GRANT COUNTY – The second entry in the local cougar control contest was shot by bowhunter Laura Verstoppen, 13, of Long Creek.

Laura, who is very proficient with a bow and arrow, used her favorite weapon to take the big cat, organizers said.

Her entry follows one taken earlier by Roy Peterson of Monument.

The cougar contest is sponsored by the Grant County Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association. It is in addition to a statewide cougar contest sponsored by the OHA.

Hunters must be OHA members to enter the county contest. The cougar must be shot by legal means in Grant County, with the kill verified by any Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

The goal is to control an increasing predator population in the county, and curb losses to dwindling deer herds.

The chapter also helps fund aerial shooting of coyotes in problem areas.

Organizers note that the OHA’s efforts in support of wildlife, habitat and hunting cost money, most of which is raised in banquets held around the state.

The Grant County Chapter will hold its fund-raising banquet Saturday, March 1, at the Grant County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Anyone who would like to help or donate to the banquet can contact the chapter.

For information on the cougar conest, call Len Dowdy at 575-0207, or Dean Elliott at 575-0545. For tickets, call these numbers or 575-1007, 575-0660, or 575-0042.