horst Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 It was a strange day here.I was on the internet ths morning and on one of the Iowa based hunting sites a guy posted about a guy telling his kid he has a mountain lion eating the tame ducks out of his yard.He claimed his wife saw it sneaking around the outbuildings but didnt tell anyone about because she was afraid theyd think she was nuts.The location the guy gave was near a lotta the ground I hunt but I didnt know how near till later. I goto work after this and kinda forget about it.THe guy Im working for comes out and we start visiting.I hunt all this guys ground and his son lives out there on an acreage.We were talking deer hunting and he asked me to bowhunt his grove a few times early and see where the does were running so he could try for one early muzzleloader season.I told him I have a game camera and would set it out.What he said next about floored me.He told me to get it out there before the DNR showed up and maybe I could get a picture of the mountain lion running around behind his place Turns out his sons, nieghbors the one that seen it and his sons chickens, ducks, and peacocks are also dissapearing.Im thinking this is the strangest coincidence Ive ever seen and thnking these guys are all seeing things out there.I dont put a lotta fath in unconfirmed sightings. But he tells me the DNR here has contacted him about trying to trap the lion on his ground.They dont deal in uncomfirmed sightings either so im guessing if theyre interested theyve found tracks, or hair or something to back up the claim.Anywhere else Id still be skeptical, but the area around there place is some of the nastiest thickest cover in my area and a cat could go a long time without being seen.Thousands of acres of sloughs and with all the crops still in it only adds to the cover out there.Theres so much small game and deer that it would have no trouble finding food.And theres been several killed just a couple hours west of here in the last two years. I gotta admitt, I still dont know if there is or isnt a cat running around out there, but I ve definately heard enough to perk my interest.Apparently the DNRs receved 4 calls from different people in that area reporting it as well.Thinking maybe this weekend Ill go out, hang some cameras, do a little scouting, and see if I can see any tracks or anything on the property.Worst thatll happen is Ill get some deer pics and my stands hung, best case scenario i get a picture of a cougar for the photo album Like I said, Im not totally convinced its real but if the DNRs interested it might be worth checking out for myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I could believe it. I saw one on the ground my family hunts. Plus people that I know wouldn't lie have seen a few. I'd rather not have them around but who am I to say? Where in Iowa are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Better keep your eyes open wide this hunting season Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Yeah. accross the road from our land there have been cougar sightings. These are coming from farmers we thought were crazy for wolves... but they are far from that. A guy has some game cam pics of them. Gettin to be WILD where we hunt now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lostiniowa Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I live/hunt in iowa I always make sure I have a big knife. all of those sightings can't be fake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe They're fairly common where I hunt, so I guess I don't see the big deal. Chances are, it will move on soon and you won't see it again for some time. Cougars have an incredibly large home range that they constantly move around in. BTW - Are they protected there, or can you take one if you see it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I wouldn't be surprised one bit if there were big cats in almost every state. Coyotes are, Why not big cats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Horst, wasn't there a big cat taken in Wayne or Appanoose County a couple of years back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest andymansavage Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe [ QUOTE ] I live/hunt in iowa I always make sure I have a big knife. all of those sightings can't be fake! [/ QUOTE ] A big knife?? well, I'll take the lion in that fight. I prefer the .454 lion\bear repellant. It is pretty freaky to spot a lion then go back and find his tracks following yours in the snow for a mile, happened to my dad and I. I know of several people who have had to shoot lions who were stalking them here in utah. I always pack at least a .22 pistol when I am in the woods. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisha Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Yeah, sounds like I wouldn't be taking any naps in the woods this fall if I were you. LOL I hope you get some pics of the lil kitty ...... I'd love to see em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe horst, throw some bait out in front of that camera, hang it high enough so the yotes can't get at it and you might get a shot of him. be careful man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooBear Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I live/hunt in iowa I always make sure I have a big knife. all of those sightings can't be fake! [/ QUOTE ] I was thinking the same about bigfoot sightings [/ QUOTE ] I think Bigfoot and the lions are in it together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I can tell you for sure horst that the DNR