BIG Cat

[Big_country]

At first i thought i was seeing things, when i saw what appeard to be a mountain lion,:confused: but three other people have seen the same thing from the same little vacinity i would say 2 mile radious. is this possible for the clay county area. should we have these here

[weedwalker]

Yes, they have been seen around here, even photographed and videoed. But the DNR says they don't exist.

[Sand Gap Sniper]

Don't worry, nothing will eat clay county people!!! :D

[weedwalker]

I ain't worried, I live 1/2 mile over the line in Laurel Co.

[Sand Gap Sniper]

I ain't worried, I live 1/2 mile over the line in Laurel Co.

Stay on your side of the line. I live in Jackson County, and I haven't heard about any of us getting eat lately either.

[Snareman2]

Are those wet or dry territories?

[weedwalker]

Are those wet or dry territories?

Officially "Dry":D:D:D, but if you want it, it's here. :D

[weedwalker]

Stay on your side of the line. I live in Jackson County, and I haven't heard about any of us getting eat lately either.

I get over to Jackson Co sometimes. But I go around the corner of Clay Co to get there to stay out of trouble. :D

[Sand Gap Sniper]

I get over to Jackson Co sometimes. But I go around the corner of Clay Co to get there to stay out of trouble. :D

Good plan.

[Thunder Head]

Yes, they have been seen around here, even photographed and videoed. But the DNR says they don't exist.

I would like to see some of those pictures or video.

[StaleyEMT]

Yea,me too. I've always heard big cats were around, but I haven't seen
any thing larger than a bobcat.

[TaylorCoHunter]

A guy from near Knifley in Adair county got a cougar on his game camera. I've seen the pictures...it is a cougar, no doubt at all.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Show me the MONEY! A lot of folks claim to have seen the "pictures" and the "footage", if thats the case, show it! I've heard lots of people testify to seeing a big cat, but for me, it would be much easier to believe a trail camera picture then you.

[bigpuddin43]

they very well could be here but the thing of it is most biologist only look at populations which entails breeding one here and there are not considered a breeding population so as far as biologist are conserned they arent here but id say there are some scattered around!!

[weedwalker]

Show me the MONEY! A lot of folks claim to have seen the "pictures" and the "footage", if thats the case, show it! I've heard lots of people testify to seeing a big cat, but for me, it would be much easier to believe a trail camera picture then you.

EMH, I have never seen you. You don't exist. Untill I actually see you for myself, there are not enough credible people in Ky to convince me otherwise. :cool:

[BunnyBuster]

No wonder the "1 posters" "come and go" with replys like this. Why not prove that he didn't see the cat.:rolleyes:

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

EMH, I have never seen you. You don't exist. Untill I actually see you for myself, there are not enough credible people in Ky to convince me otherwise. :cool:


True, you have never seen me, but you are seeing evidence of me. My text alone shows that somebody is typing from eky.mtn.hunter account.

Lets think about mountian lions. What are they leaving behind in Kentucky to justify they are infact here? Do you have any pictures of lion scat? Do you know ANYONE who has got a trailcam picture of an actual cat here in KY? Do you have or know of anyone who has a picture of a paw track in the soil? Do you know anyone who has found deer carcasses on their property that show signs of mountian lion attack?

It is a little hard for me to believe that there isn't a few lions running these hills. In my mind there very well could be a few. BUT until I see some hard evidence I will tend to believe there aren't any wild mountian lions in Kentucky.

Have you ever thought about ALL the trailcams across this state? Mtn. Lions pray on whitetail. Surely to god one would scent track a pack of does until he arrived squarely infront of a cuddie back. Surely to god some farmer or hunter would stumble across a deer carcass obviously mutilated by a mountian lion. But these things have not occured yet.

I would think that most hunters wouldn't want mountian lions in Kentucky, but I agree that we are all attracted to the lure of "are they here." We like talking about the mystery of big cats in Kentucky...

[AteUp]

Ok here's the pic everyone is waiting for.

http://www.musicats.com/weird/critters/fat_cat.jpg

[turkeytalker]

http://www.mountainlion.org/sendbinary.asp?path=C%3A%5CInetpub%5Cwww%5Cstli%5C lion%5Cupload%5C06%2D29%2D07+George+Weurthner%2C+B ig+Wildlife%2Ejpg&Height=150&Width=180

Got this one off my trail cam in Barren Co. just tonight.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Lmao, nice try turkeytalker!

[peckprice]

I usually avoid these posts like the plague, but since you guys took some "shots" at Clay County, I think I will jump in with both feet. Both my brother and myself have both seen "big" cats. I saw a very large black phase one while turkey hunting about 5 years ago. It literally ran out from under my feet as I was walking an old logging road. It made about 3 jumps and was gone. My brother saw a regular color phase cat cross the road in front of his work truck one morning. That was about 3 years ago in the Red Bird area. We have both been "raised" in the woods and aren't normally susceptible to hallucinations. But I do see EKY.Mtn.Hunters point also. If there is one thing that Clay County has, is outdoorsmen. If there were Mt. Lions running all over the place, there would be some that eventually got killed. There was a rumor last year that a "black panther" was killed in the Sexton's Creek area of Clay County, but I could never uncover the source of the rumor. So the jury is still out on that one. One other point, 4-5 years ago, I would chuckle when someone mentioned seeing an otter here in Clay County. I don't anymore. Good luck and have a good time with this post. I am expecting it.

[Thunder Head]

I only have one problem with all the cougar sightings.
If you go to western hunting forums just like this one. You can find plenty of trailcam pics. of lions hunting through the same areas that deer and elk use. This tells me minus the released pet or two there is not a viable poulation anywhere in the appalacians. Not to mention sooner or later one would try to eat one of the millions of hikers on the AT.

[shaman]

Here's my story. I saw a black panther back almost ten years ago. I called the Cincinnati Zoo after I got back home, and they said that no panthers or mountain lions existed east of the Mississippi.

