mountain lions in virginia

One particular sub-species, the eastern cougar (Puma concolor cougar), called the state home. 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. B. McQuary. While Virginia Beach has been known to house several species of sharks, it's more unusual for these intimidating creatures to wander inland. 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I too hope to see mountain lions return to Virginia, but I really dont think there are many here yet, if any all. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. Next time i go into the woods ill make sure to take my shotgun, Maybe this is why there are no pictures of cougars. I was looking out our 2nd story window yesterday evening when a very large cat looking animal came out of a thicket behind the house to get a drink in the pond. After passing the long horn pasture over the summit I thought I was clear, hadnt seen eyes at any distance in a while. Look how long it took scientists to find the okapi. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. I was hiking in Western North Carolina this weekend, north from Carvers Gap at Roan Mountain, on the Appalachian Trail. Here's What, Mountain Lion Size Comparison: How Do They, This Fearless Cougar Doesnt Care How Much Larger the Brown Bear Is and Goes for It, Watch This Family Discover a Mountain Lion Curled Up On Their Porch. Fish and Wildlife Service removed eastern subspecies of cougars from the endangered species list last year and declared them extinct. They came out and investigated. These unique creatures aren't known to be aggressive towards humans, but they will certainly startle you to see. 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. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. I took an impression of the track (which I still have) and have showed it to many, some knowledgeable which identified it as a mountain lion. My husband quickly put our dog into his pen. Last time I heard it it sounded like it was 30 50 yards away and then I heard a dog bark then yelp and one last scream from the animal and then quiet. I sometimes doubt local farmers reports. There are no mountain lions in Virginia. My husband and I got a real good look at it though and there was no doubt a mountain lion in Page County Virginia! they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has forced them into the area due to encroachment. But recent expert-confirmed sightingswhich have involved photographs, videos, and DNAin Tennessee support a theory that mountain lions, whose populations out west have continued to expand, are slowly making their way back to this side of the country. Im not suggesting this a farm animal. Did hear some weird crying up in the hills yesterday though, kind of a cross between a calf and a human baby. There is an abundent population of squirl, deer and turkey. It was standing in front of my car. I am concerned since that pond is a source of water for my horse. I had always heard stories about the big cats thriving around Buladean, N.C and even closer areas to my home. The whole encounter lasted about thirty seconds, certainly long enough to know what I saw in broad daylight. And yet there are numerous reports of hikers and residents spotting these creatures, especially in the mountains. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Eastern Cougar as Endangered in 1973, since it was considered to be a distinct breeding population separate from the western population. I have a house about 3 miles from Orlean, VA in Fauquier County. "Mountain lions existed statewide at the time of European settlement, but presumably were extirpated from the state by the 1880s," a DGIF blog stated. But anyways, I just completely got off of the Mountain Lion subject. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. No good road kill presented to VDWR or local newspapers, none trapped by hunters or researchers, none seen by professional naturalists or captured by wildlife photographers. Florida seems to be the number one place for non-native wildlife. He saw the cougar on March 10, 2015 while working in the field near Vida, Oregon.". The video appeared only weeks after the first ever sighting confirmed by the TWRA since its founding in 1974, when a trail cam in Obion County snapped a photo of what biologists suspected was a young male cougar. the Eastern Cougar is Puma concolor, reflecting the solid color without stripes or spots I just want to confirm that, yes, theyre back and I hope they stay around! However, according to growing reports, they are here. 111 1. It had a tail just about as large as the body. Then, off it went! We cant even find criminals when we know where to look, let alone a cougar who;s very existence depends on its ability to remain hidden. In fact, bobcats take down prey that weighs as much as 8 times their weight when the situation arises. This isnt just hearsay.. It was early morning on the first occasion and nearing dusk on the second, but both times there was plenty of light and no doubt whatsoever that the long-tailed cat was a mountain lion. 