MO Mt. Lion has a taste for imported elk

[Quillback]

Been a while since we had a Mt. Lion thread.  From the MDC:

MDC confirms 117th confirmed mountain lion sighting in Missouri

This sighting was confirmed in Shannon County on Sept. 12

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirms that an adult elk was killed by a mountain lion in Shannon County on Sept. 12.

Reports of a mountain lion sighting were sent to MDC staff early on Sept. 12, and members of MDC’s Large Carnivore Response Team responded to the area later that same day to confirm the sighting. Trail camera images were used to confirm that a mountain lion was in the area and had returned to the elk carcass to feed. “Mountain lions are natural predators to elk, and this scenario is nothing to be concerned about,” says MDC Furbearer Biologist Nate Bowersock. “Here in Missouri, we have an abundant of natural foods for mountain lions. While we do get questions regarding livestock, there has never been a confirmed instance of a mountain lion killing livestock in Missouri.”

Mountain lions are known to travel through Missouri, but there is no known breeding population in the state. MDC staff did collect genetic samples from the site which are in the process of being analyzed to provide further information about the animal such as the sex of the animal. Most confirmed sightings of mountain lions in Missouri are males.  

MDC continues to monitor confirmed mountain lion sightings in the state, and this sighting marks the 117^th confirmed sighting since 1994. Suspected mountain lion sightings can be reported to MDC

[fishinwrench]

Why wouldn't that Elk be considered "livestock" ?

[FishnDave]

18 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Why wouldn't that Elk be considered "livestock" ?

Because it was dead. 

[BilletHead]

18 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Why wouldn't that Elk be considered "livestock" ?

                  I am guessing penned privately owned elk would be livestock but if it is wild elk, it would not be. 

[BilletHead]

1 minute ago, FishnDave said:

Because it was dead. 

                Then it would be deadstock. Too funny Dave

[fishinwrench]

It "returned" after initially eating its asshole.   Such a regal puss!  

[FishnDave]

56 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

                Then it would be deadstock. Too funny Dave

And if a mountain lion attacks a "target practice" elk made from timber.... woodstock, right?

[snagged in outlet 3]

13 hours ago, FishnDave said:

And if a mountain lion attacks a "target practice" elk made from timber.... woodstock, right?

You’re reachin 😆

[Al Agnew]

But...but...but...MDC denies there are mountain lions in MO!  I see this on social media constantly, along with "they stocked (bears, rattlesnakes, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats)".  I still patiently explain that MDC said there were no mountain lions in the state because there was no REAL evidence.  Your grandpappy's stories of seeing them on the back 40 don't count as evidence, because MDC had no way of knowing the reliability of ordinary people as being able to identify mountain lions.  If there were as many of them as there are people saying they see them all the time, we'd be overrun with the critters. Once that evidence showed up (dead bodies, good tracks, game cam photos, etc.) MDC reported it. And there is still no evidence of a breeding population, but I suspect it's only a matter of time before that evidence shows up as well.

One big blurb on social media reported this and said, "be careful out there".  Yeah, right, mountain lions are going to be stalking hikers and floaters in MO any day now.  Living part of the year in great mountain lion country in Montana, I have exactly zero worries of mountain lions, or wolves, or black bears.  Grizzlies are another story...I'm paranoid about grizzlies...because a person gets chewed up by a grizzly about every year in Montana.

[fishinwrench]

I've seen 2. Both in Camden county, and it's been 18 years since the most recent. One was a big tan colored cat easing along the bank in brushy creek (purvis),  and the other was much darker with large body, ridiculously long tail, but a rather small head. Panther-Like.....and it was not intimidated by the noise of multiple chainsaws one bit. Outside of Laurie off O rd.

On both sightings I have guys that can back it up.  No hallucinations or mistaken identity.   

Nevertheless I've enjoyed living my entire life knowing that I was THE apex predator in the Missouri woods......and I'd kinda prefer to keep it that way.  👍