotted six times. The take-home message: even on popular trails close to town, you might encounter dangerous wildlife. 

Cougar sightings are typically rare. Two weeks ago, a mountain biker reported being chased briefly while riding on the lower section of the Hide and Seek trail of Sandy Ridge, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Two days later, another mountain biker reported a cougar sighting on the upper section of the same trail near a kiosk, just east of Sandy. A third report described a similar incident on the ODFW Facebook page.

“The cougar did not act aggressively, but did not immediately leave the area,” a press release issued by the state agency said.

Are these more sightings than usual? Maybe. Beth Quillian, communications coordinator for ODFW’s northern zone, says that the uptick in sightings could simply correlate to more people out hiking and biking.

In response, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a reminder that nature truly belongs to local animals, and to exercise caution. Their tips:

• Leave Fido at home. It's not just for the dog's safety, but because a pet running free can lead a cougar back to you. If you must, put your pooch on a leash.
• Hike or bike in groups. Keep small children in the middle of those groups, close by.
• No surprises. You know how you hate it when someone silently walks into a room and surprises you? Animals do too. Make noise to alert wildlife of your presence, especially when coming around corners, or when resting quietly.
• Carry a deterrent. Bear spray or pepper spray both work. Just don't bury it at the bottom of your bag where you can't grab it.

If an interaction with a carnivorous mammal heads south, here's the full instructions on what to do. But know that an attack is very unlikely. “Cougars are elusive and its extremely rare to see one. They’re pretty good at not being seen,” Quillian says. “Most of the time, if you see a cougar, it definitely sees you.”

ODFW estimates Oregon’s cougar population at more than 6,400, tipped toward the southwest Cascades (such as the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County) and Eastern Oregon.