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Johnson, Bart R. Chinitz, Amy E. 2025-09-04T20:53:33Z 2002-12 https://hdl.handle.net/1794/31699 171 pages Oregon's cougar (Puma concolor) population is the subject of ongoing statewide controversy. Human dimensions of wildlife research suggests that wildlife conflicts are best addressed by incorporating public involvement strategies into wildlife management. This study used traditional survey research to lay the groundwork for more extensive public involvement in cougar management. Questionnaires were mailed to 800 randomly-selected households in southwestern Oregon. The adjusted response rate was 58% (N = 360). The majority of respondents believed that major decisions about cougar management should be made by experts and citizens together. Respondents who had greater prior experience with cougars, higher concern regarding cougars as a potential threat to people, pets, or livestock, or who did not trust wildlife managers to make the best possible decisions were more likely to take part in a public involvement process. The survey results are discussed in terms of their implications for designing inclusive and effective public participation. en_US University of Oregon Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-US Cougar Wildlife research Policy-making Public participation Oregon cougar population Laying the Groundwork for Public Participation in Cougar Mountain: A Case Study of Southwestern Oregon Thesis / Dissertationopen.access