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Post by Chas062 on Nov 14, 2005 20:27:52 GMT -5
So the New York State Department of Enviromental Conservation (DEC) say "cougars do not exist in Western New York area". While there has been a number of sightings recently in the Erie County area and the DEC still denies it.
A couple of days ago three young men were bow hunting for deer and they decided to move a ladder stand, when they pulled their pickup into the grass field they noticed something laying in the field possible a coyote or red fox, with the binoculars they were amazied to see it was a cougar, fortunately one of the men had a video camera and as the first cat moved into the trees they noticed a 2nd smaller cat about 80-100 yards away sitting on its haunches. they filmed this one and as it got up and left the area you can plainly see it is a cougar about 3-4feet long. Unfortunately he did not film it too long and it also went into the tree's. Watching the clip over and over again and having many people view it everyone seems to believe it is indeed a cougar. So not only is there one in the area there are two..
Two weeks ago there was a cougar sighting approx 7miles from here where one was seen by a hunter while turkey hunting.
Sooo DEC please admit they are in the area so people and small children can be aware and take precautions!!!!!
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Post by Swede on Jan 16, 2006 3:50:19 GMT -5
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Post by jjw on Jan 17, 2006 21:23:16 GMT -5
I know when I was younger and early 80's (I leave that to your imagination) there were several cougar sightings around the little town in central MN that I grew up. Now it is fairly common knowledge among those that care or have seen, that we have them, but still something not readily recognized by the DNR and others.
I also recall a Timberwolve being killed by a car in central MN about 6 years or so ago, and that was something that many were shocked by, as they don't tend to travel so far south.
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Post by getonit on Oct 4, 2006 19:21:39 GMT -5
back about 15 years ago I was hunting in southern Missouri- My dad had killed and dressed a buck the evening before and when we passed the remains the next day I saw some tracks-upon closer examination I told the other guys they were bear tracks-and got laughed at! I was sure but as no one living there had spotted a bear for over 20 years -they wern't there! the following day after about 1/2 the guys left for home I still had a tag to fill and decided to stay and hunt- I was nestled down in a brush pile looking out over a clear area leading to a valley about a mile from the tracks - and got a good view of the bear that wasnt there!... He came about 200yds away and stood up on his hind legs looking my way- I didnt think there was any way he could have spotted me but he turned tail and made like someone lit his tail afire ;D -I still had a tough time convincing the neighbor that there was a bear- but It did just make me more skittish walking in to my stand a 4 am knowing there IS a bear  ... Rick |
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Post by RAF on Oct 4, 2006 22:02:30 GMT -5
We've had reports of a cougar on the southern outskirts of our city. There are lots of deer in the area and that likely what's attracting the cougar but residents are worried about their children.
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Post by DannoBoone on Nov 19, 2006 20:13:32 GMT -5
We've had reports of a cougar on the southern outskirts of our city. There are lots of deer in the area and that likely what's attracting the cougar but residents are worried about their children. Sooner or later, someone's kid WILL fall prey down here in the lower 48 to one of these cougar's that aren't OFFICIALLY here. My wife photographed a cougar print in creek sand in Shimek Forest (SE Iowa) about 15yrs ago. DNR just admitted within the last 12 months there MAY be a cougar or two in that forest. |
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Post by ozark on Apr 28, 2007 9:45:04 GMT -5
Although there are no cougers recognized here in North Arkansas by the authorities It is illegal to shoot one. Some trail cameras have taken pictures of a few. I have never personally seen one but my wife seen one cross the road near our cabin and my son in law seen one creep around the top of a bluff near the same spot. Some claim that they are cats that were released from captivity. If so, they have quickly reverted to totally wild creatures. I wonder why people charged with protecting wildlife and enforcing the rules are so reluctant to accept that the wide ranging cats are around. The posts here indicate that denial of existence is everywhere these cats are not plentiful.
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Post by ozark on Jun 26, 2007 19:40:30 GMT -5
A warden informed me that recognizing that these large cats exist would put the Game and Fish comission responsible for any damage, death or livestock killing in their laps to handle. By denial they are calling a lot of folks and cameras liars. When proof is shown, they take the position that they are cats that escaped from captivity or released in violation to Game and Fish regulations.
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Post by RAF on Jun 28, 2007 22:11:45 GMT -5
Ozark your timing of you post is uncanny. In the past week we've had 2 cougar sightings in our city. One in the river valley between 2 bridges,,,, an area full of walking paths and frequented by lots of jogger,,,, and the 2nd a golf course near the eastern edge of the city. Because those cats are rare it was likely the same animal. The two spots are about 4 miles apart so that kitty  had to have gone through, business, and residencial districts to get the the 2nd spot. Of course wild life in the city limits is not unusual. Plenty of deer in town and last week we had 2 yearling moose wandering around. One was darted and return the the wild. The 2nd disappeared. |
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Post by chuck41 on Sept 21, 2007 15:46:59 GMT -5
We have had a number of people around here over the years that have spotted cougars too. For years the wildlife folks denied they existed. A few years ago a farmer friend of mine about 20 mi west of here was told that and so he shot a big long tailed "bobcat" that had killed one of his calves.
They threatened to prosecute him but a local sheriff's deputy was witness to their telling him they didn't exist so they agreed to call it a big "bobcat" and let the matter drop. I think Ozark is correct that their current line is that any that exist have escaped from captivity.
However, any that show up around my place will quickly become very much "endangered" indeed.
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Post by ozark on Sept 21, 2007 16:06:55 GMT -5
Chuck you surely wouldn't shoot a ghost cat that would relish leaping from the low branches of a tree onto a sneaking hunter or perhaps some child that wandered into the woods for long periods of time like I used to do. I would be afraid to use a couger costume near your deer stand. Shame on U.
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... Rick 
had to have gone through, business, and residencial districts to get the the 2nd spot. Of course wild life in the city limits is not unusual. Plenty of deer in town and last week we had 2 yearling moose wandering around. One was darted and return the the wild. The 2nd disappeared.