Mountain Lions?

share the harvest got mine, except one cat steak meal we had. Taste couldnt tell ya, I would have ate the butt out of a road kill skunk after finally getting back to the outfitters house after the hunt.
 
westksbowhunter said:
My father-in-law worked for the KDWP for 25 years. He just laughs everytime someone mentions the great lion release.
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Well it sure is funny that a friend, who worked for the KDWP shot a lion, had them show up at his house and demanded to know where he had the lion. He never reported it being killed, yet they walked right up to his freezer in his shed and got it out. Nobody ever said that the KDWP agents knew about the release. Sure is funny though that an agent had a dead lion tracked to his freezer. Another farmer friend called KDWP to report a lion sighting and to explain that it was bothering his cattle. He called a couple times to report it, when nothing was done he finally shot the lion and drug it to a pasture to lay. Sure is funny that the KDWP showed a few hours later and questioned him as to where the lion was, yet they drove right in the pasture and drove right up to the lion. Your father-in-law probably was one that didn't know of the release but sure isn't going to tell you if he was. Of course he's going to tell you no lions were released, and that's fine, you go right on ahead and believe him, I DON'T and won't believe it. The state did release lions but won't own up to it due to the liability. I believe my friends one who was a KDWP agent over the state anyday!
 
When lions are talked about, its hard to know who to believe.

Dad works with a guy who had a buddy who had a friend who's neighbors never do well nephew (something along those lines anyway) supposedly shot one in eastern Kansas. The story goes he hadn't no more got it to his freezer than KDWP showed up, took it, and the film in his camera. Could be true, could be made up, I don't know, but there are a lot of these stories out there.

KDWP has confirmed numerous sightings throughout the state the last few years. One was a guy in South Central (wanting to say Medicine Lodge area???) that shot one and KDWP wasn't happy about it.

Several more were either on trail cam or regular cam (like was mentioned in an above post).

One was a lion that Colorado was tracking, it left CO, went into NE, then down through western KS and into OK. KDWP knew about it the whole time, but didn't release the info to the public until several months afterwards. Their position was that they didn't want people scared or harrassing the lion. Quite an uproar about that one.

Another was this past deer season, am wanting to say up around Salina.

I read about these in the Wichita Eagle, every Sunday has the outdoor section, and when sightings are talked about, there is usually an article about whether KDWP confirmed it or not. I think their stance is that there are lions in Kansas, but most seem to be moving through.
 
I think the general consensus here is that: Yes, there are mountain lions in Kansas; and yes, the state knows about them - some of which may be tagged with GPS transponders.

We aren't a bunch of slap-happy paranoid PETA members, we are outdoor enthusiasts. I would tend to believe many of the members on this board, rather than some political PR representative from the state. I'd really like to talk to these coyote wagoneers you see out-and-about. Since they cover so much ground, both in the truck, and with the dogs, they would have excellent odds at spotting one.

Thanks to everyone who commented on this thread.
 
-Wildcat- said:
I think the general consensus here is that: Yes, there are mountain lions in Kansas; and yes, the state knows about them - some of which may be tagged with GPS transponders.

We aren't a bunch of slap-happy paranoid PETA members, we are outdoor enthusiasts. I would tend to believe many of the members on this board, rather than some political PR representative from the state. I'd really like to talk to these coyote wagoneers you see out-and-about. Since they cover so much ground, both in the truck, and with the dogs, they would have excellent odds at spotting one.

Thanks to everyone who commented on this thread.
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Well sir, I'm a fellow wagoneer. I as well as some of the guys in our bunch have spotted a cougar in and around the Cow Creek in Rice County. Only saw it for a few seconds but it was definately a cougar.
 
I think the State now admits their presence (the trail cam pic near Wakeeney I think was one of the straws that broke their deniability back). I have hunted coyotes and bobcats (with hounds) so I am pretty good with animal I.D. and I saw a mt lion in 1977. 100 yards away but it could not have been anything else. That being said, at that time, I lived for hunting (hunt birds and coyotes all day and grab the dogs at night for coons and cats) and I saw one in 10 years of stalking around prime territory. Obviously, if even seeing one is the exception they are few and far between.
 
KIRKSVILLE Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed that a group of hunters killed a young male mountain lion west of La Plata, Mo., on Saturday, Jan. 22. 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.

Mountain lions are protected under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The Code does allow the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. The incident must be reported to the MDC immediately and the intact carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered to the MDC within 24 hours.

The animal weighed 128 pounds. Members of the MDC Mountain Lion Response Team will examine the animal to gather additional information, including DNA, to help determine where the big cat came from.

This is the second young male mountain lion killed in Missouri this month and the fourth confirmed report of a mountain lion in Missouri since November.

“These four reports bring our total number of confirmed reports over the past 16 years to just 14,” said Rex Martensen of MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team.

Martensen added that, like in this situation, it appears that mountain lions seen in Missouri are young males roaming from other states in search of territory.

“Young male mountain lions go in search of new territories at about 18 months of age and during this time of year,” he explained. “To date, we have no evidence to suggest that a breeding population of mountain lions exists in Missouri.”

He added that mountain lions are nocturnal, secretive and generally avoid contact with humans.

Mountain lions (Puma concolor), also called cougars, panthers and pumas, were present in Missouri before pioneer settlement. The last documented Missouri mountain lion was killed in the Bootheel in 1927. The closest populations of mountain lions to Missouri are in South Dakota and a small population in northwest Nebraska.

Martensen added that MDC has never stocked or released mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other mountain-lion incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

For more information on mountain lions in Missouri, visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “mountain lion.”

Here is another from Mo. Two in less than a week.

