Missouri Cougar Near Steelville

[patfish]

Has anyone else gotten this e-mail. My buddy Charles sent this to me. He is a good ol boy but very "net savvy". The e-mail says.....

"Here is a photo of a cougar killed in steeleville, mo. the guy who shot it is 6 foot tall and weighs about 220 lbs. he was in a deer stand and saw the cat pass him downwind. he then saw it pass him upwind. When the cat passed him again (closer this time) downwind, he knew that it was hunting him?so, boom.

After viewing this, do you still feel safe in the woods?"

I think I'm calling BS... care to vote?

[flyfshn]

Actually heard that story....not sure if it is true

[creek wader]

Don't believe everything you read. I've gotten that same e-mail from several people, all claiming it was killed in thier state. It's been floating around cyber space for quite sometime, now. Check out this site; http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/mountainlion.asp It'll debunk the e-mail and several more. Including the man eating catfish, which is really a whale shark with its guts hanging out resembling a decomposing human. Although, the MDC confirmed a mountain lion siting, earlier this year, near Ft. Leonardwood.

[Trav]

I saw a cougar while driving down 65 near Marshall Ark back in the late 80s. It wasnt as big as that cat, but they are around.

[creek wader]

I'm a RR engineer in Missouri. We travel through remote places at all hours. Quite a few of my coworkers claimed to have seen a mountain lion or two. I saw "something " one time. It was in the low light hours. I couldn't be sure so, I just say I saw "something." Many of the encounters that my coworkers have had, was just south of Booneville along the river. That's roughly where I saw "something." Also, in the last two years I've seen 9 bobcat. All in the daylight hours, no confusing them. Something else we were seeing in the summer of 06' but, not since. Were armadillos, between Booneville and Jefferson City. I think last winter and this winter forced them back further south. Also, one train crew still swears that they saw a black bear near Lamine. Possible, but that's a little far north. I'm skepticle, after all, this is the "show me state".

[Trav]

There were reports of black bear in Nixa just last summer.

There is a little group of bobcat living close to my place. They are as common as the red fox. Now, I did see a grey/silver fox last winter. He sure was a pretty thing.

On another note, I have scene coyote inside the Branson city limits. Out near the meadows to be specific. You better lock up your pet poodle. Those guys live off of pets out in So Cal.

[brownieman]

That picture has been floating around for a good while...at my best I don't think I could have ever held that size cat up...I'll vote hoax.

Do have something on a strange animal event. Been several years back but one of my buddies dads was sitting waiting to turn at a 4 way stop in the middle of town...a 6 point buck running full tilt ran into the side of his truck...dazed the deer for a few seconds then he ran off, crunched the tar out of his truck door and broke the glass...kinda unusual, lol.

bm

[lakrat]

i call bs!

[crappiefisherman]

Trav, hey get me one of those bobcat kits this spring.Ive always wanted to try to raise one.I have had several bobtailed manx and common house cats and one im sure was cross bred but its gone now.I am sure others in here will be nay sayers but im serious.And for those who are sceptical of my intentions, I am an animal lover and wouldnt harm it .

[Trav]

Haha

My dog wont even chase a bobcat. Especially one with the protection of its mommy.

Back in the 70s my uncle had a friend who used to get animals as young and raise them. Coons, Squirrels, Skunks, you name it, and yes, even a bobcat once. Everyone of them turned out to a bad idea. Especially Coons. They have real Hyde and Jekyl side(s).

His bobcat was docile enough. To humans. That thing used to kill every house cat and yard dog he could get. Once it was about 3 years old or so, he had to give it to a large cat sanctuary to avoid criminal charges. Wild animals belog in the wild or in a facility where they can do what comes natural.

No BS.