Originally Posted by
Lanse couche couche
Spaniel,
There have been at least three confirmed panthers killed in Illinois in the past 7 or 8 years: one in northwest Illininois, one in northeast illinois, and one in southwest illinois. So, no one is really debating whether or not they are in Illinois. The real issue is now how many and where?
3 killed in 7-8 years tells me they likely ARE breeding. Now you won't confirm that without locating a litter or doing a DNA study but as reclusive as lions are, this is pretty telling. Outdoorsmen out West where these animals are firmly established in huntable populations can go a lifetime without seeing a cat that wasn't treed by dogs first.