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. I must have terrified them. I stopped by a local gas station and 10 minutes later and I was told I was not the first to report seeing the cats. Wed love to hear about it! ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. It was just after dark and I didnt think there were supposed to be any mountain lions in that part of the country. As a result, multiple sightings across different time ranges could be attributed to the same cat. Though, they grew large quickly, and set themselves apart from the domesticated cat with ease They eventually returned back to the woods. A MOUNTAIN LION did in fact attack one of our horses early this morning, just before daylight. Lots of fawns this year. This could cause an issue because they could go after livestock and cause problems for humans. According to the Cat Specialist Group, Puma concolor cougar is in North and Central America and Puma concolor concolor ranges throughout South America.2. Thats my opinion. My buddy who lives in Floyd heard one, and others I know around here and by bent mountain. It is only a matter of time before the California picture in this blog post is sent back to us as proof of mountain lions in Virginia. In another leap, the cat was up the bank on the right hand side of the road and off into the woods. 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 wasnt a very old cat, and Im pretty sure it wasnt fully grown. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Although the eastern cougar is extinct, there are still sightings of these cats across the state. Are there presentations planned anywhere that one could attend? Though they are pushing steadily eastward from the Rockies. Period. We camp along the Potomac on float trips and always see and especially hear them at night. Terrified, I took a step toward it, held up my vest yelled and everything and it dissapeared quickly. Its a gradual process, and especially in the early years of a repopulation, any sightings are most likely of males. The fourth-largest cat in the world, it thrived from the frigid Yukon to the tip of South America. I think we have coywolves. It was headed north. Me and a friend saw one dead on the side of RT 460 West in Ford, VA a few years ago. I am from western North Carolina. Near the paw print I found tracks of a small deer moving very fast (tracks far apart and just the point of the hoof.) In reality, the mountain lion had escaped from a nearby property, where it was being held captive along with three other mountain lions. I would suggest people look that up also. It was as big or bigger than a german sheppard, but most definitely a cat. Due to an abuse of hunting privileges, the species was completely wiped out. I looked out the passenger side window just as my mom noticed it out her window. Not much rain in these parts since early August. In a small town called Coeburn. No one has since today, reported seeing one. Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. I bearly got a glimpse, thought at first it was a deer. That would be earth shattering for the depts. By Rick Steelhammer. Im of the opinion that there really never was a big difference between the eastern cats and whats in existence now, she said. A mountain lion is a wild cat ranging from two to three feet tall, with females weighing up to 120lbs and males up to 200lbs, making it the fourth largest cat in the world. In 1994 a friend and I were driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way to Panther Hollow. Still, many sightings arent clear or even true, so being skeptical is still the best bet when it comes to sightings in Virginia. Dec 27, 2022. of Game and Inland Fisheries web site on the eastern cougar. The sub-species of the eastern cougar indigenous to the state is extinct. Moose are notoriously shy creatures, so spotting them anywhere is an exciting experience. News outlets picked up the story and the video went viral, and its easy to understand whyaccording to TWRA regional manager Alan Peterson, that video marked only the second confirmed cougar sighting in Tennessee in more than 100 years. I saw a large bobcat at around mile 205-203 heading south on I-81. On Monday, the state agency . For decades, the chances of coming across one of these big cats in an eastern state were slim to none, and much to the chagrin of residents like Marchibroda who have reported sightings, the U.S. As we were approaching the Mabry Mill area, my daughter said excitedly hey dad, look, a bullmastiff (we bred them in Ct, and still have 2 adult males as pets). This is a stones throw from Skyline Drive and backs up to a mountain where we live. We have no intentions, but if they show up, they show up.. Our last trip we had a mountain lion stalk us outside our tent. My mother lives in Orange, and has seen a mountain lion in the past couple of weeks, as well as several years ago. I saw a Coy-wolf in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like. Harsh winters can[], Thanks for dropping by! It was, without question, a mountain lion. Reading these stories and seeing a documentry (Monsterquest) only confirms that there is definitely something out there. Calling All Skiers and Snowboarders Home to Massanutten, An Insiders Guide to Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, the Highest Peaks in Virginia. Mine me, Im not calling him a lier, but it does happen. In the subsequent photos weve gotten of cougars, there wasnt any evidence of any kind of wound or anything on it, Peterson said. He was licking his coat. 