here has released mountain lions/cougars in Iowa the DNR says they releases between 10/100 quite a varience there I know we for sure have them in southern Iowa. Matter of fact one was hit by a truck 15 miles from where we hunt on hwy 34 juswt east of Lucas Ia. The reason for the release is to help control the deer population in southern Iowa. I personally dont think it was a great idea. What I was told about them by the DNR is there is no season on the cougars but if you see one on your land you can shoot it just needs to be reported to the DNR. Its considered a predator in there books. I will check and see if I can get some more in from them on this... One other note a friend of mine in Marshalltown has pictures of one running through his backyard so for being released in southern Iowa they sure do get around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted September 16, 2005 Report Share Posted September 16, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I believe it Chris. We have had many sightings here in Mi. I really don't see the big deal about it, critters roam where the food is An elephant yes LOL I think it is cool to have them around. too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted September 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Its legal to shoot them but Im not real interested in it, id be happy with a picture.Along the lines of wierd coincidences I just got a email from another lady that lives out in the area.The nieghbors a mile down the road have found tracks and droppings from it.Theres a possibility there might even be some pics of it already taken by one of the people that live out there but i havent verified that yet. Im not going to try hunting it or anything, just never had one around here before and would like to find a little evidence it was here before it moves on.And I will probably be a little more cautious hunting out that way this fall.If the oppurtunity ever came up for a shot, Im bowhunting and honestlydont know if its a shot Id be willing to take.But my odds are probably better of getting struckby lightning than having that happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I would believe there is a cougar there. We hunt down by pisgah in Harrison county. We have seen bobcats and had confirmed sightings of mountain lions. What are they hurting moving into new territory? I cant think of anything right now but the problem is there are coming into to residential areas. Other than that I dont know. I havemnt been lucky enough to get a picture of one but it makes sense they are down there. For 2-3 weeks the farmers cattle would not go near the timber, because the farmers mom seen a mountain lion up there. Are they legal to shoot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooBear Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe [ QUOTE ] I can tell you for sure horst that the DNR here has released mountain lions/cougars in Iowa the DNR says they releases between 10/100 quite a varience there I know we for sure have them in southern Iowa. [/ QUOTE ] I have heard this too, but I have spoken to about 5 DNR officers and they all deny it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I have heard many a times that they were released but the DNR always denies it. I would believe that they are just moving in, but if that was the case why are they so worried about trapping them, maybe because they DID release. Who knows, I don't think anybody does for sure. For now I would have to say that they were not released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe The DNR said they released some in southern Iowa they said it was like 10 though...as far as shooting one I doubt I would shoot one unless by some miracle I had a chance with my bow but that would be it.... you gota admit a mountain lion with a bow would be a trophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe I can't believe the DNR said they released them. I like to think they wild and just moving in. But like I said b4 if they are wild and just movingin like the DNR has been saying most of the time, then why are they so worried about shooting them or trapping them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtechTurkeyHunter Posted September 17, 2005 Report Share Posted September 17, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe LOL J.B. um we have em em hit by cars and trucks lol I dont think bigfoots ever been hit by a car this isnt a urban legend lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted September 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] LOL J.B. um we have em em hit by cars and trucks lol I dont think bigfoots ever been hit by a car this isnt a urban legend lol [/ QUOTE ] dude you never saw the truelife documentary "Harry and the Hendersons"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [/ QUOTE ] Documentary huh?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mark_85 Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe we have a bobcat in the woods next to our house no cougar though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe Would be a little cautious Chris. Have heard of sigthings around here, one being from a farmer just up ht eroad from us, but have never seen one myself or gotten any pics on our cams. We have however seen on several occasion and gotten pics of bobcats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted September 18, 2005 Report Share Posted September 18, 2005 Re: Cougar on my hunting ground maybe here.... KITTEEE>> KITTEEEE>>KITTEEE!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.