Concerns - Like most of our continent's large predators, the cougar was systematically eliminated from much of its range during the early part of this century. In protected areas such as Olympic National Park, however, cougars have made a comeback. Their presence in Olympic is an indication of the park's wildness. Medium tawny brown in summer, gray-brown in winter with white patches on throat, inside of legs and rump just under tail. Tail is dark brown to black.
Fawns have conspicuous white spots through their first summer.
Range - Pacific Northwest west of the Cascade Mountains. As the snow melts away from the high-country meadows and forests, the deer move upslope for the summer to feed on juicy meadow plants. Deer, like any wild animals, are unpredictable and people have been seriously injured by the sharp hooves of a startled or frightened deer. Brown with a sharply defined tan rump patch. Darker around neck, head, legs and belly.