What's the Strangest Animal I've Ever Seen? (http://blackholecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/2004/08/whats-strangest-animal-ive-ever-seen.html)

I was there. I saw it. I also have seen many instances of big, deep, fresh tracks in the Big South Fork. Count me as a converted skeptic.

[25-06]

Guy's , I am from Perry County and I married a lady from Clay county,So I know where you are talking about. If there is a cougar,mountain lion,puma,whatever you want to call it there would be no better place in the state than Redbird. I have hunted this area for years,mostly grouse hunting. Alot of territory and rough as a cobb.

I might be wrong ,but I dont think so. I remember reading an article in Ky Game&Fish several years back where some biologists done a study in the DBNF that surrounds Cave Run Lake and did actually find cat scat and using DNA analysis they determined it was actually from a cougar. I think the title of the article was Cougars east of the mississippi or something like that. It also mentioned some research done in Michigan that had the same results.

I dont know if they are here. I have never seen one and I have spent alot of time in the woods in my life,but I will not say they dont exist here because I didnt think I would ever see a bear in my backyard either but I did last month so I will just sit back and watch.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

I just won't accept that they are here until I see some proof. Stories and words won't work for me.

[kyfanatic]

Here's my story. I saw a black panther back almost ten years ago. I called the Cincinnati Zoo after I got back home, and they said that no panthers or mountain lions existed east of the Mississippi.

What's the Strangest Animal I've Ever Seen? (http://blackholecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/2004/08/whats-strangest-animal-ive-ever-seen.html)

I was there. I saw it. I also have seen many instances of big, deep, fresh tracks in the Big South Fork. Count me as a converted skeptic.

Better tell the folks at the Cincinnati Zoo that there is a documented population in Florida that has steadily been migrating north for several years now,you might mention the documented sign and bodies of cougars in Illinois,Louisiana,West Virginia,New York,New Jersey,Maine,and Massachusetts
http://www.cougarnet.org/totalus.html


Might even mention the cougar kitten killed in Floyd county,Ky and the body is at UK.There was a mother and at least one other kitten sighted at the road kill. I really don't care if it was half south american cougar,if it's running around breeding kittens then it's a wild cougar in Kentucky,or maybe we should call the Kentucky Elk by the name of the state they originally came from?Anybody that denies the fact that cougars have steadily been migrating east over the past several years is just plain closed minded and blind to the facts.
Do I have a picture? No,but I personally saw a cougar in the mid-70's in Lee county,Virginia not too far from the Kentucky state line,I've also found tracks while Ginseng hunting near Trace Branch in Leslie county,but wasn't carrying a camera at the time two years ago.I now carry a camera while outdoors.

Here's another thought for you non-believers,when was last time you saw a weasel?

[KYBOY]

I remember the kitten being killed here. It was about 10 minutes from my house......I have a pic if anyone wants to see it..Most have I would say.

[slickhead slayer]

Here's another thought for you non-believers,when was last time you saw a weasel?

Last time I went to a UL basketball game.

[kyfanatic]

Last time I went to a UL basketball game.


LOL!!! Goodun'

[Shelbyhunter]

LOL!!! Goodun'

plenty of weasels there!

[AteUp]

Could you have an easier crowd here Slickhead?:eek: It's like telling Jew jokes at a Nazi convention.;)

[KYBOY]

Naw, this is easier:eek::D

[scrape]

Those cats are like big foot sightings. You always here about one, but never see it.

[BunnyBuster]

Last time I went to a UL basketball game.


You are my hero!!:D

[weedwalker]

Those cats are like big foot sightings. You always here about one, but never see it.

There ain't no big cats? And now you're saying there isn't really a bigfoot? :confused: I bet y'all be telling me next there ain't no Santa Clause or Easter Bunny.:eek:

[KYBOY]

Those cats are like big foot sightings. You always here about one, but never see it.
If you ever saw my foot you might take that back,LOL:D

[kyfanatic]

file:///C:/My%20Documents/Trail%20Cam%20Deer%20Kill.jpeg

[BunnyBuster]

file:///C:/My%20Documents/Trail%20Cam%20Deer%20Kill.jpeg

didn't see anything:confused:

[huntindawoods]

I'm not saying one way or the other if there is mountian lions around,but people have said for the last 6 or 7 years there is a black panther running around metcalfe and adair co. line where i hunt. My dad said he has saw it on his farm my cousin said it has crossed in front of him driving home late one night, but I haven't saw it yet. Me and my uncle notimlimt hunt the same farm we have both had trail cameras out different places troughout the woods about all season long and have yet to see anything but turkey,deer, squirrels bobcats. Now don't get me wrong I don't want say I don't believe it but you would think someone could get a confirmed picture some time another. I say at one time or another mountian lions did probably roam Ky.

[hunterman1971]

I just seen a pic of 1 taking by a game cam i couldn't believe it its up around hart co

[weedwalker]

Where's the picture?

[DOGY]

Hey Big Country, are you seeing things in your mind.:o:o:o I though you would like this, just joking. Now get off this thing and go to work.:D

[Jimmie in Ky]

I too was a skeptic but fellows I knew to be trustworthy and honest were telling me of such things as well. http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb131/JDViniard/CAT02.jpg

At least I hope that works. My boot tracks and Joe's ciggarette pack laying beside the tracks. And your not too likely to find sign in the normal places you would think to look. Where I found this line of tracks the cat was trying to stay out of the way of the local coyote population. It intentionally left the trail just ahead of the area where the coyotes came into it. Sooner or later some predator caller is going to get a good look at one of these elusive animnals here. Jimmie

[weedwalker]

Any of you catch the 27 WYMT news at 6PM yesterday? Mountain Lion on E. Ky golf course. They kept showing a picture of a bobcat that was trapped there last year, but the eyewitnesses they interviewed said it was a big cat with a long thick tail. Also they talked about the bobcat from last year, that is was so big they thought it was some type of hybrid. They didn't go into what would cross with a bobcat to make it bigger.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Thanks for sharing Jimme. Weedwalker, again you pass on more he saw, she saw, they said reports. Those accounts might be enough for you, but not for a lot of folks on here.

