Cougar tracks

[slabchaser]

Talked to my dad tonight and he was out setting up another deer stand and came upon cougar tracks in the dirt. Our spot is fifteen miles south east of Mankato. Along the Le Sueuer. Everyone be careful out in the woods.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Pumps or sandals?

[Archerysniper]

Probably the knee high leather boots

[HunterLee]

laced high heels

[hockeybc69]

Most of the ones I have seen were simple flip flops....

[Random guy]

Everyone be careful out in the woods.

No doubt, we have had a bunch of sighting up here (the real cougars not you jokers mom's) and I won't step out without my side arm anymore. The last one approached a guy putting down cable with a trencher running and digging away!

[Kyle]

I have spent alot of time in the Pintler mountains of MT. Cougars are thick up there, and I have never seen one. Sure they could kill a person in a heartbeat, but we dont have the numbers here in MN that western MT does(good assumption) and we have alot of deer for them to eat. I wouldnt worry about it...a Black bear could kill ya just as quick and we dont seem to worry about those too much...

[BobT]

Heck, a deer could kill any one of us quite easily. Take our tools away and we are one of the most vulnerable and weak species on the planet.

[bogwalker]

Like John Wayne said, "anything in these woods'll bite ya, stab ya or stick ya!"

[cherokee]

About 30 years ago my dad and I were scouting for bear hunting spots near Togo and we saw (2) cougars cross the logging road in front of us. They were about 60 yards away. We quickly walked to the spot they crossed to get a better look but they were gone. At that time it was a big deal to see one and noone believed us. It was a large female and its kit.

[PurpleFloyd]

There have been more and more sightings every year in Southern Minnesota. I imagine they are moving into the state from the Dakotas and moving eastward. South of Mankato there have been sightings every year over the past several. Just one more thing to watch for. At least the feral hogs haven't gotten here yet.

[ozzie]

my theory is if the cougar is out of it's normal range it is probably hunting and I would rather not come across it and if I did I hope I see it before it sees me and hopefully I am armed!!

[slabchaser]

In southern mn that is the only thing we have to worry about. No wolves no bears, just mosquitoes. Everything I read the young males are the ones traveling into southern mn. Plenty of turkeys for them to eat

[Random guy]

Heck, a deer could kill any one of us quite easily. Take our tools away and we are one of the most vulnerable and weak species on the planet.

You got that right! We can’t see, hear or smell worth a dang, no claws, we can't run, climb or even scurry. Heck if it wasn't for our opposable thumbs we would be basically furless steak.

[BobT]

It's our brain that gives us the edge and allows us to dominate. Although, there are times when I wonder....

[BLACKJACK]

Everyone be careful out in the woods.

Something to think about when you walk to your deerstand early in the morning - in the dark!!!

[slabchaser]

I think about it every time I step on a pheasant and almost put a load in my pants

[Boar]

Yea, too bad that were so smart that we polute our own nest to the point where we cant even live int it. top of the food chain thou. Waiting to see one in my river bottom. Boar

[bottom-bouncer]

seriously guys you worry to much.

[PurpleFloyd]

Here is a little story from the newspaper in my old stomping ground.

Cougar tracked to Bayfield County through DNA

By CHRIS NISKANEN

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Published: Friday, August 20, 2010 11:38 PM CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The same cougar that roamed through the Twin Cities in December traveled hundreds of miles in Wisconsin last winter, leaving tracks, scat and photographic evidence across six counties and coming within a few miles of the start of the American Birkebeiner ski race.

Using DNA analysis, biologists were able to conclude the same cat that left scat and tracks in Vadnais Heights in December crossed the St. Croix River and ended up in St. Croix and Dunn counties in Wisconsin.

[1eyeReD]

Here is a little story from the newspaper in my old stomping ground.

Cougar tracked to Bayfield County through DNA

By CHRIS NISKANEN

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Published: Friday, August 20, 2010 11:38 PM CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The same cougar that roamed through the Twin Cities in December traveled hundreds of miles in Wisconsin last winter, leaving tracks, scat and photographic evidence across six counties and coming within a few miles of the start of the American Birkebeiner ski race.

Using DNA analysis, biologists were able to conclude the same cat that left scat and tracks in Vadnais Heights in December crossed the St. Croix River and ended up in St. Croix and Dunn counties in Wisconsin.

So he's in WI... We're safe now!

[FishingWebGuy]

... I won't step out without my side arm anymore. ...

Unless you are archery deer hunting when suddenly you become a second class citizen... nonsense

[BobT]

Quote:

I won't step out without my side arm anymore.

So how do you protect yourself on your way to work every day or just going to town? Your chance of being hurt riding in a car is about 100,000 times greater or more than a chance encounter with a cougar much less to get hurt by one in MN.

[KG243]

Just because you loose a lot of control once you step into a vehicle doesn't mean the guy can't be prepared in the woods when there is something he can easily do. Let me ask you a question, have you ever had your house broken into and if not why do you lock it? Just because the chances are slim doesn't mean you can not be prepared. I personally won't step a foot into any woods or anywhere I can legally carry without my side arm.

[bogwalker]

I am not worried about a cougar attack. Personally I am more "concerned" about wolves and "wild" dogs. But when walking in the woods smelling like jelly donuts, bacon, molasses etc., I wonder what thoughts go through the minds of predators that go unseen. Walking in on the dominant boar at my bait crib or a sow with cubs?.

What are the odds of me getting into a motor vehicle accident? Not very great but I still wear a seatbelt. Odds of encountering a dangerous animal in the woods, not very great but I still carry my revolver.