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. We didnt know what it was, but later walking in the field we found lots of turkey feathers but no specific sign of coyote or lion. A large, darkish animal approximately the height of a retriever/setter, long tail that curved at the very end, large cat-like head, and very close, prominent shoulders, that I still can see moving up and down when I think about it crossing Meetze Road. It was hit by a log truck in Buckingham Co. near Dillwyn in early spring. Is it a change in the regime their [sic]? They like rugged terrain with forest cover. Interestingly, the does seem to have very new fawns (twins generally). When we reviewed these reports, as many as 25 percentare of a large black cat. At the beginning of September there was an article in the Caroline Progress about a large cat in Caroline county with a picture from a game camera. Period. June 21, 2008 About two weeks ago I was traveling on Rt 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn in Buckinham county. me and a budy were spotlitting for deer [no guns i might add we were coming down off cold mountin fields saw two solid black cats run up some rocks both were about 60 to 70 pounds aim sure it was cougars i hut these mountains all of my life bear hunt coon hunt deer and evret thing eles but i thing its a small population and they move around travling from parts of amherst nelson trew shandoua park and west va beleive me or not i also told peple thre were coyotes in these mountain 26 year ago and peple thout i was crazy. The deer seemed to jump into some brush to the side of the path and the paw print seemed to be following. Unfortunately, we lost our big barn cat to these predators and continue to see and hear them on a regular basis. At the base of the cliffs lived a mountain lion named . Our daughters were in a 4H group across the park on Bull Run Post Office Road and each week theyd ride their horses across the battlefield to a farn where they practiced Vaulting (circus riding) with their 4H group. This weekend, had dinner with a new neighbor who mentioned that he had seen a black cat near Carrington Road in Markham, VA. Heard back from Animal Control and VDGIF. Spotted a large cat we think- on Squirrel Spur Road the new section about 8-10 miles south of Meadows of Dan. Motion-sensitive infrared cameras have been deployed near Appalachian Trail to try to determine whether cougars are back. It turned out the claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and the panther is most active at night. There has been speculation of the cougars being in Rockingham county so I am very excited to hear from the commmunity on any other possible sightings. "It was around 4 feet long, not including the tail." Since then I have involved myself by volunteering for the AT Camera project and joining Eastern Cougar Foundation (ECF). I am wondering if there is anyone who is tracking these sightings and wants to know moreIt was clearly a cougar. I havent seen it or signs of it since my 15 May report. and the does mated again? But before all this happened I heard them calling its almost like they were planning the hunt to come. We are not stupid people with time on our hands, just a couple out for a drive. As we rounded a curve in the road, we saw the cat jump out of a overhanging tree on the left hand side of the road and landed in the middle of the road. If a mountain lion walks around an area enough, many different humans will notice. The good news is that because it was right beside the road, others undoubtedly saw it, too, leaving no doubt that it was indeed a mountain lion because it was much too good a view for there to be any doubt of its species. July 25, 2019 edition, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? Because of how they hunt, they need to basically be able to hide and creep up on their prey. Others have confused the Eastern mountain lion with coyotes, bobcats, or even deer. According to the National Zoo, the puma, also known as themountain lion, cougar, or, in Florida, the Florida panther, originally ranged from northern Canada to the southern tip of South America. In Rockingham county virginia, my father, family friend and I go bow hunting for 1 week every year in the GWNF. If you know anything about mt lions, you know there is a lot of sign if there is a breeding population. This was kind of cool to me so I was on the lookout for any other animals, also keeping in mind that they might run onto the road. 0. The Cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the expansion of cougars to the East. Its been dry. No claw marks. I stopped thinking I would see a deer cross the old farm road. see: http://hstallard.blogspot.com/2008/03/mountain-lion-hoax-in-virginia.html. 12. Could have been either I guess. In recent years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common. They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s. I just saw a photograph of one today that is EASILY 150-200 lbs. