There really is a 'Fast Food Freddy'

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, AKA "Fast Food Freddy" the cougar and no, I do not wave my .44 Smith &Wesson wildly about, spraying bullets. I am a responsible person who knows how, when and where to shoot. I do not care for random killing but I am prepared to defend myself, family "kitties" and neighbors.

Next statement is a fact with witnesses. I have placed five shots in a six-inch group at 1,000 yards, five-eighths of a mile with a rifle. I do believe I could mortally wound a 100-pound cougar at four feet with my .44.

At one time I was the only female range officer at the Roseburg Rod & Gun Club rifle range. People have been comparing cougar notes on the North Umpqua. Fast Freddy has been seen downriver at Honey Creek, then at Rock Creek. I was told today that there are four cougars in the hills behind Glide.

Enjoy the forest, take home your trash, and be careful.

<b>Phyllis Simpson</b>

<i>Idleyld Park</i>