wtnhunt Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 This states policy of denying existence of species is nothing new. I just recently read an article published in a TN wildlife magazine published by the state about cougars in Tennessee and the state folks ruled out the possibility, claiming everything from trail cam pics people had of cougars being of other animals to being pics taken from other states. But within the same article they justify a need for them here to be the only natural predator of the wild pig that is spreading across the state. Hmmm, interesting. If they are not here, then why try to justify a need? Personally I have never seen one and doubt I ever do, but would certainly not rule out the possibility that one could pass through. Even if they are here I know how elusive animals can be in this bottom, Never saw a bobcat this past season and got no pics of any until the winter, animals can literally go for miles undetected in these bottoms. We have heard about sightings and had different people ask if we had ever seen any in the bottoms here. Several years ago a neighbor man swore to a story that a boy was hunting his place and saw a large cat in the bottom and he was scared so bad he would never go back to hunt his place again. Did have some large tracks a while back that I was not sure about. Guess with the confirmed cats in southern MO and also in IL, it might be a bit naive on the part of the state folks to rule out the possibility that some may move through the area. A cats range from all I have heard can be over 150 miles and if they are as close as southern Illinois, well then there is no question they could pass through this area and even potentially make it to Mississippi. Anyhoo, just thought it was kind of interesting that while they are supposed to not be here, the state is saying that if they were it would be beneficial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 Makes no sense to me William. They can justify the need all they want but with the reproduction rate of wild pigs, just how many cougars would be needed to make an impact on the pig population? My guess is a WHOLE lot more than you would EVER have, if cougars are ever in TN. If they want to make an impact on the pig population, provide hunters or whoever with very liberal, legal means to smack, whack, and stack them any time of the year. Never seen a cougar or gotten any trail cam pics of them either. I know there are some from time to time in northern MO. If I ever do catch one on a trail cam, I'll post it on the forum. I've heard a lot of stories over the years about cougar sightings in MS. As far as I know, there's no documented evidence of any cougars yet. Although bears are rare in MS and some have been radio collared, this past deer season is the 1st time I've ever gotten any trail cam pics of bears in MS. Haven't seen a bear yet in MS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 I've hunted southern IL for 25 years an have never seen a cougar, bear, or wild pig. While I wouldn't mind seeing a cougar or bear, I hope the pigs stay out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I imagine if a pair of cougars ever passed through the Smokies you'd end up with a resident population Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Makes no sense to me William. They can justify the need all they want but with the reproduction rate of wild pigs' date=' just how many cougars would be needed to make an impact on the pig population? My guess is a WHOLE lot more than you would EVER have, if cougars are ever in TN. If they want to make an impact on the pig population, provide hunters or whoever with very liberal, legal means to smack, whack, and stack them any time of the year.[/quote'] Yeah really, makes no sense to me either. I tried finding the article online, would copy it here but was unable to find it. And do they really believe the impact would be only on wild pigs? From all i hear there are wild pigs in the county to the south of us. Pigs in this state at the present time are treated as a nuisance, so no limits and they are encouraged to be shot on sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Sounds like a primer for "Re-introduction" just like was done with wolves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 William, I think that the justification of need is just the hope that maybe they do exist. The officials in your state probably will not except proof of cougars unless a state employee provides the evidence, or they have a body. Here in Montana there is no shortage of cougars and yet most of the residents here have never seen one. Personally, I have observed cougars (after scanning my memory banks) a half dozen times max, although seeing tracks is a common occurrence. I also place trail cameras back in the mountains every year and have never gotten a picture of one. As for the thought that they would only have an impact on pigs, well, I'm sure they would kill a lot more deer. Final thought, they are there, if only just passing through on occasion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 OK, so state folks have now shifted away from denial http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news...twra/73464314/. The area where the confirmed pics were is less than 30 miles from here. So, even if only a passer through the answer now is YES they are here, and the state now officially acknowledges it! We have heard stories about big cats in the bottoms right behind our house for a loooong long time. People who had no reason to lie or make up stories saw big cats with long tails, which ruled out bobcats. Interestingly so many are so clueless and things get confused, heard a young man while I was at the cashier in walmart telling another the twra got pics of a leopard or a jaguar.:turned: Funny how misinformation blows up. Wife showed me a deal on facebook where there is evidently a lot of activity on this epiphany from the twra. So guess next the question to arise what if we see one around our livestock? Think state law as I understand it is if animal poses a threat to you or your livestock you are allowed to dispatch it, so guess what is deemed a "threat" could come to play. We had some tracks I posted some pics of in this thread http://forums.realtree.com/forum/miscellaneous/lounge/116074-tracks. Now it would seem it is a possibility that it could have been a big cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Have had them here for years, see tracks, but rarely do you get to see one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 With season opening I guess more folks are getting cameras out. With that there are yet more official confirmed sightings this past month within about 45 miles from us. For so many years the people working for the state ruled out the possibility there could be big cats here and said there was no evidence, acted like those who made claims were crazy and those that had pics faked them, now they have said they are here and they are here to stay! Guess the tracks we had back here a few years ago were likely cat tracks after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 (edited) Yup, you can have our wolves if ya want em too..they are eating their way south...deer herd has been decimated in the north Edited September 29, 2016 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 I have never seen one but like your area there are always rumors. My neighbor has stated he has seen one a few times but I keep cameras out 52 weeks a year and I have never got a pic of a big cat. I get lots of bobcat pics but very very rarely see one while hunting. good luck this season William todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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