Cougars (mountain lions) in central Indiana!

[mr.mc.]

I am located in the lil town of mooresville IN and we have been seeing cougars all of a sudden! We have never seen them here before. I've heard that they were making a comeback, but this?.... Any clue on what to do? (I have chickens, and turkeys that I need to protect)

 

[ChicKat]

Call your local Ag extension office. Also there may be some game control etc. or game wardens around. If you have seen more than one, it sounds like a family may be living near you---

Cougars have a very large range from what I understand -- so you may not see them/any again for a long time. Meanwhile, of course protect your poultry.

I have a product called "solar night eyes", that is a solar charged LED. It flashes all night long....two red lights like little eyeballs. I don't think cougars around me would come close to the ranch house, because there is so much other land they could patrol. I know we have lost or nearly lost calves to them (One had the claw marks on it's flanks and a dislocated front leg, however recovered nicely). I consider mine more a deterrent for raccoons and coyotes....but supposedly no predator wants to encounter another critter who's eyes are the same height as his at night. For a little money, it may give you some nightime peace of mind. Here's a link.

http://www.solarniteeyes.com/

ETA - I've had mine more than a year, they work flawlessly, and the folks I spoke with there are really nice to deal with. Solar Night Eyes have a magnetic back and I just have them magnetized to the run, and move them around occasionally The Night Eyes can also be attached with screws. No maintenance required. ;O)

 

[chickortreat]

.

 

[Oregon Blues]

There are e at least 3 cougars living in the largest town near me. They have never caused any trouble. Well, except some idiot sicc'ed his pit-bull on one and had to pay a lot of money for a lot of stitches for his dog. I don't count that as a cougar problem, though.

I've got at least one that lives less than a mile from my poultry and he hasn't caused any problems.

You might pen your birds up at night, which you should be doing, anyway. Then you make some noise if you are going to be walking around in the dark, to give the cougar some warning to move out of your way.

 

[OldRoo]

I am located in the lil town of mooresville IN and we have been seeing cougars all of a sudden! We have never seen them here before. I've heard that they were making a comeback, but this?.... Any clue on what to do? (I have chickens, and turkeys that I need to protect)

I would get a game cam and get pictures, to shoe people you arn't crazy. then contact a game warden

 

[OldRoo]

:show"