all this talk about cougars in the east

ulysses · 11-19-2004, 10:30 AM

every time I read somewhere about cougar sightins here in the east I know immeditately that someone is going to post that they aren't here and try to make a fool of the poster for saying it.
Well I got some new for you doubters...they are here! Back in the 60s one was in the Pa Game Commissions mag called THE GAME NEWS that was killed in Sullivan Co, Pa, PGC personel themselves were quoted as saying it did not have any visual markings on being a released cat .
Then in 1976 I not only saw one myself but I had my coon hound torn up real good by one. How'd I know it was a cougar and not a bobcat? Cause Ole Duke ran him up a tree and I shot him in the guts, out of the tree he come with Duke chasing him .Then after a bit Duke came back all torn up.
In 1983 my brother in law caught one in a coyote trap in Tioga co. and this was at a time when coyotes were not suppose to be here in Pa according to the Game commission, yet he also caught 7 'yotes that winter.
I myself have not seen one in a few years but I did see tracks where my wife took me after one ran across the road in front of her car 2 years ago. And I amy be getting old but I killed enopugh cats in front of my hounds when I lived out in New Mexico to tell a cat track BTW it was about a 145# cat.

BarnesX.308 · 11-19-2004, 11:15 AM

I've never seen one but I've heard enough reports over the years to think that it's certainly possible. There are some pretty remote areas where a secretive animal (like a cougar) could hide in. I found a chewed up white tail that was buried in the snow a few years ago in Sullivan County. I wondered if it could have been a cougar. Could it have been coyotes or a bear? Do you know where in Sullivan County this cougar was killed?

ulysses · 11-19-2004, 11:54 AM

that was 40 yrs ago or so but as I recall it was around Benton.The guy was turkey hunting and it sneaked up on him while he was calling. The PGC Game News must be archived somewhere. it would be nice if one of these young PC users could find where and print it for all these doubters to read for themselves.
Remember that for years the PGC claimed that there were no coyotes in Pa either it is only the last 15 yrs or so that they say they came in. Before that the PGC claimed they were "coydogs" a hybrid mix of house dog an a stray 'yote that had escaped from captivity.
My my how things get forgotten (sometimes on purpose) by the PGC

cardeer · 11-19-2004, 01:06 PM

I believe very little of the any statistics the PGC post on anything.

MikeE51848 · 11-19-2004, 02:04 PM

Quote:

someone is going to post that they aren't here and try to make a fool of the poster for saying it.

Mulder and Scully are hot on it's trail!

Cougardaville · 11-21-2004, 07:40 AM

Hi ulysses, YES they are here! I have been taking sighting reports for some time now, actually could make it a full time job here.This past 2 weeks has been very busy with reports. We have a high population as far as I am concerned, the reason I take reports is so that when I get 3 in a day, in around same time and 10 miles apart you know it is not all the same cat!! You could offer much advise with these predators being you have hunted them. I have tracks and a burial i want to get posted. I also have a web site www.Trackincats.com go there, still being built, but read Why we do it! Sorry about your hound I am worried about my farm dogs.
So much to this ..............