[weedwalker]

EKM, you're still very young. One of these days you'll be able to add a sighting to your list of lifes experiences. Just keep looking.:D
And you have proved to me you do exist. You left a scat pile here.:D

[kyfanatic]

http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p29/kyfanatic/?action=view&current=030507_cougar.jpg

[Jimmie in Ky]

I once found a gray fox with it's neck broke and bobcat tracks right next to it. The whole works was so fresh that I believe I accidently caused the cat to abandone the kill. No one believes that one to this day. I was fifteen and bobcat sightings in this end of the state were almost as rare as hens teeth at the time.

These cat tracks I posted above are here in western Ky. I found these at least 20 miles from where I was asked to look for them two years ago. A photographer I did a favor for last winter also told me of finding tracks near the area where I found these.This photographer makes her living with photos of western Ky and is a fair woodsman. Or how about a person who works in that area that swears that he saw cats or a cat on two diferent occassions. His co workers rag him about seeing things. I don't believe the man is lying . He asked me to help him prove it. Should I doubt what they saw?

I have the proof and a witness to my taking the pics right here in western Ky. These big cats are here by some means , whether they were released pets or migrated here from elsewhere. I see no reason why they should not be scattered all across the state. We have too many parks near one large city or another where folks thought it was so neat to keep such animals as pets. Both the LBL and Mammoth cave are within easy driving distance of Nasheville. There are at least two parks in west Tennessee not too far from Memphis along the river bottoms, and the second of these is not too awful far from an area where I am hearing others claim they have seen cougars as well. I see a day coming where there will be very few sceptics left as to whether we have cougars or not here in Ky. Jimmie

[Highbow]

The guy who took the big cat pictures on Stone Crest Golf Course told very plainly what they saw. It's not the first time it was spotted there and within the last four weeks there have been many calls to the 911 dispatch of the large brown mountain loin being seen in different areas around the Johnson Co roads & fields, not the same one either.

[KYBOY]

I didnt know it was on stone crest. I just knew it was in E.Ky..Stone crest is right on the edge of Dewey lake WMA.

[Deer Hunter]

Well i live in North West Arkansas. They say we dont have big cats here either. And if you ever claim you have saw one your imeadiately labeled a lier.

And i can not say i have really herd of any big cat siteings over the years. I can say this for a fact. When going to the deer woods in the fall of 1979 about 4 a.m. me and my father-in-law both saw a black puma come running down the side of a hill, it run underneath a pick up truck that had a over head camper on it. Then it ran to the back of the truck reared up on its back feet putting both front feet on the camper door. Then it jumped back down on the ground and ran across the high way in front of us off into the dark. So we got a very good look at it.

The area we saw it at was very remote, up in the mountains. You can beleave it or not. It does not matter to me. I have never seen one since. It was in the North Central part of the state where i saw this at.

I just read an article the other day where they thought a puma, mountain lion what ever you want to call it, killed a 41 year old woman about 50 miles futher North East of where i saw my cat. That was suppose to happened 5/03/03.

From where that happened to Western Kentucky is less than 200 miles i would guess. Now not long ago not to much futher North into Mosouri they did get a picture of a puma on a trail cam. It was on the news here and i have since seen the story and picture circulating on the internet.

Had i not seen the cat i did in 79 myself. I probably would not think we have any big cats here. And even though i saw one myself. I am still not so sure it was a wild cat. I have herd of people raising them and then turning them lose because they could not take care of them when they got grown.

Someone did turn lose some african lions in Norh West Arkansas 4 or 5 years ago and there were 4 of them shot by people who lived there. It was on the news also.

Some guy from Texas moved in there who had a animal rescue for lions. He brought 16 african lions with him. The people who lives there tried to stop him from putting his animal rescue shelter there, but couldnt do anything about it.

He said he told officials that the four lions that had been killed were not any of his. The sheriff seemed to think that if he was telling the truth that someone dropped them off on his refuge to get rid of them. Since the guy had a limit on the number of cats he could take care of.

I forgot to mention, the truck with the camper was parked in a camping area and the people inside i guess were still asleep if there was anyone in it. I am sure if they were they had no idea that ever happened unless the cat left its paw prints on the camper door and they saw it.

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

EKM, you're still very young. One of these days you'll be able to add a sighting to your list of lifes experiences. Just keep looking.:D
And you have proved to me you do exist. You left a scat pile here.:D

LOL, even though you smoked me with that reply, I must honestly say it was one of the better comeback posts I've ever read. Will just leave it at that w-walker.

[weedwalker]

LOL.:D EkyMH, Don't get me wrong. I'm still waiting to go huntin' with ya down at Pineville. Maybe we can find one down there.:D

[Jimmie in Ky]

Anybody else noticing that all of these sighting we hear about are located on or very near some type of WMA?
That in itself should be telling us a lot about how they got here in my opinion. I have heard six reports from one area that involve two totally diferent cats. They describe two diferent color phases of cougar,grey and tan.Jimmie

[quackrstackr]

Anybody else noticing that all of these sighting we hear about are located on or very near some type of WMA?
That in itself should be telling us a lot about how they got here in my opinion.

If that was an assertion that cat sightings are a result of some sort of restocking effort, that's a pretty far leap in logic, IMO.

WMAs are normally the largets blocks of undeveloped habitat in a given area where an animal of that type would probably gravitate to. They also have a lot more daily traffic than most private lands which would lend itself to more incidental sightings.

Couple the ease of access with the habitat and that would probably be the prime area of consideration for a "pet" dump should they choose to do so over just shewing it out their back door.

[caveman]

The Rangers at Mammoth Cave Nation Park have confirmed that there ARE mountain lions (or cougars) in the park. Heard it first hand back in July. They've been setting out trail cameras for a couple of yrs. Guess they got some on film.

