What to do about a Mountain Lion? Any advice?

[rufus]

Houndit, you didn't say where you were posting from. A lot of what you can do about a problem like this depends upon the local attitude toward predators.

In the west, you can probably get away with killing the beast, but in places like the Peoples' Republic of Massachutes and other liberal states, you had just better sit there and let it eat your wife and kids. People don't count in the land of the tree huggers.

In the west, stockmen have been handling these problems quietly in the past. However, as the large ranches are broken up and sold off in forty acre ranchettes, no one is doing predator control just at the same time as the ranchers have removed the prey base. The population explodes and guess who is the new prey base. Mr. City Slicker that bought the forty acre ranchette.

Mark on your calendar when you notice that the cat is in your neighborhood. Then when it reoccurs, note the date. This will give you some idea of when it visits your area. Take extra precautions at those times.

Good Luck,

Rufus

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Actually, recent legal (private citizen shooting) and disciplinary (police shooting) cases that involved mountain lion shootings, which show up on a quick Google search, have been in Colorado, California, Nebraska (no charges here, but a mention in the story that shooting a cougar is illegal in Nebraska), and North Dakota.

 

[azelgin]

Quote:
Actually, recent legal (private citizen shooting) and disciplinary (police shooting) cases that involved mountain lion shootings, which show up on a quick Google search, have been in Colorado, California, Nebraska (no charges here, but a mention in the story that shooting a cougar is illegal in Nebraska), and North Dakota.

You are allowed to kill them in AZ when they threaten persons, or livestock, but you must report it afterwards. Lots of paperwork.

 

[unionwirewoman]

I live out west on 36 acres...not a ranchette...just been in the family for 40 years and bought it with my hubby . Out here , we tend to use SSS , when you know it's doable . Even around here , to report to FWP , you get the run around . The cats take anything that's easy . Your cats , dogs , pigs , llamas , horses ....even 3 yr old kids . Too many people building too far out causes loss of land for these cats . Unfortunately , we keep populating and so do they , so to become the winner in the situation means shooting it (or finding someone who will ) Getting all of your neighbors to call FWP , or let it keep preying on whatever it can . I don't agree with trapping an animal that size....too often the traps aren't big/strong enough and end up wounding instead of trapping .

 

[rufus]

Years ago, my dad had a huge bear trap that he tried to take cougers with. He never had any luck. I guess they have too keen a sense of smell.

It is better to tree them with dogs, and try and get a lung shot.

Better not kill a jaguar or God only knows what will happen to you.

Rufus

 

[blueberrylu]

Here in Michigan they are not even supposed to exist anymore according to the DNR, but it is illegal to shoot one. I have seen 3 in the last several years. If you are truly having a problem and are able to do it, go with the SSS methold----shoot, shovel and shut up. It would be best for all involved.

 

[unionwirewoman]

Quote:
Maybe your DNR are talking to our FWP !!! According to them....there are no wolves in NW Montana ! At least they said that 6 yrs ago...and are now admitting there are a few ( more like a hundred ) and had to "kill" off a pack so now there are none in our area ! All I know is if they're dead...then we have some mighty big dogs that look like wolves around here .

Sorry to high jack......I'm done ranting . Hopefully some others will come along to give more advice !

 

[Tala]

They are rare here, but I know a guy who saw one on his hunting land. It was scared of him and ran off (a very good sign)


If it was coming up in people's yards then I would be practicing every day with the biggest gun I could shoot.

 

[chixie]

I live in southeast texas... I have seen a mountain lion cross the road about 5 miles from my house... I have also seen pics from deer stands closer to my home where a mountain lion was stalking a momma pig and her babies... I have not heard of anyone loosing livestock to it .. so I am not nervous...

 

[houndit]

I am in northwest Missouri. Here they are very good about predators. If it is killing your livestock they do not mind if you kill it. Still if I shot it I might do the SSS as someone put it. They are not supposed to exist here but some conservation agents are introducing them here. I know a man who shot one and put it in his freezer because he wanted to show it to people. Some conservation agents showed up and said they wanted the mountain lion. He pretended he did not know what they were talking about. They said it had a tag in its ear and had not moved for 3 days. It makes me sick that they are bringing them into our area. So I probably would be quiet about killing it. But they are pretty good about the small farmer and predators. They let us hunt some foxes that were killing chickens before.