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Across the Fence: Cougar in the city? |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2012 : 5:58:03 PM
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A man in our town claims to have seen a cougar in a large, heavily wooded park in the center of town. He took some pictures, all that the DNR will say is that it's a "large animal" but the pictures are too far away to be certain. I know of people who have claimed to see cougars out in the country, but this in a town of 28,000. There are lots of deer in the park as well as coyotes. He said it was skinny so maybe it's a pet that someone turned loose and isn't very good yet at hunting. But does anyone really want a hungry cougar in the middle of town? I hope they can catch it and release it somewhere else. This town gets weirder everyday. Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor "In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2012 : 6:12:14 PM
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I just read something about cougars moving into the midwest this past week, so maybe they have made to your part of the midwest. Roxanna |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2012 : 7:44:27 PM
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There has been some show up into Denver and out lying areas. I have one that passes thru on the farm but he keeps his distance because of my three Great Pry's. However, the other day walking down my very long driveway to place packages in the box I got this weird feeling and looked over and about 200 feet away from me was that big guy. I did not move too quickly spread my arms out with the bags contining the packages and walked to the mail box. Once there I whistled the "Alarm Called" I have trained my dogs with and they started barking and coming at a full run - that was all that was needed and he took off. Needless to say now I remember to take the hand axe with me to get the mail... Sure keeps you on your toes...
Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2012 : 8:01:33 PM
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a few weeks ago a cougar was found at a business (in their courtyard) in the city of Santa Monica, which is a beach community in So. Cal., fish and game came in and shot with a traq gun, while waiting for full affect, and idiot cop took matters into his own hands, and opened fired, killing this young, healthy male that was 90% tranqed, who would have been relocated in a cougar safe area...cougars are adapting, just like coyotes have, they are coming down from the mountains, and staying in hilly areas, just like the bears, due to drought conditions, and dumb city people leave their pets and their food outside knowing they are around, and when their pets become food (wildlife knows no differant from pets to other wildlife, as far as food goes), they want blood, and every animal killed, maybe some day people will learn, they were here first, we pushed them out farther and farther, and now they are coming back in for food and water...I myself have never had any wildlife injury or kill any animal on my place, but I've had my share of problems with dogs and stupid people...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2012 : 05:41:13 AM
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I read an article several years back about mountain lions in the Boulder, Co. area. Scientists observed them in a pride situation, hunting in packs. We're done for as soon as they figure out hunting commuters from roof tops.
“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2012 : 6:04:26 PM
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i just hope that people do not get trigger happy with these cougars, when they have not made any threats to humans, there are plenty of ways to non-fataly deter them from livestock, dogs, donkeys, lamas etc. , someday the only way the next generations will see wildlife, is in books, or stuffed, in a museum, or a head on someones den wall...so sad
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2012 : 6:35:17 PM
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We had a black bear in the middle of one of the busiest areas on Billings a few weeks ago- a town of 80,000. It doesn't surprise me that a cougar might have moved in if there are coyotes and deer in the part too.
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wff7Xpc/]
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2012 : 8:24:55 PM
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Well, Illinois is just across the river from Missouri, and Missouri has so many cougars that it's legal to shoot them, they're no longer considered endangered. A big cat could easily swim across the river. And we know there are some in southern Illinois and cougars can travel a great distance to seek out a new territory. They found one in Connecticut that had traveled, I believe, from Iowa or Minnesota. It had a tracking collar on it. And I've heard they've released cougars, and even wolverines, in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. I've seen a bobcat around here, it was at night, since they're very elusive. It seems odd to see one in town, but I know someone who lives in the country who recently saw a large animal with a long tail. I think they're definitely around here. I just hope I never see a bear because bears scare me. Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor "In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2012 : 8:58:47 PM
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Grace, do be careful. Unless the animal is threatening you or anyone else, I agree with Tina's suggestions. However, we have had problems with big alligators behind our house. There was a time or two when we had to do what we had to do. The alligators continued coming closer and closer to my husbands shop. They were watching him! Some of the alligators were trapped and moved. Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 06:38:47 AM
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Funny, when I read the title for this topic, my first thought was that would be a great name for a tv show. Disconnecting the dish tonight! *LOL*
Sherone
Farmgirl Sister #1682
My Blog - www.annapearlsattic.blogspot.com
Etsy Store - www.annapearlsattic.etsy.com
Women are angels. When someone breaks our wings, we just jump on our broomsticks and fly! We are flexible that way! |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 1:55:30 PM
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Sorry this is so late, I've been out of touch but it sure could be a cougar. When I lived in Littleton Colorado (a suburb of Denver) there was a cougar spotted in a park not but a few blocks from my house. And they were credible reports, since one of the witnesses was a police officer out on patrol. So you bet they can be in a major populated area, Littleton alone is 40,000+ not to mention the other surrounding areas.
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/ Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13625 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13625 Posts |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 5:23:42 PM
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Well it's possible. If your city is near areas where cougars normally are. Usually the ones that venture into populated areas are the juviniles from what I've read. They're hungry and are on their own for the first time.
Farmgirl Sister #3759
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"
"The things that matter most are not really things after all" |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 6:17:16 PM
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Here is another issue with it being so dry and fires all around they are also looking here for water. Monday I treked water far away from my animals so if prediators are looking for a drink they do not have to come in.. Was a lot of work but well worth it if I don't give them a reason to come in. That was a big issue last fire season is bears where seen closer to homes looking for water.
Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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Sugar Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Pamela Jean
Sugarloaf
Ca
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 6:39:44 PM
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We have mountain lions here, they're mostly at the north west end of the valley. One killed a young boy who got lost out there. But they usually stay clear of people unless they are sick and desperate for a meal.
Pam
Stand for What's Right! [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wSZ8KGU/]
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2012 : 9:45:55 PM
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They captured a cougar in Minneapolis about 3 blocks from me. Poor thing. It was trying to get across the freeway.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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Across the Fence: Cougar in the city? |
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