Klamath County trapper

Klamath Falls, Ore. – When ranchers in Klamath County are facing problems with predators, there’s one man they call…the Klamath County Trapper.

Chuck Cleland’s job description is simple, yet complex…

“I protect agriculture, property, from whatever type of wildlife is causing problems.”

Cleland notes those threats can dome in many forms…

“It can be cougar problems.  It can be bird problems.  It can be skunk problems.”

Ranchers say Cleland plays a key role in protecting a 200 million dollar livestock industry in Klamath County.

“That’s cattle.”  Points out Klamath County Predatory Control District Board President David Hill.  “And then you include sheep, and swine, and poultry, and dairy cattle; it’s well over 250 million”

Cleland says he learned his trapping skills early on…

“A lot of it’s just learning it on your own.  I started out fur trapping when I was about 15.”

County funding for the trapper position dwindled to a point 3 years ago where trapper backers held a raffle to raise money to pay Cleland.

But in May, voters passed a measure to fund a Predatory Animal Control District.

“We just breathed a big sigh of relief.”  Says District President Hill.  “That we didn’t have to go before the budget committee year after year.”

And that means stable funding for Cleland.

“I don’t know anybody better.”  States Hill.  “He’s wonderful to work with.”

The Predatory Animal Control District covers most all of Klamath County, but not the city of Klamath Falls.

© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.

Skip to content