Mt Lion killed in Jackson county

[PurpleFloyd]

Maybe they could start some sort of cougar advocacy program where cougar advocates could be responsible for livestock losses, etc. similar to what the Defenders of Wildlife did out west...

Adopt a Cougar, so to speak...

And if they would make a facebook page and put cute pink ribbons around their necks and give them cute names like Tiffany and Bridget then maybe won't think they are potentially harmful at all.

[RBuker]

I see the discussion has had some real worthwhile posts lately. The macho bull snot about how you'd kill every mountain loin within 100 miles, or how it doesn't stand a chance in your yard goes along way toward making all of us look real bad. People like to pin that attitude onto all hunters because one or two rednecks like to spout off.

I don't appreciate these kind of comments being made and having people pin that kind of attitude onto me because I am also a hunter and outdoorsman. I've had to defend my past times to too many people who read that garbage and think all hunters are like that.

Don't confuse hunters with poachers. That garbage spewed forth about killing every cougar in 100 miles is not talk from a hunter, it's from a poacher. I don't think it matters if the act is complete or not. It's no different than a jacklighter saying he's going out that night to shoot trophy bucks with his spotlight and .22 rifle.

[nofishfisherman]

Maybe they could start some sort of cougar advocacy program where cougar advocates could be responsible for livestock losses, etc. similar to what the Defenders of Wildlife did out west...

Adopt a Cougar, so to speak...

So far there is no evidence that a mountain lion has actually killed any livestock anywhere in MN within the last 20 years. If it has happened it has to be incredibly rare since a farmer isn't likely to keep that kind of thing under wraps.

I think people are way over blowing the threat of mountain lions. Most of us will go out entire lives and never even see one in MN.

[brian6715]

So far there is no evidence that a mountain lion has actually killed any livestock anywhere in MN within the last 20 years. If it has happened it has to be incredibly rare since a farmer isn't likely to keep that kind of thing under wraps.

I think people are way over blowing the threat of mountain lions. Most of us will go out entire lives and never even see one in MN.

I couldn't agree more! Although the paranoid posts are entertaining. What would some of you guys do if you lived in Africa, where there actually is a threat from predators?! Install a 50 cal on top of your decked out apocalypse-proofed Duramax?

[swamptiger]

Quote:

So far there is no evidence that a mountain lion has actually killed any livestock anywhere in MN within the last 20 years. If it has happened it has to be incredibly rare since a farmer isn't likely to keep that kind of thing under wraps.

Don't know where you got your information, but it never hurts to be proactive on these kinds of things. Here's what the state of Michigan is doing:

Quote:

As of July 13, 2006, the DNR prepared a revised Livestock Depradation form that allows for livestock reimbursement for cougar losses. Michigan Department of Agriculture Section 212 Indemnification Payments, now reads "Authorizes Department to provide for indemnity, limits indeminifcation orders to $100,000, and requires reports on reason for, amount of, and person to whom the indemnification is to be paid. Authorizes Department to indemnify for livestock killed by wolves, coyotes, or cougars and expend funds received from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for indemnification made pursuant to this section."

So there's really no reason concerned citizens couldn't take a more proactive position, and set up something similar with voluntary contributions.

[nofishfisherman]

Don't know where you got your information, but it never hurts to be proactive on these kinds of things. Here's what the state of Michigan is doing:

Here is an article on this particular Mountain Lion: Mountain Lion Story

Here is a cut and past from the article:

Quote from Dan Stark, wildlife predator specialist with the DNR.

He also said that, despite common beliefs to the contrary, there have been no verified attacks by cougars on livestock in Minnesota. "They primarily prey on wild animals like deer," he said.

I know since he works for the DNR most of you will dismiss what he says but believe it or not he is probably the closest thing we have to an expert on the topic. Far more knowledgable than any of us here on this particular topic.

LIke you said though being proactive isn't a bad thing if something like that is set up I have no issue with. It probably should be set up for wolf and coyote incidents but I don't think fears over moutain lions should be the reason for starting it.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

LIke you said though being proactive isn't a bad thing if something like that is set up I have no issue with. It probably should be set up for wolf and coyote incidents but I don't think fears over moutain lions should be the reason for starting it.

So is there currently any protocall in place for dealing with cougars in MN? Several people have suggested calling the DNR in the Jackson case. I haven't seen any recommendations for what to do with the cougar once it is in the DNR's hands.

[swamptiger]

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"They primarily prey on wild animals like deer," he said.

That's a disputable claim, according to this study:

http://www.michigancougar.com/prey.pdf

[lichen fox]

Or, perhaps they should do the same as they do with Timber Wolves that attack and kill a farmers livestock...Compensate the farmers for their loss!! And if it kills one of your breeding dogs or kids you could get paid too!!

[lient]

If these guys felt so threatened by the animal why would only one of them have a gun and the other just a flashlight shining into the culvert. Seems to me if they truly felt threatened by the couger the neighbor would have brought two guns. Sounds like a couple of guys just looking to shoot something.

As for me, if I felt threatened by the animal attacking my family or pets I would take action. But I believe I would try other means than shooting the animal right away. I live on the north shore near Lutsen. We have alot of wolves around and if one wanders on my property I use other tactics to scare it off. If this didn't work I may take other actions depending on the situation. But I certainly would not broadcast it over the internet. Just my .02

[nofishfisherman]

That's a disputable claim, according to this study:

http://www.michigancougar.com/prey.pdf

Do you want the DNR to take action and spend money facilitating some sort of program based on what another state may be seeing or would you rather have them look at the evidence within our own state?

