Author Topic: Cougars in the Appalachians (Read 1094 times)

Jackal1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2005, 05:47:54 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
While I cant claim to have ever seen any evidence of a wild Cougar, several times when deer or turkey hunting in Missouri I came across Bobcats. Unlike Mountain Lions, Bobcats are open during deer season in some counties. Cant imagine anyone wanting to kill one. Beautiful animals.

Cougars and Bobkitties aren`t even in the same league. Bobcats along with coyotes and other furbrearing varmints put food on the table for me and my family for 2 winters in the 70s.
I watched a cougar through a 6 to 18 Redfield under a red spotlight one time in the wee hours of the morning for quite some time. Awesome cats.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2005, 05:53:25 AM »

Err, I thought this was common knowledge. I used to see one all the time when I lived back in the woods roughly 6 years ago.

storch · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2005, 09:22:41 AM »

The Florida panther is on the verge of extinction (about 40 in the wild) but if you are quiet in your tree stand you might see one. I did five years ago while hunting out in the holeylands. I didn't know they were ranging that far south into the sawgrass flats. There were reports of neighborhood dogs disappearing in western Miramar/Dade County so they may be back as far south as US 27 and the Turnpike by now.

slimm50 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2005, 09:33:13 AM »

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Originally posted by Reschke
I remember seeing these cats several times in Central Alabama when hunting and when driving home from dates at night. I have seen the brown ones and a few black ones as well in daylight hours while hunting or going to hunt. In each case I have turned and headed back out shortly after the cat has left the area.

Similar to Bodhi I have watched a cougar stalking something while I was hunting. The cat came out into a small opening I was hunting and moved along very close to the ground. It looked right at my tree stand and I swear it stared a hole through me and the tree. Being a young guy I got down from the tree stand and went to the truck shortly after I watched it move over the hill off to my right. From having seen what they could do to pigs I had no wish to be in that stand trying to walk the half mile or so in the dark with just a small flashlight.

Reshke, I grew up hunting the Talladega National Forest in Central Alabama (around Centerville in Bibb County) in the 60's. My grandparents' farm was bordered by the forest. As a young boy (around 10 or 12 y.o.) I saw a cougar once while squirrel hunting, and over the years (from about '59 to about '68) I have seen cougar tracks and skat aplenty. Heavy logging in the area began in the early 70's, so I would be very surprised to see any sign of 'em in that area today.

Seeker · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:14:09 AM »

What's the difference between a cougar and a bob cat? I thought you guys used both names for the same animal?

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:21:18 AM »

Bobcats are about half the size. Cougars, Pumas, Mountain Lions, Panthers, Catamounts, are all the same animal, similar to a Leopard. They've killed 2-3 people here in California over the last ten years.

storch · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:21:20 AM »

Panther = felis concolor

Bobcat= felis rufus

Widgeo · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:27:05 AM »

Speaking of cougars.

majic · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2005, 10:58:59 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widgeo
Speaking of cougars.

That's like a Disney movie. Two unlikely friends on an adventure to save the forest from the evil industrialist. Great stuff.

Widgeo · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:01:52 AM »

I heard that picture was taken by a motion actviated camera setup on a game trail.

majic · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:04:55 AM »

"Based on a true story..."

ra · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:08:39 AM »

Find a mountain lion near you:

http://endeavor.des.ucdavis.edu/nps/speciesinparks.asp?taxa=Mammal&cmastid=W2_1975

rshubert · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:18:38 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by majic
That's like a Disney movie. Two unlikely friends on an adventure to save the forest from the evil industrialist. Great stuff.

I sincerely hope yo are kidding. That deer is about to become what is known in the carnivore world as "food".

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:24:53 AM »

Now that is a funny picture.

SunTracker · « **Reply #29 on:** January 12, 2005, 11:47:46 AM »

I read that there is over 100 panthers in Florida now. The limiting factor now is uninhabited land. Panthers (cougars) need a very large range, and usually need to eat a deer every 7 to 10 days. They can also jump 45 feet horizontally and 15 feet vertically.

Author Topic: Cougars in the Appalachians (Read 1094 times)

storch

storch