Question for Illinois Deer Hunters

phantombuck · 08-23-2004, 04:22 PM

Just curious if any of you guys have seen any cougars while in the field? Up this way around Marion County there have been 2 cases of horses been mauled. Just curious, I keep hearin more and more about them. Thanks . CH

Wolfhound76 · 08-23-2004, 04:43 PM

We've got some locally (Pike County). A pair took out some ostriches owned by my wife's aunt. There are more than that around, but those are mainly from eye witness accounts.

bwhunter501 · 08-23-2004, 05:05 PM

iv never seen any but iv heard stories of people seeing them in my area i hunt in schyuler county.

phantombuck · 08-23-2004, 05:28 PM

yeah. pretty crazy feelin they're out there. but, i still haven't seen anything of 'em. the way i look at it, here are thousands of coyotes out there and i've seen one in the 6 years that i've hunted. so, i'm sure they're pretty few and far between. still makes ya think though. thanks guys. CH

brino · 08-23-2004, 07:14 PM

phantom, where in marion county did this happen?
Where do you live? I'm near Patoka

LLBUX · 08-24-2004, 05:30 PM

Supposed to be some in the area of my Greene County farm. I saw some 3 1/2" wide tracks the other day that looked right. My farmer swears he has seen one.

I'm hoping to get a pic on a deer cam some day.

Can't say that I believe, but the habitat is right down there and there are plenty of deer to feed one.

Good luck.

Bukmastr · 08-24-2004, 05:56 PM

HeyArnie, (LLBUX)
Long time since we talked. Just had to chime in, if I saw a 3-1/2 cat track, I THINK I WOULD BELEIVE!

BTBowhunter · 08-24-2004, 07:41 PM

swore I heard one in Pike two days in a row and the adjacent farmer found a track the same week.
They're out there!

phantombuck · 08-24-2004, 09:07 PM

i wonder what the chances are of coming across one. my guess is they'll stay clear of you unless they're cornered or they're starvin. they say the best thing to do if you come across one on your way into the woods or on the way out is to spread your legs as far apart as you can, then reach down and grab both ankles and put your head between your legs as far back as you can and kiss your butt goodbye! haha that's what my grandfather says.

anyway, can't wait to get into the woods!

CH

RiverBottomBowHunter · 08-25-2004, 09:52 AM

Do you think these cougars migrated down or have been released by someone with a pen.

Could people be seeing Big Bobcats. They are known to be in the area?