Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar

In the Cascade Mountains, Charlie the cougar loses his mother as a cub. Jess Bradley discovers the orphan cub, takes him in, and begins raising him as part of his life. The bond between Charlie and Jess lays the foundation for his early years.

Charlie grows up in the logging camp environment, learning to navigate the woods and the humans around him. He plays with a black bear cub and visits Potlatch for snacks, forming a loose circle of friends. These early experiences mold his instincts and sense of home.

At Potlatch's logging camp, Charlie’s nemesis is a Smooth Fox Terrier named Chainsaw who taunts him and stirs trouble. Their rivalry triggers a string of mishaps around the camp, including a wrecked kitchen and a dangerous river ride as part of the crew. The tension between them foreshadows bigger trouble ahead.

The mischief costs the lumber company money, and Charlie is fired and tethered to keep him from causing more damage. He overhears workers planning a log-standing contest, which gives him a glimmer of chance to prove himself. The episode ends with Charlie sidelined, awaiting his next move.

Charlie enters the log-standing contest, hoping to reclaim his place. Chainsaw distracts him, causing him to lose focus and tumble into the water. The boss ultimately ends the contest and orders everyone back to work.

With the competition over, the boss confines Charlie, keeping him at home in a cage to prevent further trouble. Jess is unable to reverse the decision, and the distance between them grows. The cage marks a turning point toward a harsher wilderness ahead.

While Charlie remains caged, Jess moves forward in life and finds a girlfriend, eventually getting engaged. The household settles into a quieter routine, though the bond with Charlie remains a constant undercurrent. This personal milestone contrasts with Charlie’s confinement.

Charlie hears a distant call from a female cougar and seizes the opportunity to break free and explore. They share a brief moment in the wild, testing his restraint. The encounter turns sour when she won’t share a meal she has caught.

Seeking food, Charlie finds a free meal from a farmer milking cows, triggering chaos across the farm. The scene unleashes panic among animals and a chase from concerned locals. The farm incident pushes Charlie deeper into a wilder, less controllable life.

Charlie spends the summer hunting to survive, growing more wild and wary. A pack of dogs takes up the hunt for him, forcing him to rely on his instincts and stealth. The pursuit hardens his resolve to stay alive in the wild.

To shake the dog pack, Charlie slides down a log flume and rides it toward the camp, only to crash into bushes and slide back toward familiar ground. He survives, but his feral instincts are now deeply ingrained. He drifts back toward the logging camp, seeking shelter and a way forward.

Chainsaw corners Charlie, forcing a frantic chase that ends with Charlie trapped in a lift on the ground. The boss's men are prepared to shoot him, but Jess arrives just in time to rescue his companion. The close call marks the end of Charlie’s confinement and signals a drastic turning point.

With little choice, Jess releases Charlie back into the wild—but into a nature preserve where predators and dogs are protected from hunting. Charlie adapts to a safer, contained wild life within the preserve. The move preserves his life while restraining his freedom.

Within the preserve, Charlie finds the same female cougar and the pair establish a quiet, enduring life together. His wildness is tempered by safety, and they inhabit the protected landscape in peace. The film closes on a hopeful note of companionship and adaptation.