[JoshuaS.]

There are no MT.Lions in Kentucky?? That is like the guys that say there are no wild hogs in Western Kentucky. My uncle and his friends have cought them in traps. I have seen tracks that were to big to be a bobcat. Just no camera to prove it. I have never seen an otter but they say they are here. I have never seen a wild elk but they are said to be in the hills of Kentucky. If someone posted a picture of a Cougar they took in Kentucky most people would say the picture was not taken here. The only way some of the people would believe it is if the cat's picture was taken under a road sign that said Welcome to Kentucky. Then there would still be people saying Photo shop. :p

[Deer Hunter]

Here is a little something to think about, check this site out. www.easterncougarnet.org We have always been told we dont have cougars here in Arkansas to. But look at the above link and notice who has made the majority of the siteings.

[Jimmie in Ky]

Pet dump is exactly where I was going with that Quacker.Where in the heck else could they go in the middle of the night and not be likely to run into someone. Some places they could even get by with it during the middle of the day!! Good habitat and plenty of feed in most of them.A number of these places are no hunting or limited access for part of the year. No humans live there so the chances of the animals getting spotted are fairly slim once they learn to hunt on their own.

State doesn't need to stock anything exotic. We have to many fools with crazy pets for that. Jimmie

[bigpuddin43]

whats exotic? u dont think cougars ever roamed these areas?

[Green River]

I want to share some experiences that my family and their neighbors have had with a "black panther" in Hart Co.

I no longer live in Hart Co. but I have family that live on a ridge towards Cub Run.

Everyone on the ridge has seen the puma/panther (whatever it is) a lot recently. My grandma, two uncles, a cousin, a neighbor and 5 separate Amish families have all seen it this year on numerous occasions. They describe it as being almost jet black with a tail as long as the body.

One of my uncles said he observed it through binoculars on two occasions behind his house in a hay field. He said it's body was about the size of a medium/large sized dog.

Escaped pet? Maybe, but it's as real as I am sitting here typing. None of these people have any reason to lie about it and they have all seen the same thing. Most of the people who live on the ridge have been there for many many years and have never seen anything like it.

[Green River]

Here is a press release from the National Park Service.

Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Patrick Reed announced on June 7, 2006, that reports of cougar sightings within the park have increased in the past nine months. Three reports have been received since September 2005.

“Right now, we don’t have a lot of information,” said Reed. “These are only sightings. We have not recovered any hard evidence of a cougar in the park. The existence of a cougar in Mammoth Cave National Park would be unusual because we are hundreds of miles from where cougars are known to exist. However, for the safety of our visitors, employees, and park neighbors, we’d like to make them aware of the sightings.”
Park staff are in consultation with state and federal officials regarding the likelihood of a native cougar (Puma concolor, also known as mountain lion, puma, panther and catamount) immigrating into the area, or the possibility of a non-native animal being illegally released here. In addition, park staff are attempting to confirm these sightings by obtaining credible field evidence - photo, scat, hair, tracks, or an animal killed by a cougar. Presently, cougar populations can be found in southern Florida, from the Rocky Mountains west to the Pacific coast, the Dakotas, Missouri, and south Texas. Male cougars appear to be expanding their range eastward towards the Mississippi River. A single male cougar’s home range can be from 125 square miles to 175 square miles - Mammoth Cave National Park is 80 square miles.

Park staff are also compiling a list of safety tips based on those used in National Park Service areas where cougars are present:
Always hike, backpack, and camp with a companion. Be aware of your surroundings.

If you see a cougar, make eye contact and stand your ground. Make yourself appear large by shouting and waving your arms. Do not bend over or crouch down. Back away slowly - never run from a cougar; this may trigger their instinct to chase. Fight back aggressively if attacked.
Supervise children closely. Don’t allow them to run ahead or lag behind.
“There have been isolated reports of cougars in the park since the 1960s,” added Reed. “The frequency of the recent cougar sightings, and the fact that some of the reports came from our own staff, has raised our level of attention. If there is a cougar using the park, the level of risk to humans is likely to be very low. Mammoth Cave National Park is a natural place - it is not tame. Be aware and respectful of all the park inhabitants - butterfly or tick, wildflower or poison ivy, raccoon or possibly a cougar.”


(News release courtesy of The National Park Service.)

[Valley Station]

All the Ol'Timers down around the "park", around Cub Run, Northtown, Forestville, always talked about The Park turnin' bears and mountain lions loose to control the deer herd.
Another story told in those parts, was about a train derailment in the early 1900's around Horse Cave carrying circus animals and they never recovered all the big cats.
Liable to see most anything after a trip to the local "bootleggers" house.

[25-06]

Well,I remember the kitten that was killed in Floyd County . The driver of the car said there was a big one and another about the same size as the one she hit crossed before she hit the one kitten. I have done some research on articles in different magazines and press releases and I found the one I mentioned earlier where they done some studies in the DBNF using DNA testing to prove sign they found was definetly cougar sign. Of course these biologist that performed these studies had no affiliation with the KDFWR,but they confirmed it! And I found several confirmed sightings with photos in Illinois,West Virginia,Virginia,and Michigan. Wasnt there a piece on the news earlier this year where a reporter filmed a cougar in northern Ky. around Maysville or somewhere,seems like it was being seen around an animal shelter or something?
I have never seen one,I know people that say they have and alot of them dont carry a lot of credibility with me,but some do,so I dont know-everyone that knows me knows I spend alot of time in the woods in Eastern Ky. Looks like I would have atleast found some sign, I did get a trailcam pic of a big cat,but I just think its an extremely huge bobcat,but it dont have any markings or spots like a bobcat and I cant see a tail.Alot of the people I have showed it to say its a cougar,but I dont know. It was taken with a 35mm cam,so tonight I will try to take a picture of the picture with my digital and post it.

