I actually think that in most cases,people aren't lying.They prbably really believe they saw a mountain lion.Some even take pictures but they've all turned out to be bobcats.Some see black ones.That simply shows a total lack of knowledge about what they're looking at.One of my best friends swears up and down that he saw one.I don't think he's lion but I don't believe that's what he actually saw.I do think thatthere's a distict possibilitythat we could have some in Pa but I don't believe for one minute any state agency put them here.There's a lot of crazy eco-extremists out there.It wouldn't surprise me one bit is a group of these lunatics were actually letting some go.However,in order for a population to take a foothold,it usually takes a huge effort for that to happen.When one shows up dead,I'll be a beliver.Until then,I'll remain convinced that most people are simply seeing what they want to see in their own mind.

In 2004 we had several feet of snow pack in this part of the state with a heavy crust on top.The snow was past my thighs from the end of January all the way into march.When a heavy crust develops and there's little to no browse,what do you expect the deer to eat?Mobility was extemely limited for the deer that winter and they had to expend alot of extra energy to move.If you don't think that had any effect on the deer,you have no idea what you're talking about.Once again,it isn't even the deer that died that made a big difference.It was the decreased fawn recruitment that had the biggest impact.Are you saying that during a bad winter,in poor habitat fawn recruitment can't be affected?If so,most biologists with an education and experience in the woods would strongly disagree with you.Last year we had a mild winter and we had another mild one this year.Derr numbers were up this past year and they'll be up again this year as well.I saw my first set of twins this morning in my yard.