cougar question

[hookset]

Is it legal to shoot one (since there are none in minnesota) or is it only if in self defense.

[tealitup]

It is not legal to shoot one except in self defense. They are protected in Minnesota.

[mrklean]

Also if they are attacking your dog or livestock or something like that it is ok i am told

[sparcebag]

I believe the rules state all mammals with no closed season or other protection are unprotected and can be taken.If it (cougar)is protected you'd have to check.

[mrklean]

i am pretty sure it is protected but the best thing to always to is email the DNR, they respond very fast

[jbdragon17]

I saw one two seasons ago and had this discussion in deer camp. I called the DNR when I returned. They are federally protected.

[AlwysFshn]

This is from the dnr HSOforum:

"Population and management

The cougar is a protected species in Minnesota, meaning that it cannot be hunted or trapped"

[tealitup]

I dont think Cougars are Federally protected as you can hunt them in some Western States. I could be wrong but... you can not hunt them in Minnesota as they are Protected species.

[wheres_the_fish]

Just had a cougar walk by my trail cam from this weekend. It was the middle of the day... Looked to be a younger cougar. This got me thinking...if its a younger cougar odds are it didn't wander far distances on its own. Hopefully there is not some breeding going on in my woods...

Makes you think twice about walking in the woods when it is completely dark...

The land is located by hillman, mn

[hartner62]

You can't talk about pics and not post them!

[Double D]

Dude, you have got to post the pictures!!

DD

[wheres_the_fish]

Here is the cougar video from my trial cam. click on the link.

[koonie]

Sorry dude that aint no cougar.

[BID2]

mmmm. Pretty hard to tell, as its only in frame for a split second. If you replay the first .5-1.5 sec it kinda looks like a cat. I thought maybe I saw a tail.

Not sure you can say "I got a video of a cougar" with something like that. Better luck next time.

[tealitup]

Could even be a deer from that video

[lcornice]

Here is the cougar video from my trial cam. click on the link.

Sorry, that's a Bobcat.

[mrklean]

based on the shortness and how far it is i dont think you can tell, everyone can say it is or isnt but unless you get a closeup pic or vid you cant tell.

[BigWadeS]

Here is the cougar video from my trial cam. click on the link.

based on the tail and ears that is a bobcat for sure...a nice one at that

[HunterLee]

Bobcat- first it looked to have a long tail, but the colors its a bobcat, maybe a greyfox, but almost positive its a bobcat.

You need to set your camera at a angle to the trail, will give you better pictures.

[Harbi]

Maybe a bobcat, maybe a doe. Definately not a cougar with the short tail. The last frame that appears to have a long tail is the right rear leg.

[hartner62]

I must be looking at a different video because there isn't a chance in [PoorWordUsage] that is a deer.

[corysluckylucky7]

nice bobcat video - did anyone else see sasquatch at the end of the video way in the back?