[yote hunter]

http://www.cryptozoology.com/articles/bigcats.php
good read

[KYBOY]

Here is the one killed in Floyd county. It was hit on the road about 10 minutes rfom my house. I have never seen one. I will say that at least two people that I trust absolutly have told me they saw them. These are good men who have hunted longer than most of us have been alive. I cant say for certain myself but heres the real deal....I found a cat track once that did make me really stop and look. I still wont say for certain, but im a lifelong trapper and i will say for certain it was no bobcat track...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/kytrapper/kc.jpg

[deadaim]

Fight back aggressively if attacked.

Thats too funny :)

[rcurry]

Ok here's the pic everyone is waiting for.

http://www.musicats.com/weird/critters/fat_cat.jpg
That must be a record holder on size/weight! I thought my Mom had a large cat! She will have to see your picture.

[landowner]

Here is some 2007 infor. There have been other sightings. Hope this helps.
The public is encouraged to submit information on sightings or evidence of wild eastern cougars. Submissions received by March 30 will be included in the status review, but later submissions are also useful. The mailing address is: Eastern Cougar, Northeast Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035. E-mail to EasternCougar@fws.gov. For more information on this eastern cougar project, go to www.fws.gov/

[Low Gap Hunter]

why wouldn't we think couger were here? they are a roaming animal who will travel great distances to find new territory. I don't think there is a huge population here but I do think there are probably 10 or more in east KY, thats just a guess no one really knows. they are native to this part of the country, or at least used to be, why they left im not sure, could have been overhunting or lack of food, but one thing is for sure there is an abundance of rual areas and vast wilderness here in kentucky for a cat to roam and not be seen. how many people has ever seen a black bear? we all know there here but ive never seen one. I did however about 15 years ago seen one at the foot of Oil Spring hill in Johnson Co. there isnt a doubt in my mind that that was anything else than a panther or couger. it was coal black about 6 feet long with a tail that was as long as its body, it slowly walked across a bottom i was getting ready to cross myself. it was a massive cat and i wouldn't want to get in its way. its something I will never forget and wished i had a camera to prove to some people in this area they are here.

[revkev]

I was raised in the NE part of Oklahoma and the NW part of Arkansas and I have seen two cougars in my lifetime. One was in NE Oklahoma in Cherokee County and the other was in Cental Oklahoma about 40 miles East of Oklahoma City while I was dear hunting in 1988. I was deer hunting with my Asst. Pastor when I saw what I thought was a deer coming down to drink at the River. As it got closer I then realized it was a cat a very very big cat. I had a British 303 with nine rounds and I was scared to death. I was so glad there was a river between me and it. My Asst. Pastor and went over later that morning and saw the large tracks in the mud. I was sixteen years old and I had been hunting for only about 6 years when I saw the cougar. A couple of years later at my home farm in Rose,Oklahoma I saw a solid black cougar while deer hunting about two miles behind our house. The land is very mountainous and the Forrestry Service has a Fire tower on the property to overlook the wilderness area.

The cougar was on the side of a mountain where there is a med size cave located in the side about half way up.

The Game warden was a friend of mine and he believed me and told me that I was about the 20th person to report the siting in that area.

Now that I have moved to Pineville,Ky to pastor I hear of cougars and bears regularly so I don't doubt it being possible.

Rev. Kevin

[CSS archer]

I don't believe there is a wild breeding population of cougars in KY. The Floyd CO roadkill was half South American (from DNA testing) thus from an escaped pet.

Cougars eat deer, about one a week, those carcasses would be noticed by folks. They would also show up on trailcams.

People think they see black panthers all the time, they don't exist. The only large black cat on the North American continent is a melanistic jaquar of Mexico and Central America. Cougars have never been documented in a black phase.

Cougars are not protected in KY, they are considered an escaped exotic pet at this time. If I see one while I'm hunting I'll show it to you.

[revkev]

I don't believe there is a wild breeding population of cougars in KY. The Floyd CO roadkill was half South American (from DNA testing) thus from an escaped pet.

Cougars eat deer, about one a week, those carcasses would be noticed by folks. They would also show up on trailcams.

People think they see black panthers all the time, they don't exist. The only large black cat on the North American continent is a melanistic jaquar of Mexico and Central America. Cougars have never been documented in a black phase.

Cougars are not protected in KY, they are considered an escaped exotic pet at this time. If I see one while I'm hunting I'll show it to you.


So I guess you are implying that I need to go to liars anonymous?:)

I have worked for KDFW for 2 years and the biologists I have spoken to told me that there are black cougars here in North America. And I know what I saw. I'm not saying that they aren't pets turned out but if they breed their offspring can have black pigmentation.

Rev. Kevin

[slickhead slayer]

So I guess you are implying that I need to go to liars anonymous?:)

I have worked for KDFW for 2 years and the biologists I have spoken to told me that there are black cougars here in North America. And I know what I saw. I'm not saying that they aren't pets turned out but if they breed their offspring can have black pigmentation.

Rev. Kevin

Better not pull the ......."I talked to a Fish and Wildlife biologist" when your talking to a Fish and Wildlife biologist.;)

[revkev]

Better not pull the ......."I talked to a Fish and Wildlife biologist" when your talking to a Fish and Wildlife biologist.;)

I doubt if he is the only biologist out there and it is obvious that he is wrong..Why? Because he disagreed with me. LOL:)

[KYBOY]

[quote=CSS archer;459950]I don't believe there is a wild breeding population of cougars in KY. The Floyd CO roadkill was half South American (from DNA testing) thus from an escaped pet.
[quote]
Actually it wasnt half, Its maternal parentage showed south american ancestry but only partialat least thats what I was told and read.. Its paternal side showed none. Im not saying there is a breeding population either but that one was born in the wild with its parent and sibling are still somewhere out there, well possibly out there anyway. I do think the mother was an escaped pet but I believe she traveled a ways. I live about 10 minutes from that area and believe me their is no one within a long ways who would have had an exotic pet like that, espically without folks knowing about it.

[peckprice]

I thought the black Forida panthers were melanistic cougars?

