You're confused. You're hung up on definitions and I'm saying if there
are big cats living in the areas under question they should be left
alone. They certainly are as valuable a resource as any of the rednecks
who live in your area.
I guess the part you don't understand is we are talking about Golden
Gate Estates, a place about as densely populated as where you live. It
is certainly not a wilderness area.
The real problem with the cougars is that they are territorial and the
available territories are already occupied so they are expanding their
range into residential areas. We have the same problem with the bears.
I am sure you would be complaining to someone if a bear broke into
your house looking for a meal.
You might even shoot it if it was between you and the door.
My wife thinks there is a bear of some sort in the woods behind the
house. She saw a "large, brownish/blackish animal, much bigger than a
German shepherd and not a deer" moving quickly back there.
Oh...if a bear was blocking my way to the door, I'd go to another door.
I wouldn't shoot it. I don't walk around the yard "armed."