Anyone know where to find a recording of cat sounds? I am from western North Carolina. I started yelling and making as much noise as i could and heard the sounds of claws running up a tree. So, I had the opportunity to help raise beautiful, and playful ( they acted just like any kitten would! There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. I believe that area was once habitat for the red wolf. I really took offense to that.. Hmmmm. The Blue Ridge Mountains are prime habitat for these cats, and once they get a foothold in the region, the signs are positive that they could return. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the eastern population of cougars extinct, but based on numerous sightings and . In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. Further north, you can find mountain lions in . A mountain lion photo has been circulating on social media for more than a year, claiming people have seenmountain lions in the state, and officials are calling shenanigans on the post. I knew we a small population of bobcats in this area and asked her if it could have been that. the cougar tail almost sweeps the ground and might have some markings on the tip of gray/white, the rest of the tail looks like short hair and is not bushy. This medium-sized cat weighs between 9-33 lbs, has stubby tails and characteristic tufts of hair coming out of its ears. Speaking of coyotes, has anyone near the Thaxton, Montvale, Blue Ridge area of Virginia seen them nearby? No, its one persons opinion of the world around them as they exist in it. Mountain lions live in areas that have ample hiding places. Calling All Skiers and Snowboarders Home to Massanutten, An Insiders Guide to Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, the Highest Peaks in Virginia. . It has to be a good, clear photo, and we get all kinds of fuzzy stuff that could be a bobcat, could be a yellow lab, but its so far away or so fuzzy we cant tell.. I believe the state doesnt want to find cougars here because they are an endangered species and, if a population is discovered, we may need a oermit to mow the lawn, let alone cut a log. I KNOW ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, WHILE SITTING IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT NEAR PHILPOT DAM(BASSETT) I SAW A BLACK BEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY 11 AM. There were 4 different sizes, the smallest was about 2 ft. long. Good luck, I think and hope theyre here, its interesting to consider. Terrified, I took a step toward it, held up my vest yelled and everything and it dissapeared quickly. Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the, Expansion and Restoration of Bison to Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, History of the Greater Yellowstone wolf restoration, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? Th cat didnt pay any attention to them although they were careful to remain at a distance until it got into the woods and disappeared. Some states, like Arizona and South Dakota, have an open season all year round. Guess we will never know the truth unless there is a fantastic picture with know location shown also. So this is good newsthe cat is back, surely. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Cougar Recovery Plan, morphological differences identified from museum specimens was used to classify over 30 subspecies of the Eastern Cougar, before DNA analysis was available It was a state car. After all, a three-year-old male lion was struck and killed by car in Connecticut in 2011. I hope the person who struck it hears its cries in his or her nightmares / dreams for a very long time to come. The bobcat is a resilient cat that has managed to keep under cover and establish territory across most of the United States. Motion-sensitive infrared cameras have been deployed near Appalachian Trail to try to determine whether cougars are back. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Then 20 miles later at mile 183 at about 2:25 AM I saw a much larger cat on the left side of southbound 81 where there was no guard rail. And shes not alone in that belief. The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In 2018, the Federal agency removed the Eastern Cougar from that list, though the Florida panther remained on it. We know what we saw. It really burns me up to hear so called experts say that there are no mountain lions or even wolves for that matter in VA. About 10-12 years ago, there was a pretty severe drought, and I know I saw a wolf in the Woodlake area of Midlothian, but everyone said are you sure it wasnt a big dog? If you see a wolf, you know its not a dog. We coundnt believe what we saw. Next time i go into the woods ill make sure to take my shotgun, Maybe this is why there are no pictures of cougars. It was just on the side of the road walking into the long grass, it didnt even seem to be starlted by a loud car so close. They can stand up to 35 in. Pretty exciting. Is it safe to go out there and will it come back. The day after the wolf incident my wife called from her work and advised me not to go in the pasture as a mother bear and cub had been spotted berry gathering there. This animal did not have a long snout like a dog or a fox. