Agreed on what you say, NY Outdoors. Still, I wonder how folks will feel about cougars returning when they are as common in every state as my research tells me they are becomming. Will people still regard sightings with awe? Will some regret the restrictions on their own freedom? Certainly we cannot imagine this, as we have deeply embeded, second generation fantasy impressions (Disney/Discovery/etc.) that currently replace our ancestors' survival instincts. I love to be quiet walking through the woods too, but where I live, a matter-of-fact person will look up and behind constantly and scan the surrounds. I have gotten used to being hyper-aware and actually enjoy my strolls, but in Colorado, we are allowed to carry. A human's natural defenses don't compare to those of many animals, so I choose to "equalize" myself somewhat just in case a cougar, bear, coyote pack or wolf pack doesn't have the shy instincts that many think they do, and they actually do need to eat what is available and easy. My unarmed walks used to feel peaceful and inspiring. Now my armed walks are pleasant still, but more challenging than relaxing.

Being a lover of more common crittere as well as of wildlife, I vote that you take the mutt to the pound if you try your 55 lb drum idea, and the pesky pooch is what you find. Regarding trapping cougars, I have heard only negative results for this effort. Surely will be interested if you do catch a BIG cat. Dunno what you should do to convince anyone that you did though, as we know bogus photos are pretty common and they will be suspect.

usa, My coauthor lives in Fallbrook. You're kinda near some of the more lethal-to-humans cougar action in Cali (Cuyamaca & Whiting Ranch) no? I agree cougars are in the boonies and in the towns in many areas of your state. Same thing here. I actually get more reports of cougars in our town than in our hills, but I assume this is because more people live in town to see and report them. Kinda surprised me when they first showed up out on the Colorado prairies. But, heck, they are now confirmed in adjoining Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Oh yes, and we are getting wolves that were introduced into Wyoming (Yellowstone) from the north and wolves that were introduced into New Mexico from the south. It is legal to protect livestock from them in northern CO but not southern CO. Huh?

Hi Ya, Cougardaville ~ Yuppers, some thinks dem to be fictional in NY. Not from multiple reports I have gotten. This pic doesn't confirm cougar, but I'd like any reasonable opinion as to what else makes the type of wound in this one of three pics you and others have sent of the horse kill. I recall NY authorities said coyotes were likely to blame, but note the lack of leg wounds necessary for coyotes to bring down a horse. Maybe it could have been a bobcat? If anyone is really interested in the technicalities of cougar wounds in horses, compare to this confirmed cougar wound in Washington state.