Zeepo
 
kiotehntr said:
Well it sure is funny that a friend, who worked for the KDWP shot a lion, had them show up at his house and demanded to know where he had the lion. He never reported it being killed, yet they walked right up to his freezer in his shed and got it out. Nobody ever said that the KDWP agents knew about the release. Sure is funny though that an agent had a dead lion tracked to his freezer. Another farmer friend called KDWP to report a lion sighting and to explain that it was bothering his cattle. He called a couple times to report it, when nothing was done he finally shot the lion and drug it to a pasture to lay. Sure is funny that the KDWP showed a few hours later and questioned him as to where the lion was, yet they drove right in the pasture and drove right up to the lion. Your father-in-law probably was one that didn't know of the release but sure isn't going to tell you if he was. Of course he's going to tell you no lions were released, and that's fine, you go right on ahead and believe him, I DON'T and won't believe it. The state did release lions but won't own up to it due to the liability. I believe my friends one who was a KDWP agent over the state anyday!
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You sound insane to me! What was the reasoning behind releasing cougars in Kansas? And do you really think that such a release could legally take place? Your theory might just be one of the most far-fetched, ridiculous ideas I have ever heard.
 
And to claim that they were released to control deer number is crazy. Kansas has never had the need to control deer numbers. I don't think this state has ever had estimates of over 400,000 mule deer and whitetail combined. If they wanted to control deer numbers it would only be in the KC area and I don't think they want to release cougars in the city. So what did they trade to get the lions and what state did they work with? Common we need facts to back up your story. Did we trade deer, pheasants, turkeys? We did not have turkeys here until the 80's. Maybe colorado sent us a couple of breeding pairs with the trout we got from them.
 
westksbowhunter said:
You sound insane to me! What was the reasoning behind releasing cougars in Kansas? And do you really think that such a release could legally take place? Your theory might just be one of the most far-fetched, ridiculous ideas I have ever heard.
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That's the great thing about this country, we can agree to disagree! I'm not pushing the point anymore, you obviously are going to believe your father-in-law no matter what people say. Have a great day!
 
It would be pretty hard to keep capture and release of an endangered species such as the cougar quiet. It is my opinion that what we are seeing in Kansas is the wandering young males looking for a new territory. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the near future we don't hear of a female being found. But I am confindent they are coming here on there own not being released by KDWP. Something else, if eveybody had seen one that says they have, Kansas would have more lions that any other state! Some people will live their whole lives in prime cougar territory and never see one, yet it seems like 1 out of 3 people in Kansas has. With the 1000's of trail cams out there more than just a handful of pictures would be showing up if there were more than just a handful.
 
I don't know what the point of the whole thread is anymore. There are theories of Mountain Lions being released by the DNR in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, these are just the ones I have heard personally. Do I think that the state and or federal govt. would release cougars and not tell anyone, I don't, are they aware that cougars roam the states from other established populations, I'm equally sure they are! Do they coddle and defend? absolutely! But anyone who denies that they are out there in some number between 0-500 statewide is naive. If they are young males today, they will be young females following along soon, to occupy the habitat, we have created for them. Not much of a threat to pheasants, but might do a number on pheasant predators, so cheer up!
 
What is it about mountain lions that apparently causes such a reaction of fear and dread in the states just a bit removed from the Rocky Mountains? The instances when the cats are encountered from the Dakotas through IA, NE, MO and KS are almost always reports of "hunters" being forced to shoot them in response to some perceived threat. I don't, for a moment, believe that any threat was present. Rather, I think that it's some redneck trying to gain easy recognition for his bogus Tarzan fantasy.

Here in CO and in most of the mountain states, we have a healthy population of lions. We hike, camp, fish, hunt and generally recreate in their presence. They occasionally wander through the intensely populated Denver/Boulder suburbs without incident. Despite being in their constant proximity, lions are seldom, if ever, seen and any sightings are considered enviable. I have never seen one- much to my dismay.

Livestock predation by mountain lions is minimal compared to coyotes and bears. Please inform me of the threat from them (other than their occasional snacking on free ranging housecats and yappy dogs- which might be considered as a plus). I believe that there have only been 2 recorded human fatalities attributed to lions in Colorado- EVER. Most states/provinces have never had an incident of human conflict. By contrast, I would be willing to bet that more folks have died in Kansas as a result of turkeys crashing through their windshields- and, certainly, from deer incidents.

I just don't understand the fear and horror that lions evoke in these neighboring states. And, I strongly condemn the bubba mentality which promotes killing them on sight. There's nothing heroic about executing one of these cats and such actions should be rightfully considered as an opportunistic attempt at notoriety by some dunce. That the public buys into this is pathetic. I didn't realize that folks required that their lives be that homogenized.

I know, I know.......who invited me to this party?

ratt
 
Spotted and shot a pic of this one in Norton County.:D Farmer we hunt on has owned this one since it was a cub. He used to let the thing ride in the truck with him when it was younger.
 
wow rattman you must be reading my mail. i saw the news report of the hunter that killed the cougar a few miles east of here. He was near tears as he recounted the so- called threat to his children. Give me a break. Bubba jr has a better chance at being mauled by a carnival bear than he does getting bitten by a cougar. They killed it because the could. The story was merely an alibi to stay out of trouble. The thought of the KDWP planting cougars to control the deer herd is absurd. Hell it wasn't but a few years ago here it was hard to get a deer permit in many regions of kansas. We still have to wait until after the rut to hunt with a rifle.
 
kiotehntr said:
That's the great thing about this country, we can agree to disagree! I'm not pushing the point anymore, you obviously are going to believe your father-in-law no matter what people say. Have a great day!
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Yea I am not pushing the point either. We have lions, but only a few and very few at that, that occasionally wonder through. 99% of the reported sightings are false. And they were not released by KDWP. Have a great day!
 
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