Mountain Lion Hit on I-44

[ozark trout fisher]

I guess I just don't identify with the "I don't want to have to think about it" mentality towards big predators in Missouri. If that were such a big problem, you wouldn't have so many fisherman going on trips to Montana, Colorado, and (gulp) Alaska.

I kind of enjoy the edge of not knowing exactly what that rustling in the bushes is. I also know that (a little extra edge) is basically all it is. Unless I'm walking through a blueberry meadow on Kodiak Island, there will ALWAYS be far greater concerns than any large predator causing my demise. Almost every trip out west, I have one "wow, that was kinda interesting" encounter with some type of large predator. But it's never actually because it was threatening. It's just because I happened to cross paths with a large animal who invariably responded by getting the hell out as quickly as possible.

[Tanderson15]

I have had them walk around me in Colorado for many years while elk hunting and calling. Some times you wonder, but I was never challenged. It's kind of cool to watch them. In the woods you are in their yard, just respect them.

[fishinwrench]

I kind of enjoy the edge of not knowing exactly what that rustling in the bushes is.

I like knowing that whatever it is, it isn't a cougar, wolf, grizzly bear, Gorilla, or Bigfoot.

[Feathers and Fins]

You will NEVER see Big Foot the dude is the "Hide n Seek" Champion!

Al, the ones in Cali (IMO) are a problem because of encroachment but also because they have become accustom to human contact, Trash cans at all the parks they learn are a food source, People feeding their cats and dogs outside, and some idiots feeding the cougars but more so the lack of prey available for them because of the constant building in to their area and the above listed activities, the cats have lost fear and started looking at humans as a source of food one way or another.

Same thing with Yotes and why they are becoming a problem out there OH! and cant forget the drought the state is always in forcing animals in to close quarters with people. Seriously what are they thinking you cant put 30million people in a desert without water and expect in lean times not expect to have critters come to you for water.

[ozark trout fisher]

I like knowing that whatever it is, it isn't a cougar, wolf, grizzly bear, Gorilla, or Bigfoot.

We'll just have to disagree on that.

What do you say, for a tiebreaker, we just go with whether the animal is supposed to be here in the first place? So if we're keeping score, yes on mountain lions, technically yes on wolves though there is no chance in heck we will ever have the habitat or the inclination in this state (to be clear though, if they would be even the tiniest blip on your radar screen in even a high population area, you need to research their behavior and the number of attacks that have actually occurred. It would calm your fears in a hurry.)

But moving on, no on Grizzly bears, gorillas, and bigfoot, the latter an invasive species with an exponential population rise since the invention of photoshop.

[Feathers and Fins]

Bigfoot is not invasive, he was here first and will be here long after we are gone and still be the Champ. But think about us he has given us such great Comedy shows like Finding Bigfoot and the drinking game to go with it and lets not forget his IMPORTANT role in the 6million dollar man.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Cougar, wolves, snakes, bears, ticks, spiders, snakes........

They are nothing compared to a Chupacabra or worse yet, my ex wife.

You run across either of these in the woods at night and you got trouble buddy.

Pete

BTW, dead armadillo at 364 and Kisker Road.

[Feathers and Fins]

Raising hand for fear of X-wife's

Irish, Redhead, New Yorker, you would have thought I would have known better with just one of the three. I was young and stupid.

[fishinwrench]

Ha! I have an ex that is a bipolar Apache Indian. She tried to kill me twice (over FISHING) then darn near got me sent to prison.

We don't speak anymore.

[Feathers and Fins]

Instead of worrying about Cats, I think we may have found the cure to terrorism... Simply send our X's wherever needed and let them loose on the enemy. Either they will eliminate the terrorist or the terrorist will eliminate them. Its a Win Win for the world.