Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

[Bubba1235]

Behind my property, just over the fence, the state has a nice sized pond that they have been stocking with bass. A buddy came by and wanted to check it out so we went to look around and what we found shocked me. A paw print from a full sized Cougar/mountain lion. I was skeptical so we had the DNR guys out and sure enough, it is a mountain lion and they say they have been aware of it in the area for several months! Gee, thanks for the heads up guys!!!

My wife loves to take our dog through the area on her daily walk about and now I need to tell her about the possibility of running into a big cat, or our dog getting its sign and going off to investigate. She is not going to be happy, not at all. Of course I'll tell her the cat is probably more afraid of her than she is of it but the truth is, its a wild animal and you never know, especially with a large dog along to stir the pot. Bob cats are fairly common in the area and she has sort of gotten used to them but a cougar is a whole other thing.

Oh yeah, the guys from the DNR asked me not to say anything becasue the local farmers may decide the only good cougar is a dead and mounted cougar. I told them forget it, people have a right to know. Sorry but if it attacked a small child I'd never forgive myself.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

I don't think you have to worry about it attacking dogs or people as long as it has a good food source.

 

[rbh]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

Around here the cougar sits at the top of the food chain, not man
On Vancouver island they have a huge issue of cougars in and around suburban areas, and one is spotted there is almost an amber alert sent out to the schools.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sourc...rrGUDQ&usg=AFQjCNHb4BTbaZCnT_-QPnMcRyPXTGCaXA

 

[robert graham]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

A Cougar/Mountain Lion/Panther will attack people especially if she had young ones around. I'd be looking for a different place to walk or at least carry a pistol. I believe folks out west in Oregon, Washington State, etc. have more incidents with these big cats than us, but there's probably a lot more of them out there. Those DNR guys were dead wrong to tell you not to warn your neighbors. I'd be real sorry, but I'd shoot that big cat in a heartbeat!...Better him than me or my family!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

Wonder if a hand held boat air horn would change it's mind if it got too close?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

Wonder if a hand held boat air horn would change it's mind if it got too close?

A horn might be better than a stick or a rock, but pepper spray or mace or a pistol might help...only problem, if one of these cats comes at you, might have 2 or 3 seconds to defend yourself, and by then he's already ripped you a new one! I've heard that pepper spray works great on bears!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

I've never even seen sign of one around here, though I know they're in the general area. I would think a boat horn would help - but a 9mm would help more.

 

[mscher]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

It's been 40 years, since DDT has been banned. The rest of the food chain, is staging a nice comeback and the mountain lion is at the top of it!

I expect to see them become more common, in many areas.

 

[CR CRUISER]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

A horn might be better than a stick or a rock, but pepper spray or mace or a pistol might help...only problem, if one of these cats comes at you, might have 2 or 3 seconds to defend yourself, and by then he's already ripped you a new one! I've heard that pepper spray works great on bears!

It only helps against black bears. Grizzlies consider it to be a condiment for when they eat you.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

It only helps against black bears. Grizzlies consider it to be a condiment for when they eat you.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

There was one around here a few years back--MDWF will never acknowledge the presence for some reason. About 15 years ago I saw one in Red Bay Al while coyote hunting. They have a range of up to 300 miles or so I think--I'm sure they are in places no one would ever think.

 

[jonboat2]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

One word .357 MAGNUM which also shoots .38 special.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

One word .357 MAGNUM which also shoots .38 special.

Try at least 44mag with 275grain cor-bon--or 30-378 from 500yrds

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

LOL Great one!!

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

Have you considered one of these? What you do with the bad kitty after you catch him is up to you,

 

[sschefer]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

I don't think you have to worry about it attacking dogs or people as long as it has a good food source.

That's the ticket. I've had a big girl behind my house for a couple of years now. It's natures way of keeping the turkey and dear population in check. I like having her around and if she attacks someone, well that's sorta what natures all about too. When I was in the Navy I made a deal with the sharks. I told them I wouldn't swim in their toliet if they didn't swim in mine. So far that's worked out pretty well.

I do understand your concern and I have to admit I was concerned the first time I saw this cat but after a while she just became part of the neighborhood and your's will too. She won't bother the dog's unless the dog's threaten her and that won't happen unless she gets sick. I'd bet the one you have is a female too, males don't really roam much.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

Dogs are used to track and run the cats out west, once treed the cat will attack the dog if the dog climbs the tree. Yes, it does happen.

If the cat has food, it likely won't attack anything that can fight back.
If it runs out of food, it will likely move on before attacking a dog.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

We have had these introduced into Ottawa Wildlife Refuge about 10 years ago, So far no trouble but the 270 is at the ready if they start hunting inside the MHP. Have had to take a few cyotes down when they got brave. Why does the goverment not think when introducing these creatures into poulated areas?

 

[woodsyfeller]

Re: Oh man, the wife is gonna have a fit.

You should only really need to be worried about a cougar if its to old to catch anything on it own. ie to old to catch a deer,teeth worn down ect. if the neighborhood small dogs and cats start disappearing then be concerened.


We got a few that run up and down a wooded corridor next our house ,kinda creeps me out when I walk outside in the middle of the night.


Just remember you dont need to be concerned about the animals you hear in the woods ,only the ones that are silently stalking you!