Prints in the snow

[Reinbeau]

Quote:
they claim there arent any around but many sightings say otherwise, just a sighting a few weeks ago about a mile from here

I am always puzzled by 'their' reaction - their meaning state officials that try to tell a local that something they've seen just isn't in their state. I guess they're trying to assuage fear or something, it just infuriates those who know that there are wolves, or bobcats, or whatever, locally

 

[Suess hens]

Ah, cougars are just big sweet kitties.

Our neighbor saw something in his backyard, lying under a tree in the shade. Thought a dog got in his yard. Walked out his back door saying "Shew dog, git." He quickly changed his plan as he got closer and realized it was no dog. His daughter says she had never seen her dad run that fast. They video taped the whole thing. Animal control came and took it away, released it back in the mountains they tell us. The tape was on one of those "when humans move into wild animal territoy" shows.
We have them around here, but with the dogs they stay away from our yard.

 

[ChanceRider]

I live in the gold country foothills, about halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, and mountain lion (aka cougars) sightings are pretty common. A few things to keep in mind if you do encounter one....

DO NOT RUN! Running may result in the cat thinking you are prey, causing it to give chase.

Stand up tall and try to make yourself look as big as possible; if you have a small child with you, pick it up. Pick up a big stick, small tree branch, etc.

Yell, or whistle loudly, for help. Always be aware of your surroundings.

We've had both bobcats and mountain lions on our property. Earlier this last spring a big cat killed a doe in our horse pasture; a neighbor's goat was taken during the summer, and about 1/4 mile away another neighbor lost a sheep to a cat... all just in the past year.

I'm perverse enough that I really enjoy seeing the wildlife around our property... yesterday it was a couple of foxes playing near our house.

 

[Jolyn]

From that picture that Nifty-Chicken posted i'd say cougar!!!! Looks exactly like it.

 

[Felicitas]

Oooh, if I were you I'd get a game camera set up the yard ASAP! Get some photos of that critter!