What kind of thing SCREAMS at night?

[Redrhodies]

I would say a Fischer cat also. I have them in the back of my woods and they make a horrible scream, just like a baby screaming. These are nasty predators, and very elusive. They are hardly ever seen at all. We have had an increase in the numbers of them in our area. I have had the pleasure of seeing one on two occasions on the property. Wish I had had my gun with me at the time.

 

[gryeyes]

I do, when I drop an egg with a developing chick in it, when I candle 'em. But you're probably too far away to hear THAT!

 

[tinychicky]

fisher. we hear them all the time around here, they sound really creepy!

 

[reesepoultry]

Not sure if this will help. But I found a website that list all the wild animals that live in New jersey. maybe you can narrow down what it is by looking on there.


http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/wildcolor.pdf

 

[Hoss1975]

I hear bobcat screams around here every year,it starts around the first of march.It is there mating season and they are trying to locate a mate.The screams are enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.Coyotes do make a similar sound but there is no mistaking the sound of a cat.

 

[mrs_woodguy]

I was also thinking female deer. Those gals are screamers for sure.

 

[halmar]

I hope you figure it out. I have laughed so hard at some of the replies I am crying!

 

[Dinkadoo]

I would say it was a bobcat. Very scary and eerie sounding.

 

[sourland]

We're talking South Jersey folks. No mountain lions or fishers (although fishers are in Sussex co.) Luna, you might have coyotes. They've had problems with them over in Middletown. From your description, my guess would be bobcat. The scream of a cottontail being killed is an eerie, high pitched non "cat like" sound, but it does put the hair on the back of your neck absolutely upright.

 

[WyandotteTX]

Quote:
See, that's it - I highly doubt there was a panther or coyote by me. It would be a very rare thing if that were it. The screams were very high pitched and gradually got to it's high point and then would wind down and then start all over - it was awful! It went on 3 or 4 times and by the time I got over there it was over. Believe me, I had my ear tuned for any sound that night and haven't heard it since.

Whatever it was - it was eaten or IT is still out there.

I have lived out in the boondocks of Texas for many years and my grandpa was a trapper and caught anything and everything that moved. To me, there is no doubt as to what it is. Its a Mountain Lion ( or Panther) as some people like to refer to them. Be very aware if you hear that noise again. They can be anywhere as well....just like coyotes come into urban areas, so do Mountain Lions. They can weigh up to 120 lbs are a formidable predator. If you are out at night walking around your property or to barns etc....be aware..take a stick, take a gun. If you dont hear it anymore, it was just one passing thru. They have a very large territory that they hunt in so most likely you wont see one around very long. Look for tracks etc during the day when you are walking around though. It will be a large print.
Hope this helps, not trying to freak you out. Knowing what it is gives you power to deal with it in my mind. Bobcats btw are relatively quiet animals and dont do the nocturnal calls like Mountain Lions do. At least in my experience anyway.

John