Another Mt. Lion Is Murdered

[Stoneroller]

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/hunters-shoot-mountain-lion-near-macon

apparently getting near enough to kill a protected species justifies it being 'dangerous'. I'd call it ironic, but frankly it's just MORONIC. hope you hunters like competing with every poacher in the states cause they are all headed here for the open season we have on wildlife thanks to the MDC lack of action and complete disregard of the laws they are supposed to be upholding.

KIRKSVILLE Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed that a group of hunters killed a young male mountain lion west of La Plata, Mo., on Saturday, Jan. 22. According to conservation agents investigating the incident, the group was hunting coyotes on a landowner’s farm when several came within 20 yards of the big cat. None of the hunters had dogs. Members of the group immediately contacted conservation agents to report the incident.

At this time, no charges have been filed since it appears that the cougar presented enough danger to the hunters to warrant the shooting.

Mountain lions are protected under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The Code does allow the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. The incident must be reported to the MDC immediately and the intact carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered to the MDC within 24 hours.

The animal weighed 128 pounds. Members of the MDC Mountain Lion Response Team will examine the animal to gather additional information, including DNA, to help determine where the big cat came from.

This is the second young male mountain lion killed in Missouri this month and the fourth confirmed report of a mountain lion in Missouri since November.

“These four reports bring our total number of confirmed reports over the past 16 years to just 14,” said Rex Martensen of MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team.

Martensen added that, like in this situation, it appears that mountain lions seen in Missouri are young males roaming from other states in search of territory.

“Young male mountain lions go in search of new territories at about 18 months of age and during this time of year,” he explained. “To date, we have no evidence to suggest that a breeding population of mountain lions exists in Missouri.”

He added that mountain lions are nocturnal, secretive and generally avoid contact with humans.

Mountain lions (Puma concolor), also called cougars, panthers and pumas, were present in Missouri before pioneer settlement. The last documented Missouri mountain lion was killed in the Bootheel in 1927. The closest populations of mountain lions to Missouri are in South Dakota and a small population in northwest Nebraska.

Martensen added that MDC has never stocked or released mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other mountain-lion incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

[Wayne SW/MO]

At this time, no charges have been filed since it appears that the cougar presented enough danger to the hunters to warrant the shooting.

What a crock! They are concealed, calling coyotes, and a lion comes to the call, and armed to the teeth they're scared, good story.

[BredMan]

According to conservation agents investigating the incident, the group was hunting coyotes on a landowner’s farm when several came within 20 yards of the big cat. None of the hunters had dogs.

This story carries some real 'stink' to it in my opinion. I would like to know how that cat posed such a threat to a 'group of hunters' that it had to be shot. My gut feeling is that one or more in the group got trigger happy, shot the cat, and then they came up with some wild @$$ story to cover it up. I may be wrong, but it doesn't sound right to me either!

[ozark trout fisher]

I will no longer speak in the defense of the MDC. This is absolutely inexcusable.

They apparently have no courage, and they sure seem fond of taking the easy way out... They are afraid of prosecuting trigger happy people who shoot a protected species because they are scared of public opinion. And twice in what, two weeks? Absolutely sickening.

To think I defended them on so many issues for so many years. No more, if they don't file charges in this case. They are not doing their job. Mountain lions are a native species- they belong here. It is not the MDC's job to restore the species that are convenient to re-introduce. It is their job to restore Missouri's ecosystems to something like what they should be. And it seems they are failing here, or more accurately, not even trying. Elk are pretty, graceful, and pretty harmless. So let's reintroduce them. But those mountain lions are kinda scary, and it might make some people mad to truly protect them in a meaningful way...So who cares about 'em. That is what is going on here.

[laker67]

This story carries some real 'stink' to it in my opinion. I would like to know how that cat posed such a threat to a 'group of hunters' that it had to be shot. My gut feeling is that one or more in the group got trigger happy, shot the cat, and then they came up with some wild @$$ story to cover it up. I may be wrong, but it doesn't sound right to me either!

I say shoot every one of the dang things. Use them for bear bait and then shoot the bears. I am perfectly happy with them becoming extinct in missouri. I will do my part to make them a dying breed.

[ozark trout fisher]

I say shoot every one of the dang things. Use them for bear bait and then shoot the bears. I am perfectly happy with them becoming extinct in missouri. I will do my part to make them a dying breed.

I can't quite tell if you're kidding, but if you're not, then I don't quite know what to say...

I was going to go on a bit of a rant, but I won't on the off chance that you were kidding and just trying to stir the pot. But if you aren't kidding, say so, and then I'll tell you just what I think of your world view.

[laker67]

I can't quite tell if you're kidding, but if you're not, then I don't quite know what to say...

I was going to go on a bit of a rant, but I won't on the off chance that you were kidding and just trying to stir the pot. But if you aren't kidding, say so, and then I'll tell you just what I think of your world view.

Hello OTF. I knew you were out there looking at this thread. Shoot any squirrels today?

[creek wader]

With the rise in mountain lion sightings and now encounters, this debate will heat up and go on for a long time. The people that killed these lions are ignorant. I'm not calling them stupid. They just don't know any better. They come from the same mold as the people that kill snakes. Most snakes killed are not poisonous. Ironically, most snakebites come when people trying to kill or mess with them. When was the last reported death from a snakebite in Missouri? Better yet, when was the last snakebite death in Missouri, by a snake that wasn't being messed with? ..

Chances of getting attacked, worse yet killed by any wild animal in Missouri, (yet a mountain lion) is very slim. Mountain lion attacks (very rare), has happened in California in the past. The ones that I have heard of, were by females with cubs. Understandable. A female of any animal, including humans will go to great lengths to defend their off spring. All, confirmed mountain lions in Missouri have been males, (so far).

The lion killed a few weeks ago in Ray county was a male and was treed. Posing no threat. However, the hero that shot it, said that his neighbors have small children that play outdoors, so it posed a potential threat. .... That said. Your chances of being attacked by a dog is considerably greater than any wild animal. So, I guess, using these people's definition of being in danger. We shoot shoot every dog we see. Especially, the ones in town and in our neighborhoods. Because the chances of them attacking small children greatly increases.

Just my two cents.....

[jdmidwest]

Sounds like we are going to have a mountain lion season sooner than I thought. Looks like they are thicker than bears. Anybody know where I could find a Mountain Lion dog?

[Stoneroller]

I'll be your mt. lion tracker jd, they call me Stone "dick cheney" Roller. =D