Puma in my area~ west Tennessee

[tntstanifer]

I'm not sure if that's what has been getting my chickens, but I've sighted one multiple times now. My husband had his first sighting this morning. I've researched and so far, it's saying that the only "confirmed" areas where puma live are in FL and west of the Mississippi. I live maybe 55 miles from the Mississippi, maybe closer, I'm on the east side of it in TN. I'm about 95% positive that Pumas are living close to me now. The wildlife refuge is no more than 5 miles from me, so I will be calling them today. From what I can tell with online research though, people who are in neighboring counties are being told that there's no confirmation that puma live in this area. We shall see!
Has anyone else east of the Mississippi had any sightings?

 

[Carolyn]

I live in Carroll Co. A few years ago there were reports of a mother cougar and a young one on several farms in the Lavinia area. This was confirmed by the Wildlife officers. However they said it was probably one raised in captivity and then set free which would make it even more dangerous as they have no fear of man.

I have heard of similar accounts of seeing large cougar like cats in the area with no consistency to the color. We have so many deer here and even though we are a well populated area we have large wooded areas both private and public.

Keep us posted. I sure don't know how to puma proof a pen. Are your chickens free ranging?

BTW welcome, sounds like we are neighbors.

 

[Carolyn]

I just read a message under predators and pests titled "mystery animal" You'll find it quite interesting I am sure. It is current thread.

 

[tntstanifer]

Thanks! We're in Haywood Co.
I just posted in the "Mystery animal" post. Sounds like "officials" are covering up for some reason. I don't understand it.
Yes, our chickens free range. Guineas, ducks & geese also. Every week we've lost one or two animals. Whatever is getting them, is snatching them during the day (because they are cooped up at night) right at the edge of corn fields that surround us. We'll find feathers in the yard at the edge, all the way up to where they entered the corn field, then we might find a few feathers in the corn, and that's it. We have tons of deer, coyote, turkey, etc. here. Probably the same as you

 

[kyle7630]

Hey, the mystery animal post is mine. I don't really know what I saw but it seems like you are seeing somthing very similar. lol. I hope it is not what has been getting your birds cause I bet it would be hard to protect against such a powerful animal. Good luck, maybe we can both get our mystery solved!

 

[dacjohns]

A few years ago (2000) a mountain lion was hit by a train near Chester, Illinois. One in 2004 in Mercer county. Just recently one was killed in the Chicago area. I think there have been reports in Wisconsin and Minnesota also.

There are quite a few unverified reports from Southern Illinois. If they are true they may be escaped exotic pets. I have talked with people that claim to have seen them but they describe a bobcat.

 

[LV426]

Back in the early 90s I was visiting my grandparents in the middle of nowhere Missouri when there was a cougar in the area. You could hear it screaming at night down in the river bed areas. Creepiest thing you've ever heard. It was pretty cool though. The farmers just made sure their stock stayed away from the creeks and locked up the animals they could at night and everyone made sure to be extra cautious when going out. The local wildlife feds said they didn't release a notice because they didn't want a bunch of yahoos out there shooting at shadows in trying to kill the cat.

 

[panner123]

Now you have heard me say this many times before. Kill it or it will kill all your birds and your children, then come looking for you. This is the time for the three SSS rule. Any animal bear or big cat that is that close to humans is far to dangerous to play cat and mouse with.

 

[chick2good4u]

I live in Middle TN - Rutherford Co. and we have seen a bob cat occasionally out in the country

 

[Linda in San Diego]

When I read about posts like this, I think of one of the Little House books where Pa describes Grandpa being chased by a panther. That one section sends chills down my spine every time. Don't even get me started on the book with the locusts they step on with bare feet and that get under their skirts and in their hair....didn't I tell you not to let me get started!

Watch out for your big cats. I know that we get them in our area, the cougars can be extremely dangerous when near humans. We have actually had school cancel all outdoor activity because a mountain lion was seen near by - but the golfers just keep on golfing, go figure!