Farm Watch December 2022

Farming close to the wilderness has its own difficulties.

In early November, we spent a week visiting family in a neighboring state while a few friends kept an eye on the homestead. The trip was its own adventure and all went well on both fronts. Or so it seemed at first on our arrival home. On the eve of our return to Randle, we said hello to all our critters and conducted a head count of our sheep to ensure we received a restful slumber. The counting had to be conducted a second and third time as we kept coming up short on the number of our little sheep flock in the dim light of dusk.

Now most of our critters are made up of rescues and have-nots with the exception of our Jacob Sheep. As for the formation of that unique flock, we had spent several days traveling the state with our daughter to find our perfect flock of heritage Jacob Sheep the prior year. The search included traveling hundreds of miles with a visit to differing farms and multiple genealogical perspectives, then spending a tangible amount of cash for just the right specimens. At the end of our family quest our little sheep flock consisted of one ram and six little ewes.

On that evening as we walked our way across the meadow and into the marshy area, a feeling of dread filled our souls. We took steps to avoid exploring only the perimeter of the fence and reconnoitering the entire area with growing trepidation. Along the third section of the fence line, hidden from open view, we found our little lost sheep. A cougar had taken advantage of our absence to prey upon the flock while the protective shepherds were away. Three of our breeding ewes lay dead at our feet with a fourth having been carried over the fence to be devoured. The Game Warden visited our little farm and confirmed that this was indeed a cougar kill. He speculated that it was a young tom that worked himself into a killing frenzy or a mom teaching her cubs the art of predation.

The devastation of losing four of our six breeding ewes takes a hard toll on the heart and mind. We would later learn of a neighbor only a few miles away as the crow flies, who had also lost an entire flock of sheep to the same predator.

This little scenario is a reminder to the light of heart how closely we live to the edge between the supposed light of civilization and the potential darkness of nature.

Location of cougar activity: Judd Rd Randle, WA