In Oregon the cougar population exploded after they voted to ban the use of dogs when hunting them. They are usually taken incidentally by hunters pursuing other game. It is not unusual for the cougar to be shot while they are sneaking up behind the hunters while they are calling in game. Several years ago a fisherman in Washington with a large salmon flung over his back was pounced by a hungry cat.
Recently Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife announced that they wanted to reduce the population in the state by half (from about 5500 to 2500).