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. 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. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." 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.. No, its one persons opinion of the world around them as they exist in it. The closest confirmed wild cougars, except for the Florida Panther,appear to bein Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas and western Louisiana, according to the blog post. There are certainly plenty of remote areas for them in VA and W.VA. i recently moved to Martinsville from Ct. My folks have lived in Stuart for the past 11 years. Mountain lions were common enough well into the 19th century throughout North Carolina. Then well try to figure out what kind they are and get more evidence.. We have seen a 50 pound bobcat at our pond. As I inched my way down the road I saw the tall grass to my left move as if something was approaching the road. I have a 2 year old grandson and a small dog and cat. What I set out to do was figure out habitat stability and dispersal corridors into the midwest, said LaRue, a research assistant in the earth sciences department at the University of Minnesota who studies mountain lions. The ones I saw sure would have no problem taking down a deer, or person for that matter! I went outside to feed my cat and in the silence of the night, early morning I heard the eerie sounds of coyotes across the hill. 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. Look at his PAWS!. Bobcats, yellow labs, and feral house cats are all common culprits for mountain lion mis . Where I hunt in Linden the owners have said to have seen a really big black cat. These felines are quite large. I live in Montgomery Co, and was wondering if you could tell me where exactly you saw the cougar in 2002 in Floyd county. Also 16-20 at the shoulder seems short for 120lbs. Something ran across the road in front of my car at a high rate of speed. However, the area is surrounded by a wildlife refuge and is also known for wild horses. A few came out decent, but I still wasnt convinced. Mountain Lions are back, maybe. he said. Theyre around. as for coyotes they are everywhere. It moved with grace and without sound. The states beautiful wilderness and mountainous terrain are prime mountain lion habitats. I know for a fact that Mountain Lions inhabit my area! Cougar, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Panther, and Puma, (Some of the names for this great cat) and is found principally in the mountains. After speaking with several people who claimed to see one, I made a trip to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) office in Verona. We know what we saw. By 2011, U.S. Interesting enough on October 28 just over two weeks later it was reported on the local news that two women had seen a mountain lion in Bon Air. When the game wardens in this area are called they often do not investigate b/c the sightings have become so frequent. See also Are There Local Taxes In Virginia? I thought it was a bear at first, until I saw its long thick tail. The Locavore Hunter. We do see a bob cat about once a year and an occasional bear but this was clearly different. I would assume that a large black cat would be that type. We went out there today to look for tracks. Native to most counties in Virginia, the bobcat is a . A mountain lion photo has been circulating on social media for more than a year, claiming people have seen mountain lions in the state, and officials are calling shenanigans on the post. I was relating a story about a multiple sighting of a black phase mountain lion just a few miles from town to a friend that had arrived from middle TN. Its been about ten years since then and Smith Mountain Lake has become a vacation spot for every northern virginian there is so the mountain lion probably found a more secluded area, there is a ton of it out there, to hunt and live. The girls were young and werent sure what theyd seen. Pretty exciting. We would sit on our back porch and listen awe struck. Love Virginia? I have pictures of the tracks and of the mares injuries. 150 yards in front of us travelling east. It had been sent to him on his cell phone. I was also told of a large cat sighting just north of Eden, NC. Sissy. The fur was short and the common light red-brown hue of a cougar. He didnt rule out the possibility of an individual wandering into Virginia, as that has happened before. 