(NGC)-Mountain Lion sighting.

[Gliderjohn]

Living in central KS, they are rare but do exist. We had our third mountain lion sighting yesterday evening since moving here 12 years ago at our pond just off the backyard. Was able to grab the binoculars before it disappeared. Looked to be a young juvenile, couldn't get to the camera in time. Here are some footprints. About half the size of the prints from Ruth's encounter in 2012.





GliderJohn

[Testarossa]

Very cool.

We had our first bear visit since moving in. Cat came in with his tail all bushed up and the beagle barked her head off. Medium-size black bear lumbered across the lot adjacent to our south property line.

[Arizona Wayne]

That reminds me of a Guzzi ride, mtn. lion siting norCal story.  About 5 of us were riding our Guzzis staggered out on a country 2 lane road.   All of a sudden I see an adult mtn. lion in full race mode coming towards us from the left side of our road.    As it gets closer to us it isn't slowing down at all !  On the right side of us is a 4' high wire fence.   The cat runs right between 2 of our bikes....leeps into a horizontal stretched body shape and goes right thru the fence not slowing down nor touching the fence!!!    I couldn't believe my eyes.  and the cat just kept running as if nothing had happened.

[Guzzistajohn]

Cool!

[wheaties]

"Standing, cougars can jump 20 feet up and 11 feet with a 100lbs deer in mouth."

https://ctmountainlion.org/facts/

[oldbike54]

 Hmm , seems maybe a Mountain Lion in Kansas needs a better GPS 

 Seriously , having walked around behind John's place with Marley as a companion , yeah , looks like Cougar country for sure .

 Dusty

[normzone]

My sole mountain lion encounter was on horseback - I was on Poke (Poco Rey Del King, only papered horse I ever owned) and trotting through the pines in the Cuyamacas by the lake back when we still had pines (pre-fire).

I heard a bunch of crashing in a tree and looked over to see a big youngster making his way down from the top of a thirty foot tree in a spiral pattern, as if the branches were steps on a staircase. He was trying to look cool but it was apparent it was about half controlled descent and about half falling using the branches to slow down.

My horse didn't notice him and I figured that stopping to watch was probably a bad idea. The only weapon on me was my spurs - so we just kept going - never saw the cat again.

I told this story to a fellow that informed me that mountain lions don't climb trees - I guess this one didn't get the email. No clue why he was up there in the first place ....

[oldbike54]

 Norm , Mountain Lions won't climb a tree to hunt , but they will dang sure climb one to rest or escape danger . Your little fella may have been using the tree as a shortcut from a high spot to a lower spot .

 Dusty

[twowings]

Heavens to Murgatroyd!

[normzone]

Norm , Mountain Lions won't climb a tree to hunt , but they will dang sure climb one to rest or escape danger . Your little fella may have been using the tree as a shortcut from a high spot to a lower spot .  Dusty

Well, this was also back before the invention of email, so that may have been a factor as well. I'd never have noticed him if he hadn't been so noisy about it.

[ohiorider]

I think I'll just stick with our coyotes ........ you boys further west can take care of the mountain lions.

Bob

[Sasquatch Jim]

 You have obviously never seen one treed by hounds.  It makes them easy to shoot.

[guzzisteve]

If I knew there was a cat around I'd have a sidearm w/me.

[MotoChuck250]

John,
I know there are deer out there because on my home the last time I was at your place I caught sight of a big doe running parallel to the road about 30 yards north of me.  I was paying keen attention to see if she wanted to cross the road in front of me.  Of course I also was trying to keep my eyes on the road in front of me and check if there were also any deer on the south side of the road.

I know that your animals are indoor types so at least they are safe.  I know a bunch of folks who have lost pets to bobcats around Whitewater & Potwin area.

It's only been about a decade since the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fessed up to knowing that there were in fact mountain lions in Kansas.

[Guzzi Gal]

I came face to face with a cougar at the playground when I was about 6.  Luckily, she was someone's pet, and they were taking her for an afternoon stroll.  She let me scratch behind her ears. 

From the back of a horse, I've seen many a bobcat at dawn and dusk.  They don't pay you much mind as long as you don't point yourself their direction.

[oldbike54]

 As a child I asked the medicine man for my totem , hoping for the mountain lion . Instead , the old Indian announced to my mom that the tortoise seemed more appropriate 

 Dusty

[Moto]

I think I'll just stick with our coyotes ........ you boys further west can take care of the mountain lions.