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. The girls were young and werent sure what theyd seen. The traffic was moving quickly but he had no doubt that it was a cougar. You could check with the Dept. I got into the bald on Big Hump and I heard an odd noise, like a quick screaching bird and something ran off. Now, after a reintroduction that began in 2012, these magical creatures have made their way back. They yelled back at me, got a little closer, and seemingly vanished into the valley after I heard the uncanny Mountain Lion yell. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I don't believe any mountain lions are here. A litter of bobcat kittens even started living in my friends open barn because they were obviously abandoned. He never saw the cat again but never went out at night without a gun. i have heard of several sightings in buckingham co. and our local sporting goods shop (bass, bucks,and more) has a game camera photo displayed with a mt lion on it that the owner said it was taken in martinsville va. From: Big J. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Market Hunting of Cougars, the 1982 Eastern Cougar Recovery Plan determined that three breeding populations would be necessary before the species could be delisted Mr. Lutz do you have internet picture of the Virginia cougar that you show arround? For information call SML State Park, 540-297-6066. There are an estimated 3,000 - 7,000 Mountain lions in Colorado. I had my food hanging ten feet in the air so i thought it was a bear. I couldnt see their relative sizes, as they were not close together until right before I entered the woods, and one was very low in the grass, could only see its eyes reflected. Virginia has two different native species of wild cats. Experience Shenandoah: Make Memories That Will Last a Lifetime. He saw the cougar on March 10, 2015 while working in the field near Vida, Oregon.". see: http://hstallard.blogspot.com/2008/03/mountain-lion-hoax-in-virginia.html. The AT Camera survey did not get a photo of a cougar during 2007. So about three blocks from my turn onto our road I spotted Eye shine crossing in front of our car. any sightings in Roanoke Co.? The question is how big is the population. It does not benefit the DNR, Fish and Game Dept, etc. Description of the Mountain Lion. My first thought was it was a panther that escaped from a nearby zoo. I quit taking my solo walks in the woods after that!!!!!Leen. They prefer habitats where its difficult for people to go, LaRue said. One glanced at us. I went on line and llistened to mountain lions and cougar screams and it sounded exactly like that. The cougar hesitated and then left the path. I was like baby look at that big ole cat! This is not the same picture withe the cat dragging the buck. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. I live in Southwest, VA. Both went into the woods without any fuss. he said. "Usually youngish males.". Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. The likelihood of seeing one is incredibly rare, let alone interacting with them, she said. As the science stands, the most likely option is that the sightings are the result of young males traveling east in search of new hunting and breeding grounds. Victim of animal attack treated for rabies. There are only quick sightings around town of the large cat known as the mountain lion. "It ran right in front of my truck a few weeks ago," said Kenneth Basler, a town official who said he saw the large cat around Stevens Pond off Route 23 between Monterey and Great Barrington. Currently, there is only one species of wild cat that lives in Virginia. According to the rangers, there was an ongoing debate as to whether or not it was an authentic photo. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. As my friends wife was leaving, she looked out the window and said that saw what she thought to be dear. I've seen them quite often. This isnt just hearsay.. It was a large cougar that had an eight point buck by the neck. Beowolf the key to your sighting is the tail . Thursday, April 21, 2005. In 1979, The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries cited the mountain lion, or puma or cougar, to be an endangered or threatened animal in Virginia. So will a new population of cougars render the U.S. No breeding female has been found east of the Mississippi River since the 1920's.3. Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. Not high pitched like a house cat but low, sounded like whatever it was had some size to it. Start throwing rocks or anything else at the animal to make it turn away. Virginia's mountain lions, known as the Eastern puma, were once on the endangered species list. They exclusively populated western states for decades, but according to LaRue, some shifts in hunting regulations began to change things about 50 years ago: lions were switched from the bounty hunter category to a game species managed by the states. But we are talking about an actual animal which has a possibility of existing in localized population in some areas of the east. The mountain lions that once roamed the hills and hollows of West Virginia are long gone. But it was very odd because the scream wouldnt quite finish and then it would start again. I was almost back to sleep when it happened again and this time it was no house cat! My dad found tracks and no, not bear, but cat, on our farm in that area and residents have reported seening a pair crossing just a few miles from where dad saw tracks. I remember seeing very large cat tracks(not a normal bobcat track) while hunting the GWNF sw of harrisonburg,va in the mid to late 1980s. It was the first time I could see it clearly. It was about the size of a friends dog, which is about 15 tall and 2 1/2 feet long. Reading these stories and seeing a documentry (Monsterquest) only confirms that there is definitely something out there. The total length of this species is 5-9 feet (cylindrical tail 2-3 feet) and it weighs from 100-200 pounds. Note: this article expired, but a lot of people want to comment on this thread, so I kept it active, and updated it for quite a while. While hiking in the winter after a good snowfall I came across huge cat tracks that were fresh. Forestry rangers said several ponies killed , others attcked off 811 near Evington, va. Any info would be greatly appreciated, I stopped thinking I would see a deer cross the old farm road. The Locavore Hunter. But really, itll change peoples viewpoints at some point., Experts in Tennessee dont know exactly how many mountain lions are roaming the area, but they do know one thing for sure: at least one of them is a female. Its a gradual process, and especially in the early years of a repopulation, any sightings are most likely of males. I made deep, loud noises and threw my hands up and used my flashlight to look large. Mountain lions go by many names, including puma, cougar, and panther. Because I was at a B-day party, I had my camera, and took the picture off his phone. But she knew what one of those looked like, said it wasnt and added that it had a long tail. Love Virginia? The Mountain Lions compete as members of the Mountain East Conference in all fifteen sports. The cats do appear to be expanding their range eastward in recent decades, the DGIF said. I thought that cougars were hunted to the point of extermination in Virginia, I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny my sighting with what little information I had I just think in would be really cool if they were moving back into these mountains. Ihad only one game warden to believe me. A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. My wife, dog, and I were walking on a dead end street no houses in Stratford Habour this morning (11/8/07). Ive heard stories of forest rangers at Apple Orchard Falls BRPkway and Potts Mountain, Craig Co being relocated for taking pics of mountain lions is there anyway to confirm such? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Male cougar territories are pretty big, and thats why they have to disperse farther than females, LaRue said. This time is was near 4 A.M. If there was a breeding population, we would know. As I inched my way down the road I saw the tall grass to my left move as if something was approaching the road. Even though the WV DNR says there are no wild mountain lions in the state, there are some held in captivity at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek.. Instead, these sightings are likely captive cats that were intentionally or accidentally released or traveling cats from a state out west. Ralph Maughan, webmaster. Like a number of other people in her communitya hunter who caught the tail end of a cat on his deer cam and a Presbyterian minister in Batesville whose neighbor saw one drinking out of a pond, to name a coupleMarchibroda knows that she saw a mountain lion, and she wants state and national wildlife agencies to take these sightings seriously. As I slowed the cat took notice and turned. What is this. Florida seems to be the number one place for non-native wildlife. Still no pictures though. In 1996-98 I lived in Catharpin, VA near Manassas Battlefield. I went to Chestoa, which is an awesome overlook pretty much between Altapass and Linville. FYI: I have reasearched wild animal sounds to the point now that I could be an expert. Since my reported sighting of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have seen. Right now the only natural predator of deer seems to be the feral Toyota Camry population. While driving down a winding mountain road in Madison County (Northwest, VA), I witnessed a large cat trotting up the road toward me. We guessed it could have been but have no proof. Part of their success is due to their adaptability when it comes to hunting and habitat needs. Mountain Lions at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. My dogs heard it and came running. It ran down the road for a bit. I know mom & dad said they saw it & I do believe them but why, if they are, people denying them being here? Today I looked outside and in the middle of the yard was a large looking black cat with a long tail, much larger then any cat. But according to University of Minnesota research associate and wildlife expert Dr. Michelle LaRue, its a little more nuanced than that. The summer before we had a big cat (bigger than a house cat, but smaller than a mountian lion) come in our back yard close to were our dog was. June 21, 2008 About two weeks ago I was traveling on Rt 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn in Buckinham county. However, once you start talking about black cats the credibility of the reports goes down signigiciantly. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. Their conclusion: "Sir, you don't have a mountain lion.". VA. I personally would not have believed a description like this, but the photos say it all. He didnt rule out the possibility of an individual wandering into Virginia, as that has happened before. "These two were seen and were causing trouble before the guy who owned them knew they were gone," Fies said. Im not accusing anyone of anything, I myself have certain ideas in all of this, but am wondering what other people think of it. I opened the door and told my husband to hurry up and come outside. I kept hiking and went all the way to HWY 19E where I slept in a shelter half a mile from the road. We are just amazed to have found one. About 5 miles before we got to the Hollow, a large blond cat crossed the parkway. Hello, While it's highly unlikely that you should happen upon one, keep in mind that they can spook easily and charge. I have chickens, belgian mules (not worried about them) and a herd of miniature donkeys but Im far more concerned about marauding bears than a mountain lion. Tracks found near the sighting was confirmed by a retired wildlife biologist with the Smithsonian. Yet within the last decade, bull sharks have been known to swim all the way to the Potomac River. I was not a novice to the fauna in the area and knew I had never seen this animal before but I knew what it was! Snce 1890, roughly 20 people have been killed by cougars. Mountain lions are definitely coming to Virginia. How do we find out about sightings of this mountain lion(s). 0. John, This is interesting as authorities keep saying the big black cats dont exist unless they are transplants or escaped pets, etc??? The last one seen was last summer. For related content, read about How The Worlds Most Notorious Mythical Creature Is Said To Dwell In This Small Virginia Town. The creek still has running water. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Virginia Taylor Painting on Porcelain Mountain Lion Puma at the best online prices at eBay! Many people live their entire lives in mountain lion country, and never see or know the cats are around. Virginia Dept. It was last June that my husband and brother in law were traveling on rt 66 where it goes into rt 81 (somewhere between Front Royal and Strasburg) and saw a cougar dead on the side of the highway! In his more than 30 years working for DGIF, he's only been called out for one mountain lion sighting in the area. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and over, $2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and free for . He got up and armed with only a flashlight he ventured outside to see why the horses were so restless and upset. I know they are on the endangered species list, but I cant help cut be concerned about the horse. I was so shocked that I could even stop the car in time to see it again. Does anyone want to speculate about the Appalachians being populated by African Lions? While mountain lions are native to Virginia, they have been expatriated from the state since 1882. Females have gradually made their way into states like Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Missouri, but according to LaRue, it turns out the midwest largely is not a great habitat. So its not unreasonable to assume that theyll continue on and eventually end up in states near and on the eastern seaboard, where lush mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Smokies offer prime habitat and sustenance (deer, primarily) for the cats. I keep a compost heap in the edge of the woods which attracts possums and other small critters. Females need to show up. So yes, there are mountain lions in the Blue Ridge. Could this be possible?? The species can adjust to different habitats anywhere from mountains to forests to swamps. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. For a solid four seconds, Marchibroda watched as a large, sleek cat standing about three feet tall with a long, curled tail crossed Skyline Drive near Gavel Springs Gap less than 100 feet in front of them. Get real. Since 1970, 121 sightings have been identified as possible mountain lions, but have not been officially confirmed. Had the opportunity to help raise beautiful, and thats why they have been identified as possible mountain compete. Is a fantastic picture with know location shown also wild animal sounds the... Was once habitat for the red wolf you know its not a dog a... Likely captive cats that were fresh go by many names, mountain lions in virginia puma, were once on the endangered list! Could be an expert come outside easily and charge trouble before the guy who owned them knew they obviously! 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