[Big_Steve]

I have heard all my life about them in Harlan County. I would like to know for sure.

[Snareman2]

I have heard all my life about them in Harlan County. I would like to know for sure.

There is not any! I have heard for the last fifteen years about the black panther, that people see. Looks like with deer hunters on the majority of the farms, coon hunters, cars on the road, and all the trailcams. Somebody would have some proof of the sightings, or a dead animal. The cat has to die of old age after this many years, nothing. Give me a break.

[Snareman2]

So I guess you are implying that I need to go to liars anonymous?:)

I have worked for KDFW for 2 years and the biologists I have spoken to told me that there are black cougars here in North America. And I know what I saw. I'm not saying that they aren't pets turned out but if they breed their offspring can have black pigmentation.

Rev. Kevin

RevKev,
If I'm not mistaken, you volunteer to teach Hunter Education courses. How any class, maybe one a year, possibly two tops. Where would you run into the Biologists? Were they taking your class? Your Questioning, CSS Archer, He has been a KDFWR Biologist for twenty years. I agree with him 110%. There are none in Kentucky, if there is one, it is a transplant or a loose exotic.

[ceg4uk]

I think it must be an escaped pet. I believe it belongs to Big Foot.:rolleyes:

[revkev]

RevKev,
If I'm not mistaken, you volunteer to teach Hunter Education courses. How any class, maybe one a year, possibly two tops. Where would you run into the Biologists? Were they taking your class? Your Questioning, CSS Archer, He has been a KDFWR Biologist for twenty years. I agree with him 110%. There are none in Kentucky, if there is one, it is a transplant or a loose exotic.

I'm not sure of your point about questioning CSS, but the fact remains that I have personally seen a black panther, not here in KY but in Oklahoma. However I have spoken with two different biologists one here in Nashville who works for the US DEpt of Fish and Wildlife and another out of the Tulsa,Ok office. Both told me there have been valid sightings and that it was possible.

I also said I wasn't saying they were native, I said they could have been offspring of pets or pets turned out. But is it possible that a pet bred with a wild cougar and their offspring are out there?

No one believed our native woodpecker in Arkansas existed until a biologist found one in a remote area after 40 years of searching.

No one can say with 100 percent certainty that they don't exist. Not even a biologist.

Of course I am a Pastor and I believe in God, by faith so I guess I could be considered a quack.

[Valley Station]

There is NO PROOF of THE woodpecker in Arkansas. Just a lot of talk, speculation and LOTS of money being made by a university for THE study.

[quackrstackr]

There is NO PROOF of THE woodpecker in Arkansas. Just a lot of talk, speculation and LOTS of money being made by a university for THE study.

You've got that right.

There's a whole lot of money and public land being wasted for something that a random kayaker thought they saw.

They've got people searching daily, robotic cameras conducting surveilance 24/7 and all manor of other methods searching this thing out for the last 3 years and they've gotten nothing.

I've seen the original video. You can't tell what that thing is that flew by. Could have been a pileated with a strange color pattern on it's wings. Lord knows that birds never have "abnormal" color patterns from time to time. :rolleyes:

[newshooter05]

i don't believe there are any in ky but i don't believe it strong enough to call a man a lier who says he saw one .heck i never saw a wild life biologist in the woods either or been checked by a game warden in 50 + years of hunting but i have been told both things happen by folks i trust so i suppose they exist.
david

[KYBOY]

.heck i never saw a wild life biologist in the woods either or been checked by a game warden in 50 + years of hunting but i have been told both things happen by folks i trust so i suppose they exist.
david
LOL, now thats some good common sense..:D

[CSS archer]

Just to clarify, I never called anyone a liar. People obviously believe they are seeing large black cats.

I believe some are seeing house cats with nothing to reference size.

I state again: mountain lions have never been documented in a black phase.

Jaquars and leopards have and do occur rarely in the black phase.

Black panthers are a myth, maybe 10,000 years ago they existed? Mankind has kept them alive? How can something so commonly seen never be captured, killed or on camera?

No doubt, escaped mountain lions have been seen and killed in KY, so have african lions and ostriches.

Different people can see the same event, especially in low light, and all come to a different conclusion as to what they saw, none of them would be a liar as far as I'm concerned.... A liar knowingly tells an untruth

[kyblackmallard]

As for large cats.I don't know.What I do know is there are places in KY.Muhlenberg Co.Has two,that are bringing in exotic animals for paying hunters.The old P&M Lilly pad hole near paradise has several hundred or thousand acres fenced in and has elk and buffalo.I have seen the buffalo from an access pit on peabody wma.The Cottonmouth lodge brought in wild boars and they got loose and are roaming the pond river bottoms in north Christian and Muhlenberg.I go to church with a man that was given a piglet and he has raised it in a pen.If one of these places tried to bring in Mt lions then it would not be too far fetched to have some escape....Back in the 70's and early 80's You never saw Bobcats.I never heard of the state stocking them...But they are hear now are'nt they!!!They came back when they're natural prey came back:the turkey.Bears are increasing their wonderings into ky.Coyotes have been here for years,but when I was a Kid I walked several miles from home each night running traps.I was probably 10.I would not let my son go by himself now for nothing.I know the proof is in the pudding,but these other animals are now at home in good ole Ky.Maybe the cats are too.

[longtimegone]

Hes got a great point. Look at all the exotics roaming all over Texas. The Aoudad I shot there last year is native to North Africa it was not put there by the land owner.

[Multidigits]

I saw one once....everybody knows I'm a credible person?:o Anyway, the one I saw was also seen by my wife. We were both sober at the time. And it was in an area where others have reported seeing one as well. I've seen several bobcats in the wild before and it wasn't a bobcat. I know several other things that it wasn't. Don't know the exact species or whatever, but it was a damn big BLACK panther-like animal. I've got dogs that weigh over 110 lbs each and it was bigger than that. Tail was at least as long as it's body and as thick 2" piece of pipe. I can attest that they are fast....what ever it is.....as they say, quicker than a cat.

