Yeah, "they" say there are none of them in MS too, but try telling that to my neighbors that have lost cattle to them! One of them saw a big cat a couple years ago--this guy is normally very tan (farmer), but when he came out he was pale!

They are called "painters" around here (redneck version of panther I reckon), and both the tawny and black have been spotted. I saw something jet black a few years ago deer hunting a few mile from where I live. I couldn't swear that it was a cat, but it had a long tail and moved like a shadow--I just got a glimpse. The only reason I was looking in the right direction was because umpteen deer started blowing all at once, for no apparent reason. Dunno what the consequences would be if someone were to shoot one here. There is no open season, but on the other hand I've never seen anything about them in the regulations period. I guess I couldn't get a ticket for shooting an animal that doesn't exist here, could I?

Chad