[MUHunter]

Talked to Dad a few days ago and he said two different ladies had claimed to see a mountain lion within the last couple of weeks not far from our hunting ground. Both were driving and said a big cat with a four foot long tail jumped across the road in front of them. The husband of the one lady was quite skeptical until today on his way into town for lunch he saw it too. Same place as his wife. Said it wasn't overly big, maybe like 60 lbs (he compared it to his dog) but had a tail that was as long as his body. A friend was gonna go put up a game came in this fence row that leads to the road in hopes he can get a pic. These two sightings are 1/4 mile from our west fenceline. We got our cam out too but doubt we could get that lucky either!

This will be interesting to see if he is still around come bow season

 

[Big Time Hunter]

Let us know what you find. Last year during spring turkey season both my cousins claimed to have heard a loud growl two morings in a row. We never saw sign of a big cat, but they both claimed they heard something that sounded like a big cat growl.

BTH

 

[danceswithbooze]

Originally posted by Big Time Hunter
Let us know what you find. Last year during spring turkey season both my cousins claimed to have heard a loud growl two morings in a row.

Most mornings I spend in a tree stand I hear loud growls....but usually it is just my belly telling me to pay it some attention...

 

[67Firebird]

I hope a car hits it.

 

[PMan]

We dont have them in issouri-----

 

[PMan]

Cougars and Mountain Lions

Cougars and mountain lions are actually the same animal. These beautiful creatures inspire awe and fear in campers and hikers everywhere. Do you know what the most dangerous animal in North America is?

* On average, 12 people a year die as a result of attacks by this animal. Children account for 60 percent of all victims.
* Almost 4.5 million people injured each year
* Almost 800,000 of these injuries require medical attention
* Children are more likely to need medical treatment if bitten

What is this deadly animal?It's a dog.Most people are not afraid of dogs but are terrified of mountain lions. Your children are in far more danger from the dogs in the campground. Mountain lions are dangerous, but please try to keep this danger in perspective!
Mountain Lion attack statistics

There have been 10 deaths caused by mountain lions in the United States from 1890 to today. Five of these deaths have taken place in the last 10 years. It is clear that this problem is increasing. It is still more likely that you will be struck by lightening than be attacked by a cougar. Why are attacks on the rise? There are several reasons why mountain lion attacks are on the rise. There are more mountain lions. At one time mountain lions were quite scarce due to hunting. Many areas are now protecting the mountain lion from hunters and this is causing an increase in the mountain lion population. As mountain lions become more populous their range areas are also increasing. The population of humans is also on the rise. More and more people are recreating in the outdoors. Fitness is also much more popular than it once was and this has also contributed to an increase in the number of people recreating outdoors.

Both of these factors have brought humans and cougars into the same areas and have forced interaction between man and cat. Mountain lions are relatively harmless in most situations - if you know what to do! The wrong behavior from you or your children could initiate an attack that could easily be avoided with a little mountain lion know-how.

How to avoid or prevent a mountain lion attack

* STOP! DO NOT RUN FROM A LION. Back away from it slowly, but only if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
* STAY CALM when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly, yet firmly to it.
* DO NOT APPROACH A LION, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
* >DO NOT JOG OR HIKE ALONE. Make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea: you can use it to ward off a lion.
* KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU, making sure they are always within your sight. Talk to them about lions and tell them what to do if they meet one.
* DO NOT CROUCH OR BEND OVER; DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they won't panic and run. IF THE LION BEHAVES AGGRESSIVELY, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can grab without crouching or turning your back.
* FIGHT BACK and try to stay on your feet if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven off by prey that fights back!

The Lion I met

I have encountered a mountain lion while hiking. I was carrying my one year old in a baby backpack and was resting on the trail. My husband had hiked on ahead to see if the trail was safe for a person carrying a baby backpack.

We left the trail head quite early in the morning and were almost 4 miles from the trail head with nobody in site. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye (I never heard a thing) and turned. I saw a mountain lion about 200 feet up the trail from me.

I initially froze. I knew all of the 'rules' for encountering a mountain lion - but it was pretty scary just the same! The mountain lion had stopped on the trail and was looking at me. I stood up as tall as I could (I'm only 5'1" - but I did what I could) I was preparing to wave my arms and yell loudly when the lion turned away from me and disappeared into the brush.

I reported the incident to park personnel. There were few sitings in the park (due to the incredible numbers of visitors this park has) but a mountain lion had been sited in the same area I had been in on a few occasions.

This experience was a bit alarming but I don't feel that I was in any danger. I just practiced the safety rules I had been taught and the lion went away.

This siting took place at Arches National Park on the 'Devils Garden' trail on the primitive loop just past the Double O arch.
Links to mountain lion web pages

Mountain Lion - a great page by Desert USA The California Mountain Lion Association Mountain Lions by Gajji - A school report with basic info on mountain lions

If you do encounter a cougar be sure to report your siting to park personnel!

 

[Chairman]

Originally posted by Plasticman

How to avoid or prevent a mountain lion attack:

DO NOT JOG OR HIKE ALONE. Make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion.

Which is the problem when hunting ~ we sneak into the woods, to avoid detection by the game we're hunting...

As far as carrying a sturdy walking stick, to ward off the lion ~ well, my sturdy "walking stick" just so happens to shoot deadly lead "medicine".

Our neighbor held their annual fish fry yesterday, and there was a lot of talk about mountain lion sightings in our area. So far, 2 neighbors have lost calves, and one horse was attacked. Thankfully, the horse wasn't taken down, but a lot of damage was done to the horse's hind quarters.

Plus, one neighbor was hunting during the Spring turkey season, had some turkey's coming in, and all of a sudden the turkey's split, putting all the way. He couldn't figure out why...until another hunter, who was hunting the same area, had watched the mountain lion circle around behind the hunter (at the same time the turkey's he was hunting panicked), told him what he had witnessed. He never knew what spooked the turkey's, until the other hunter told him what he saw. Talk about the hair standing up on the back of his neck!

 

[bowhuntershan]

i am glad to hear mountain lion are on the comeback i guess but it is true you are more likely to attacked by a dog.

 

[huntforfunnfood]

man i want to see it too op:

 

[FiremanBrad]

Originally posted by huntforfunnfood
man i want to see it too op:

LOL.....me too...seems everybody and there brother has seen one but me...as much time as I spend in the woods...danged if I know

 

[elkhnter]

I live in colorado and we have alot of mt. lions, I have only seen one in 20 years of hunting............have to remember also that an adult lion kills over 50 deer a year, so I wouldnt be to happy to have them coming back in your area

 

[Bowpredator]

I think those statistics are a bit skewed. You are probably more likely to be bit by a dog if you live in the city and never go out in the sticks. If on the other hand you are like one of us and spend several days a week out in the wilderness, then you have probably increased YOUR chances tremendously. I'm like Chairman, my walking stick is on my hip and it will work better than throwing sticks and rocks and sure will make a heck of a lot more noise if it comes down to it. The way I see it, if I run accross one in the woods, by the time I get my gun drawn, hammer ****ed, and sights on him, if he is still there, then he is already showing me signs of aggression because he hasnt already hauled :***: . At that point, I will take the shot instead of waiting for a possible charge and trying to shoot him when he is at full speed straight at me. I'll deal with any complications afterward, that is, if I am stupid enough to tell anyone.