[BunnyBuster]

I've posted on this topic before and I can attest to seeing a large cat one time before. We had 2 Irish setters and the cat I seen was at least as tall as them and it seemed longer. I was with my neighbor and she caught a glimpse.

Several years later her husband and another friend of mine seen one on seperate occasions in the same 100 yard area along the rail road tracks about 1/2 mile from where I seen the cat.

I don't care if anyone believes me or not, I rarely talk about it but like Multi said I know what I saw and it was some kind of large cat. Not sure about the color.

[tex]

I don't know if there is a population of native lions in KY. It's fairly likely that some pass through. Strange things are in the woods, though, usually from man. My uncle had a 11 ft (I think) brown boa killed on his place. I also heard of some monkeys being killed at a park in Florida. I think that pets get too big for their owners who are so attached that they can't bear to put them down. Then they release them into the "wild".

As for Oklahoma ...I would more likely believe it was a black jaguar, than a black puma. Oklahoma is not far from the their natural home range. I believe that there are several sightings, and some video of jags in Arizona and New Mexico, and that the numbers of sightings are actually increasing.

[revkev]

I don't know if there is a population of native lions in KY. It's fairly likely that some pass through. Strange things are in the woods, though, usually from man. My uncle had a 11 ft (I think) brown boa killed on his place. I also heard of some monkeys being killed at a park in Florida. I think that pets get too big for their owners who are so attached that they can't bear to put them down. Then they release them into the "wild".

As for Oklahoma ...I would more likely believe it was a black jaguar, than a black puma. Oklahoma is not far from the their natural home range. I believe that there are several sightings, and some video of jags in Arizona and New Mexico, and that the numbers of sightings are actually increasing.

To be honest I had never thought about that. It is true we are just a few hours from Central Texas. I hadn't thought about it being a black jaguar. I don't guess I'd be able to tell the two apart in the woods.
Makes sense
Rev Kev

[ScentFree]

At first i thought i was seeing things, when i saw what appeard to be a mountain lion,:confused: but three other people have seen the same thing from the same little vacinity i would say 2 mile radious. is this possible for the clay county area. should we have these here

When did you see it and how close were you?

[ScentFree]

I think it must be an escaped pet. I believe it belongs to Big Foot.:rolleyes:

LOL That's pretty good

[Deer Hunter]

CSS archer,

I am not doubthing what you are saying about there are not documented black panthers. I am sure you are right about that. But at the same time i have seen lots of pictures of cougars caught on trail cams in the North Western States like Utah etc....,

And the cat that me and my father-in-law saw in the fall of 79 WAS a black cougar or i guess like Multi said i am not sure what species it was. But it was built just like the cougars i saw many times on trail cams and the mounted ones in Bass Pro shops the only difference was it was solid black.

I dont know what a panther is, i have never saw a picture of one. And it was not a house cat, it was WAY to big to be a house cat.

But now after reading what you have to say about there are not documented cases of black cougars, panthers etc..., i feel that more fortunate to have seen what i did.

And that may make my assumption that it was someones pet that was either turned loose or got loose. And may have been the species that you are describing.

But the only thing about it possibly being someones pet. It acted awfully wild and nervous. It did not act like what i would think a domesticated cat would act like ? But then i have never been arround a big cat that was domesticated.

I dont know wether or not you beleave people like me who have seen black cats. But you might want to keep this in mind before you say that you dont. I did see a black cougar or a black cat that was the same size, weight and build as a cougar with the only difference being. The one i saw was black. There are no an's, if's or but's about it. And no mistakes or mix ups about it being a big house cat( it wasnt, that i am 110 % sure of.

And i know you are not calling anyone a lier or anything like that. And i am not being sarcastic about what i saw. So if i come across that way dont take it that way.

If i am not mistaken you work with the fish and game department and i just want you and other people who work in that feild who may be skeptical. That they are such cats like that running loose. And hope you jump the conculsions that some of these sightings are probably legitiment.

[Big_country]

When did you see it and how close were you?

sometime in march and it was about 80 yards

[tex52]

If they have been photographed or on video then why haven't we seen it. With the debate as big as it is anyone with any clue that would have this on video would have shown it by now and be very public. I say don't show us the proof and then someone may believe ya.

Yes, they have been seen around here, even photographed and videoed. But the DNR says they don't exist.

[yote_blaster]

There is a trail-cam pic posted on the Fishin.com photo board.
It's a rear-view, not exactly close-up, but it is clear. Sure looks like a cougar to me, but I will not try and act like an expert on cats.

[tex52]

Can you post it on here?

[mwezell]

I won't elaborate, but for some reason, I too believe that there might just be some BIG cats around,and have been for a while. And I don't have pics! But, I won't make fun of anyone that says they saw what they believe to be a mountain lion.

[Tim T]

Here is the link, I think it was the same photo that was on here a while back.

http://www.fishin.com/forums2/showthread.php?t=61564

[Earnest T Bass]

I had a friend call last night SWEARING that he seen a cat 3 foot long with tale to match near Portersburg area. Is this near BIG Country 's Area ? WE took a blue tick out but he wouldnt offer to trail...Trail must have been cold by that time..But Then again Blue aint never smelled a big cat!

[Feedman]

Earnest T.
It was in Mr. Kelsey's woods!!!!!!!!!!!;):D:D:D

[Snareman2]

I had a friend call last night SWEARING that he seen a cat 3 foot long with tale to match near Portersburg area. Is this near BIG Country 's Area ? WE took a blue tick out but he wouldnt offer to trail...Trail must have been cold by that time..But Then again Blue aint never smelled a big cat!

I guess, it is good for the cat, that old blue wouldn't hit alick. Earnest, I always heard you're a dead aim with a rock, I'm sure you were packing a pocket full. Better luck next time.

[scrape]

Earnest T Bass and blue, you two need to hook up with Big Country and get that ol' cat. That big puss has kept him from going into the woods.