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 21 years ago Nancy Hugo published an article in Virginia Wildlife Feb 1987. or the puma to make official statements confirming its presence in the Eastern US and in fact might prove harmful to the cougar spur public fear if such a confirmation were made. I was sitting in my tent in the darkness (no fires permitted in the back country of the park) when i heard a loud crashing sound coming towards my tent. IT MAY BE A BS STORY SOMEONE STARTED BUT THE LOCAL TV STATION A WHILE BACK HAD COMMENTED THAT THERE MAY BE LARGER PREDATORS IN OUR WOODS AND THEY INCLUDED BEARS PUMA,BOBCAT COYETTE ETC. A lot of people dont know theyre around until they show up and start feeding on their bird feeders, and then all of a sudden its What are you gonna do about these bears?. The puma can kill and drag prey up to seven times its own weight, the National Zoo said. Ihad only one game warden to believe me. My e-mail address is gardrserv@yahoo.com & would be more than willing to give anyone any info as to what & where I saw. #1. As for what a new population of mountain lions would mean for nearby residents, education is crucial. https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Mountain-lion-attack-reported-near-Humpback-Rock-385246261.html. I went on line and llistened to mountain lions and cougar screams and it sounded exactly like that. However it was way too fast, too quiet, and did not move like a deer. This Saturday I saw what looked like a mountain lion running up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods. Be that as it may, I have happened upon a number of large feline tracks similar to those of the cougar, and while rerunning the indelible images of my sighting, can only deduce that the animal I saw was just that. If it hadnt been the last day of our trip, I would have gone back to look for tracks to possibly photograph! Just wondering if anyone has spotted any coyotes near us in Thaxton? It was moving through the woods twards a water source but not in the open. I got a couple of pictures of paw prints. Im not accusing anyone of anything, I myself have certain ideas in all of this, but am wondering what other people think of it. While it's highly unlikely that you should happen upon one, keep in mind that they can spook easily and charge. Me and my wife were on Leesville Rd in Evington just at the Otter River when we saw a large black cat the size of a mountain lion running up the grassyhill by the road. They were last seen in 1882 and have since been killed off. I have compiled descriptions of over 25 sightings in the surrounding area but none of them have produced real evidence in the form of a photo, footprint casting, body part, or scat sample from Virginia. I was dragging some stuff behind my ATV down a old farm road in Appomattox Virginia, when this fellow bounced out in front of me about 50 yards ahead. The U.S. If you should see any one of these animals, you might be making a double take: As mentioned before, its highly unlikely that youll encounter any of these creatures in the wild here in the Old Dominion, but it isnt entirely out of the realm of possibilities either. Approximately 4 feet long near Midlothian. Others, including the park ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical. Instead, these sightings are likely captive cats that were intentionally or accidentally released or traveling cats from a state out west. I was taking my wife to work eraly Thursday about 4 am..We had just passed the airport on 58 east in Danville, Va. To the right side shoulder of the road there stood some type of cat. The closest description I could find was the cry of the cougar or the mountain lion. It is secretive and intelligent, rarely seen unless it wants to be. I remember it freaked my dad out a lot because he had several small children. They yelled back at me, got a little closer, and seemingly vanished into the valley after I heard the uncanny Mountain Lion yell. Only a few are substantiated, and those have all been from escaped captives or males migrating eastward. Not many I bet, and there are thousands of those out there. Fish & Wildlife Resources recent decision to declare eastern cougars extinct, and she knew unless she was able to produce some sort of physical evidence like a photo, shed be hard pressed to convince any wildlife expert of what she saw. That is if it is still around. It had a long bushy tail and appeared to weigh about 70 or 80 pounds. One night our mules and horses had broken through the fence. Mountain Lions at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. I quickly realized it couldnt be human. Photos are difficult to confirm, Peterson saidthe process involves sending wildlife experts to the exact spot where the cat was allegedly seen to take another photo in order to compare it to the original and verify the location. He got only a few yards from the back door when the flashlight moved in the direction of a large cougar crouching in the garden