Seems we have a new neighbor . . .

[Kathie in Thorp]

Folks next door called this morning and said a big cougar crossed their horse pasture late in the afternoon yesterday, then went down to the river, and back up and across the bridge on the small highway above us. They have cameras down along their river property, so will try to keep track of him/her. Glad we aren't calving now, but other neighbors are.

We figured we'd start seeing more wildlife coming through that got run out by the fire.

 

[dun]

Unless it's a young male looking for a territory you probably have had them for neighbors but never saw them because of the previous cover. And if it's a young male looking for a territory he'll be moving on soon.

 

[J&D Cattle]

People are seeing more and more here in the Ozarks. I have not saw one but know about 5 people that have sighted them first hand.

Dun, many reports around your area?

 

[dun]

People are seeing more and more here in the Ozarks. I have not saw one but know about 5 people that have sighted them first hand.

Dun, many reports around your area?

Nope, none yet. The nearest is Devils Elbow and around on the Fort

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

We know they are around -- have been for years, and there was some sheep depredation not far from us by a big cat a few years ago. But this seemed a little brazen, out in broad daylight.

 

[Dave]

There is no shortage of cougars in Washington. It use to be pretty rare to see one but they are getting so plentyful that sightings are fairly common anymore. Prior to the early 70's there was a bounty on them. I remember in the 60's the bounty was $75. Early 70's they dropped the bounty. In the mid 80's they decided that there was a shortage and they put them on a limited draw permit. Then in the mid 90's the city people in Seattle managed to pass a law outlawing hound hunting. Of course hound hunting is the only effective method of hunting cougars. Since then there has been a population explosion of cougars. So much so that it is not uncommon for boot hunter to kill then during deer season. Something unheard of in the past.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

There is no shortage of cougars in Washington. It use to be pretty rare to see one but they are getting so plentyful that sightings are fairly common anymore. Prior to the early 70's there was a bounty on them. I remember in the 60's the bounty was $75. Early 70's they dropped the bounty. In the mid 80's they decided that there was a shortage and they put them on a limited draw permit. Then in the mid 90's the city people in Seattle managed to pass a law outlawing hound hunting. Of course hound hunting is the only effective method of hunting cougars. Since then there has been a population explosion of cougars. So much so that it is not uncommon for boot hunter to kill then during deer season. Something unheard of in the past.

I wish some of those greenie weanies from Seattle area would spend more time camping over here in wolf and cat country with their little Fifi dogs . . . . or better yet, that we could turn a few of our dogs and cats loose in the City parks on the west side for those folks to enjoy.

 

[Dave]

There is no shortage of cougars in Washington. It use to be pretty rare to see one but they are getting so plentyful that sightings are fairly common anymore. Prior to the early 70's there was a bounty on them. I remember in the 60's the bounty was $75. Early 70's they dropped the bounty. In the mid 80's they decided that there was a shortage and they put them on a limited draw permit. Then in the mid 90's the city people in Seattle managed to pass a law outlawing hound hunting. Of course hound hunting is the only effective method of hunting cougars. Since then there has been a population explosion of cougars. So much so that it is not uncommon for boot hunter to kill then during deer season. Something unheard of in the past.

I wish some of those greenie weanies from Seattle area would spend more time camping over here in wolf and cat country with their little Fifi dogs . . . . or better yet, that we could turn a few of our dogs and cats loose in the City parks on the west side for those folks to enjoy.

Funny how a couple years ago a cougar moved into a park in Seattle. It was all over the news. They had to get that cat caught and moved out of there. People were afraid for their children and pets. Yet if I have one in my backyard it is because I live in the cougar's territory and it is what I get for moving out into the country. They don't know how to answer when I tell them that there were settlers in my neighborhood before there were any settlers in the Seattle area.
A co-worker saw one this summer. He only lives a couple miles up the road from me. Said that he could still see his house in his rear veiw mirror when a big male cat crossed in front of him. The neighbor's Mom who just lives a few miles away had a cougar taking sheep out of her backyard. The youngest son set up a game camera a couple miles from here. When he checked it there was a picture of a cougar. The picture was date/time stamped 23 minutes after he set up the camera. You don't suppose that cat was watching him. I had a 500 pound heifer dissappear this summer without a trace. Makes me wonder.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

Geez, Dave, a 500 lb. healthy heifer would be big do'ins for a cat!!

The predators all have their place in the eco-system. I'll grant that. Just would prefer that we weren't in the loop. But much of the ground burned around here a few weeks ago is elk, deer, cat, (and some) wolf habitat (timber, sagebrush and native grasses), so we've been expecting them. Had a bunch of about 30 wild turkey hens and chicks on the driveway when I went out a couple mornings ago. Deer are always here. We fight them for possession of fruit on the trees and garden goodies -- well, we don't really fight them; it's whoever gets there first -- humans, deer, birds or wasps.