[Big_country]

its not the cat thats keeping me out of the woods its scrape's shooten:rolleyes:

[wolverine82]

I hope they haven't migrated this way. Although we do have bears in the area now.

[EricStacy]

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries says cougars don't exist in Louisiana either. But I sat one morning on a management area ready to draw on what I thought was a doe. When it stepped out, it was a 120# 6' cougar at twenty five yards. I was in a tree climber at about thirty feet. I sat and watched it lay down and lick itself clean for the next hour before it finally got up and walked off. I think they just don't want to draw attention to the animals. But they know they are there.

[Snareman2]

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries says cougars don't exist in Louisiana either. But I sat one morning on a management area ready to draw on what I thought was a doe. When it stepped out, it was a 120# 6' cougar at twenty five yards. I was in a tree climber at about thirty feet. I sat and watched it lay down and lick itself clean for the next hour before it finally got up and walked off. I think they just don't want to draw attention to the animals. But they know they are there.

Being that close, could you read the cat tag on it's collar? It probably knew you were there and wanted you to come pet it. Was it Purring? Why didn't you stick an arrow through it?

[buckfever200+]

At first i thought i was seeing things, when i saw what appeard to be a mountain lion,:confused: but three other people have seen the same thing from the same little vacinity i would say 2 mile radious. is this possible for the clay county area. should we have these here


It's funny you are mentioning these cats. I kept seeing strange round shape tracks in Mulhenberg County last week along the Green River . Has anyone spotted any cats there?The tracks looked too large to be coyote or dog.

[Letemwalk]

There sure were ALOT of deer checked in this weekend that people shot by their self walking through the woods and absolutely swore that they were 100 pounds, most the end result was thirty-five or fourty. Things look alot bigger in the woods, on their feet moving. And by the way, if you have never see an untame domesticated farm cat (being politically correct, for all of you who like to jump on the band wagon.) you need to go to a farm with alot of barn cats, and their manorisms. You'll be suprised!

[Jim in Annville]

Well I do not know the species or subspecies but about four years ago, I saw a large (six feet) with a tail probaly 3 feet plus long Black cat cross the road in front of me. It was less than 50 yards away. I was on high beams and I watched it for probaly 45-50seconds.

[revkev]

Well I do not know the species or subspecies but about four years ago, I saw a large (six feet) with a tail probaly 3 feet plus long Black cat cross the road in front of me. It was less than 50 yards away. I was on high beams and I watched it for probaly 45-50seconds.


Now Be careful you'll soon draw some heat and be classified as either a dimwit, liar, or crazy.:D There are some high and mighty intellects that know everything about this topic and they aren't shy about telling you that you are wrong.:D:eek:

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Show some pictures, if not your wasting your time.

[KY Grouse Hunter]

I live in Laurel too and have heard of many sightings of Mountain Lions.

[grouser68]

First, I have never seen a mountain lion in the wild.Also, I really did'nt think we had bears until I found where they were scratching trees up, and then finally saw 5 one summer.Anyway.........

Last year while grouse hunting way back in a clear cut, I watched my setter go off out in front of me and I stopped to watch. Some kind of cat behind me gave a gutteral growl like I have never heard, made the hair stand up on the back of my neck quick.I already had my shotgun at the low ready so I slowly turned toward the growl, I saw nothing, then that gutteral growl again. I was hoping my dog would'nt come back and a fight commence.My dog came back, ran right past me and toward where I heard the growl, he acted like he did'nt smell a thing. There was one big spruce tree there and I scanned it thoroughly, not a sign of anything.I got outta there pretty quick.

I have heard many feral cats growl, I used to trap for them in the barn where we raised pheasants, they can sound mighty mean. I have never heard a bobcat growl, but this thing sounded like it was as big as a horse, how I could'nt see it, or the dog not smell it, I don't know.It takes alot to scare me, especially with a loaded weapon in my hand, but I wont be going back to that place grouse hunting alone this year!:D

[Jim in Annville]

Well I may be crazy for posting again on this subject. But in the four years since I saw the cat three good men, one a preacher have claimed to have heard a "unearthly scream" in the woods around my farm. This is approximately 1 mile from where I observed the cat cross the road. All three men were deer hunting at different times. One of the men was up in a tree stand waiting for daylight when he heard the scream approximately 40 yards from him. He stated that he shined a flashlight at it and saw cat's eyes reflected back at him.:eek: So you naysayers may say that there is no big cats in this area but I believe there is. And for the person who said that if i didnt have a picture to hush. How many people carry camera equiptment in their truck that will work in the night. Especialy when you are going to work.:(

[slow-bow]

Once again.............no pics.

[westkybanded]

Well I may be crazy for posting again on this subject. But in the four years since I saw the cat three good men, one a preacher have claimed to have heard a "unearthly scream" in the woods around my farm. (

That would be a bobcat. Most people think it's a woman screaming the first time they hear it.

[grouser68]

Show some pictures, if not your wasting your time.
http://www.easterncougar.org/pages/beyondsightings.htm

http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/1318/kykitten.html

Pic of a road kill kitten in Floyd county in the 90's, no idea if any explanation has been given since, other than the one stated in the article.

[Snareman2]

http://www.easterncougar.org/pages/beyondsightings.htm

http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/1318/kykitten.html

Pic of a road kill kitten in Floyd county in the 90's, no idea if any explanation has been given since, other than the one stated in the article.

That Floyd county incident was DNA tested and it proved to be captive. Ask Bigfoot where the others are.

[grouser68]

That Floyd county incident was DNA tested and it proved to be captive. Ask Bigfoot where the others are.

I don't really have a dog in the "Big Cat" fight, but if you read the article, the maternal was from South America, paternal side was North American.

Must not have been too captive, ran over on the road!:D

I meet Bigfoot out in the woods on a regualr basis, he hunts with me, I will ask him about it but his english is'nt too good, and my sign sucks!:D