Bob

Probably just a matter of time for you. We have a fair number in Wisconsin now, and recently one was tracked passing from the northwest to the southeast through the state, and, I recall, ending up getting shot in New York state.

We also treasure wolves of course.

Moto

[rodekyll]

I remember this from a few years back -- cougar caught napping in a tree on the Vancouver WA VA hospital.  Fun read.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/01/hound-sniffs-out-cougar-in-tree-near-va-hospital/

[yogidozer]

As a child I asked the medicine man for my totem , hoping for the mountain lion . Instead , the old Indian announced to my mom that the tortoise seemed more appropriate 

 Dusty

put down the peace pipe 

[chuck peterson]

This cat became famous...it sickened me really..."one of the most spectacular journey ever recorded "

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/160522-cougar-mountain-lion-puma-connecticut-animals-science/

[yogidozer]

Chuck, these cats were pretty famous too......is it above zero yet?
Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEtbfzMLVWU

[Dilliw]

That reminds me of a Guzzi ride, mt. lion siting norCal story.  About 5 of us were riding our Guzzis staggered out on a country 2 lane road.   All of a sudden I see an adult mt. lion in full race mode coming towards us from the left side of our road.    As it gets closer to us it isn't slowing down at all !  On the right side of us is a 4' high wire fence.   The cat runs right between 2 of our bikes....leeps into a horizontal stretched body shape and goes right thru the fence not slowing down nor touching the fence!!!    I couldn't believe my eyes.  and the cat just kept running as if nothing had happened.

I had one run right in front of me on Malibu Canyon Rd. back in the 80's.  Really cool memory (even though I was on a Suzuki).

[oldbike54]

put down the peace pipe 

 But I like it 

 Dusty

[Dharma Bum]

I believe the tortoise is the symbol of life in many of the Native American cultures.  Not a bad totem to have.

[JeffOlson]

It is exciting seeing mountain lions or evidence of them--and a bit scary.

We had one pay a visit a couple of years ago. First, it chased some deer while my wife was riding her bicycle. A farmer closing his gate said, "Ma'am, do you have a gun?" Well, she did not, but he did (of course, it's farm country!), so he escorted her home in his truck. The mountain lion then attacked a foal across the street from us, but the mare chased it off. The mountain lion then attacked some sheep, so the sheep farmer took care of it the old way... (No, he did not call the government for help.)

[JJ]

I currently now live in northern Arizona, Yavapai / Coconino counties.  Reportedly, by Fish & Game estimates there are around 3,000 mountain lions (Puma or Cougar) in our state.   

I recently bought a IR trail cam and have seen everything from Gray Foxes, Javelina's, Bobcats, Raccoons, and of course "Mule Deer."   - - - and where there are Mule Deer, there are Mountain Lions.  They have to kill a deer every 7-10 days to survive...Reportedl y, there are two (2) in our neighborhood, but have proven to be quite elusive....so I will keep vigilant.

The color photo is their territory...the Coconino National Forest!   :1:

[davedel44]

But I like it 

 Dusty

Bring the peace pipe to Cedar Vale, and the talking stick and some drums for the circle.  We'll put the drum circle between  the yoga studio and the sweat lodge, just past the vegan smoothie bar, and behind the expresso station.

Dave
Galveston

[oldbike54]

Bring the peace pipe to Cedar Vale, and the talking stick and some drums for the circle.  We'll put the drum circle between  the yoga studio and the sweat lodge, just past the vegan smoothie bar, and behind the expresso station.

Dave
Galveston

 Hush , these guys haven't figured out that isn't catfish 

 Seriously , I am working on a tepee .

 Dusty

[craigclu]

We don't have a sustaining population of cougars in Wisconsin but in recent years, lone males have been spotted roaming through the area.  Photo attached was taken in Spooner, WI (NW part of state) of a cougar later killed by a Chicago policeman.  Another sited one was hit by a car out east somewhere (NJ, I think).  I've wondered about hitting a bear or cougar with the cycle and just wounding them.  One should work on their wrestling moves!

[JJ]

Mountain Lions are are mostly nocturnal...and are  "ambush predators"...as this YouTube video clip will show you. 

I personally would NOT want to tackle with a 180-200 pound mountain lion in the wild...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B85Hi4djjZk