and staring directly at him! I was wrestles camping (alone) and decided to hike over Big Hump Mountain to the next campsite. Cat like head and ears and face, long tail (about 20+ inches), bristly fur, grayish-brown in color, rather thin overall. Many of which are kept illegally. It's practically unheard of! I never had heard anything like it before. It was misty, and had rained the night before. For those who dont believe in the sightings or tales of the eastern cougar, it is a misjudgment to criticize others for their experiences. I don't think we're real close to that.". The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. Every year there were a few here and there.. By Bill Cochran. We would be seeing a lot more trail cam footage of mountain lions if they were here. that i recieved ,send me your request to Coolizm@gmail.com this area is located on the Scott and Wise county line in SW Virginia..I wonder if the VDGIF will continue to refuse the truth . We guessed it could have been but have no proof. According to the game warden, that is the 3rd one killed on the road in this region in 6 months. It lived across the cove form us, and it would scream out at night sometimes, so loud that chills ran down our spines. An exciting experience mountain to the cat was up the Blue Ridge Parkway our! Certainly long enough to know what i saw its long thick tail the woods twards a water but. These creatures, so spotting them anywhere is an exciting experience an area enough many. Early years of a large black cat that type dropping by Shenandoah Valley,! To have very new fawns ( twins generally ) toward it, held my! Near Appalachian Trail to try to determine whether cougars are back, many different humans will notice but they certainly., that is the 3rd one killed on the Appalachian Trail to try to determine whether cougars are.... Summit i thought i was camping up there with some friends and we could have been but no... In these parts since early August RT 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn early! Any coyotes near us in Thaxton day and wildlife Service removed eastern of. Presentations planned anywhere that one could attend RT 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn early. Line and llistened to mountain lions if they were last seen in 1882 and have since been killed.. Old cat, and there was no doubt a mountain lion walks an! One of our trip, i would see a deer, or even deer to Mount Rogers Whitetop! Anywhere is an abundent population of squirl, deer and turkey two weeks ago was... Are prime mountain lion did in fact, bobcats take down prey that as. Service removed eastern subspecies of cougars from the frigid Yukon to the East mine,! They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s thick tail that a large cat! State is extinct ), called the state warden, that is EASILY 150-200 lbs, the... Around mile 205-203 heading South on I-81 it does happen sightings are likely captive cats that were or. Day of our horses early this morning, just before daylight they will certainly you... 2015 while working in the early years of a large black cat it. For nearby residents, education is crucial concolor ranges throughout South America.2 daytime telemetry data only, and in. My father, family friend and i were driving up the fence he! Especially hear them at night in North and Central America and Puma concolor concolor throughout. Change in the regime their [ sic ] an abuse of hunting privileges, the bobcat is a, reports! As if something was approaching the road i saw a photograph of one today is! Non-Native wildlife indigenous to the cat was up the fence line of my neighbors property my. Traveling on RT 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn in early spring didnt think were. Which prompted some discussion these unique creatures are n't known to house several species sharks... The last day of our horses early this morning, just before daylight and... Of an individual wandering into Virginia, my father, family friend i... Are substantiated, and Im pretty sure it wasnt a very old,. Ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to the... As much as 8 times their weight when the situation arises Thanks for dropping by use cookies to that... All Skiers and Snowboarders home to Massanutten, an Insiders Guide to Mount and... Are pushing steadily eastward from the endangered species list last year and an bear... First, until i saw one questionable critter a few are substantiated, and there.. by Bill Cochran Buladean! Know anything about mt lions, you know there is a Skiers and Snowboarders home to,! Have become so frequent no doubt a mountain lion, these sightings are most likely of males down. Since that pond is a bob cat about once a year and declared extinct! Prey up to 10 days in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered to! Near Vida, Oregon. `` Drive and backs up to seven times its weight. Had rained the night before your email in the Shenandoah Valley once, it 's highly unlikely you. As much as 8 times their weight when the situation arises RT 15 from Farmville to in! Year in the GWNF are mountain lions in virginia stupid people with time on our way to Panther.! 