[nofishfisherman]

If these guys felt so threatened by the animal why would only one of them have a gun and the other just a flashlight shining into the culvert. Seems to me if they truly felt threatened by the couger the neighbor would have brought two guns. Sounds like a couple of guys just looking to shoot something.

As for me, if I felt threatened by the animal attacking my family or pets I would take action. But I believe I would try other means than shooting the animal right away. I live on the north shore near Lutsen. We have alot of wolves around and if one wanders on my property I use other tactics to scare it off. If this didn't work I may take other actions depending on the situation. But I certainly would not broadcast it over the internet. Just my .02

I thought the same thing. If you fell threatened then why the heck would you corner it in a culvert and then stand on one end with nothing but a flashlight trying to scare it out. Just plain doesn't add up.

I'm sure they will be getting an expensive reminder that they can't ignore the laws.

[PurpleFloyd]

Do you want the DNR to take action and spend money facilitating some sort of program based on what another state may be seeing ?

It seems to work for the QDM crowd.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

Do you want the DNR to take action and spend money facilitating some sort of program based on what another state may be seeing or would you rather have them look at the evidence within our own state?

No, I'd rather see citizens concerned about the welfare of the cougar step up to the plate...

[john skarie]

Step up to the plate and do what exactly?

Do the job that we pay our DNR to do? Are we supposed to "step up to the plate" when people poach deer, bears or other animals?

They broke the law, and did it quite stupidly I might add. Why is it anybodies responsibility to do anything regarding this issue?

JS

[nofishfisherman]

I get that you want citizens to take charge but how does that happen? Do we just write a check to the farmer? How do we find out that the farmer lost livestock? How do we verify it was a predator and not just a farmer running a scam? How do we know the livestock even existed in the first place?

All of these things need to be figured out and run through an organized program. Likely with involvment and at least some financing/man hours from the DNR. I just can't see how the DNR can spend time and money on this when there is no evidence there is an issue.

[swamptiger]

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Step up to the plate and do what exactly?

Adopt a cougar, and be responsible for any damages it might cause.

Quote:

Do the job that we pay our DNR to do?

There is no breeding population of cougars in MN, remember? So we are not paying the DNR to deal with cougars.

[john skarie]

This cougar didn't do any damage.

It didn't attack any kids or pets.

It was shot because somebody decided they just felt like shooting it.

That isn't legal in any state, anywhere.

If you approve of it then it says a lot about your character and your ignorance IMHO.

JS

[swamptiger]

Quote:

This cougar didn't do any damage.

It didn't attack any kids or pets.

It was shot because somebody decided they just felt like shooting it.

That isn't legal in any state, anywhere.

If you approve of it then it says a lot about your character and your ignorance IMHO.

As usual, plenty of answers, but not much in the way of solutions, I see.

[flipper]

We had some neighbors call last winter who said they saw a big cat come out of our windbreak. I went out and I did see some pretty darn big kitty tracks and checked a few times and never did see them again so I guess he was just passing through. I suppose if I ever actually felt either myself or my family or pets were threatened I would take some action but not because I wanted to. I don't know the people who were involved in this case but I think it was not too smart for them to be posting all those pics on facebook as if they are proud of this kill.

[nofishfisherman]

As usual, plenty of answers, but not much in the way of solutions, I see.

We haven't established there is a problem yet. Why waste time, money, and effort looking for a solution to a problem that might not exist. Sure there are moutain lions in MN, there may even be a small breeding population but so far they have not had any apparent impact whatsoever.

[psepuncher]

This cougar didn't do any damage.

It didn't attack any kids or pets.

It was shot because somebody decided they just felt like shooting it.

That isn't legal in any state, anywhere.

oh I dunno bout that.

KIRKSVILLE Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed that a group of hunters killed a young male mountain lion

According to conservation agents investigating the incident, the group was hunting coyotes on a landowner’s farm when several hunters came within 20 yards of the big cat. None of the hunters had dogs. Members of the group immediately contacted conservation agents to report the incident.

At this time, no charges have been filed since it appears that the cougar presented enough danger to the hunters to warrant the shooting.

00000000

justafiable in more ways than one. In MN it's soley because the managment and education guidelines are not drawn out accodingly to help thwart attacks etc. and at the same time aid in their conservation. A major lack of effort from MN on the issue of lion conservation and management guidelines doesn't make it more safe to any community no matter the population of citizens anywhere, Especially when encounters happen more frequently than they did just 3 years ago.

And I also think we know what happens when such animals become habituated it never ends well.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

I don't know the people who were involved in this case but I think it was not too smart for them to be posting all those pics on facebook as if they are proud of this kill.

No, not too smart. But the point many people tend to overlook is law enforcement agencies would more than likely do the same thing.

That does not mean I condone or approve of their actions. (should I underline that or put it in bold print so it's more understandable?)

[mattrd]

So, what would've happened if they trapped the lion in the culvert and called the DNR? Would the CO come out and try to take it alive, or would've he have shot it???

[swamptiger]

Quote:

Would the CO come out and try to take it alive, or would've he have shot it???

What do you think? I'm going with the latter.