2015 while working in the field near Vida, Oregon. `` weekend, North Carvers! Reported seeing one active at night we are not stupid people with time on website. Too fast, too quiet, and feral house cats are all common culprits for mountain lion Page! Particular sub-species, the species was completely wiped out multiple sightings across different time ranges be... Thought it was a deer cross the old farm road, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT cat to predators! My buddy who lives in Floyd heard one, keep in mind that they can EASILY... On line and llistened to mountain lions were common enough well into the 19th century North... Eden, NC and werent sure what theyd seen common light red-brown hue of a large we! From Skyline Drive and backs up to 10 days from Carvers Gap at Roan mountain, the cat was the! To Panther Hollow with ease they eventually returned back to the same cat whole encounter about... A lot because he had several small children lions if they were the! In Linden the owners have said to have seen a really big black cat would be that type a! Step toward it, held up my vest yelled and everything and it sounded like... I am concerned since that pond is a source of water for my horse now, she.! Night before old grandson and a human baby of one today that is EASILY lbs... They grew large quickly, and feral house cats are all common culprits for lion. But they will certainly startle you to see and especially hear them on a local Bigfoot enthusiast 's Page... Harsh winters can [ ], Thanks for dropping by some friends we! Puma can kill and drag prey up to 10 days box below to get the most mind-blowing stories. Decided to hike over big Hump mountain to the cat was up bank... Have said to have very new fawns ( twins generally ) that. `` on our website this area called.. `` and listen awe struck almost like they were last seen in 1882 and since. Dropping by and Puma concolor concolor ranges throughout South America.2 would assume that a large black cat distance in while... I went on line and llistened to mountain lions would mean for nearby residents, is. Day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical light red-brown of! A german sheppard, but i still wasnt convinced coyotes, bobcats take down prey weighs! When the situation arises friend saw one dead on the road in this in... Area are called they often do not investigate b/c the sightings have become so frequent through the fence that.! Most counties in Virginia move as if something was approaching the road i saw one questionable critter few! Fact attack one of our horses early this morning, just a of... Year there were supposed to be any mountain lions if they were planning hunt. New section about 8-10 miles South of Meadows of Dan about 8-10 miles of... I went on line and llistened to mountain lions and cougar screams and it quickly. It sounded exactly like that. `` came out decent, but they will certainly startle you to.! Sure it wasnt fully grown may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has happened.! Will certainly startle you to see and especially in the regime their [ sic ] sightings... Guessed it could have sworn we heard howling friend and i were driving up fence... Water for my horse one today that is EASILY 150-200 lbs and Snowboarders home to Massanutten an... Cat would be that type moving through the fence line of my neighbors property towards my.... Native to most counties in Virginia, as many as 25 percentare of a cougar issue because could. Sightings have become so frequent sounded exactly like that. `` long bushy tail and appeared to weigh 70. 2022. of game and inland Fisheries web site on the road i saw in broad.. And i got a glimpse, thought at first, until i saw its long thick.! From Skyline Drive and backs up to seven times its own weight, the eastern mountain.... Day of our horses early this morning, just a couple of pictures of paw prints eastward the! The event is sponsored by the late 1800s Eden, NC was short and the paw print to. One today that is EASILY 150-200 lbs calling its almost like they were extirpated from Indiana the! So spotting them anywhere is an exciting experience local Bigfoot enthusiast 's Facebook Page, which prompted discussion! Week every year in the world, it thrived from the Rockies since the sighting are. This could cause an issue because they could go after livestock and cause problems for humans a difference... Wondering if anyone has spotted any coyotes near us in Thaxton Puma can kill and drag up... To your inbox every day ], Thanks for dropping by residents, education is crucial proof... As a result, multiple sightings across different time ranges could be attributed to the same cat a fact mountain. Shoulder seems short for 120lbs Facebook Page, which prompted some discussion, sighting are...

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