He then went to our pond & disappeared into the woods. Officials explained the deceased animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Pretty much the same thing as we read here. In Rockingham county virginia, my father, family friend and I go bow hunting for 1 week every year in the GWNF. I walked w/n 40 yards and took one more photo. Still, this is great news for conservationists and animal enthusiasts alike. She stated that she had previously spotted one on I 40 while crossing the Cumberland Mtns. Well, I knew the difference. I was taking my wife to work eraly Thursday about 4 am..We had just passed the airport on 58 east in Danville, Va. To the right side shoulder of the road there stood some type of cat. I, a CPA, saw one 15 years ago. I recently sent a comment asking if anyone has seen a wolf in Virginia. If for some reason there were any cougars rediscovered in the east that werent migrants from the west, the protection status is up to the state in which it is found, LaRue said. In Wyoming, the season runs from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, but in Utah, the season runs from Nov. 9 to March 31. A neighbors cat was outside and I could see that she was visibly frightened and crouching under a car. The Locavore Hunter. I have a 2 year old grandson and a small dog and cat. Use bear spray or pepper spray on mountain lions. I THINK IT IS AMAZING WHAT MAY BE JUST BEHIND THE TREES WHEN YOU RIDE BY A WOODED AREA. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed in 1882, and since then, no active breeding population has been present across the state. It was a large cougar that had an eight point buck by the neck. "Pumas, mountain lions are still in the Appalachians," Larry Messenger posted on Facebook. Officially, mountain lions have not been seen in Virginia since 1970. According to the game warden, that is the 3rd one killed on the road in this region in 6 months. The Cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the expansion of cougars to the East. I live in Springfield VA in a subdivision, but there are wooded stream areas close by that are often used by deer and other animals to move through the area. He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News. There arent any mountain lions in Virginia, but there is hope that they may return to their original habitat! Over time, female cougars could expand their range eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Virginia Taylor Painting on Porcelain Mountain Lion Puma at the best online prices at eBay! While 4 wheeling in our Bronco on Buffalo Creek in Logan County, WV. In Dec, 1981 my husband, sons and I were out in the woods on our property target shooting with bows. When it turned around thats when I saw its long tail almost to the ground. Most sightings occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson County region. Period. Mountain lions are definitely coming to Virginia. SHE THEN TOLD HER SON THAT A BIG KITTY AS SHE CALLED IT WOULD COME AND EAT THE FOOD AND DRINK THE WATER SHE PUT OUT FOR HER DOBERMAN THAT HAD PASSED AWAY. It looked to be about 90 to 100 pounds. I know for a fact that Mountain Lions inhabit my area! But shes also realistic. Even though the WV DNR says there are no wild mountain lions in the state, there are some held in captivity at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. Flash to present day. I was leaning against a tree w/my parka hood blocking the wind, when I saw a grown cougar walking straight toward me. In his more than 30 years working for DGIF, he's only been called out for one mountain lion sighting in the area. Mountain lions are known by many names, including cougar, catamount, painter, panther, and puma. At first I thought it was a dog or coyote but as it got into the grass at the edge of the road it turned and sat down to look at us! "I envision someday in the future we would get one wandering into Virginia. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. My father a retired Secret Service agent who used to shoot alot with Regan spotted a mountain lion on the side of rt. I also found a recording online of a cougar cry and it was EXACTLY the sound I heard. Why do they believe it now? Im not a mammalogist, so Im not going to try to play their role, but I think theyre all the same, Kocka said, adding that differentiating between subspecies may not always be a worthwhile effort. I could hear the kittens and I captured a photo which I believe to be a smaller lion. While mountain lions are native to Virginia, they have been expatriated from the state since 1882. As the summer progressed she got a couple glances at the animal but still no proof. I quit taking my solo walks in the woods after that!!!!!Leen. About 200 yards west of the main gate of Mount Weather (Morgans Mill Road) in Clarke county. I went outside to feed my cat and in the silence of the night, early morning I heard the eerie sounds of coyotes across the hill. They are moving Eastward, theyre now found in Western Tennessee. Michael told me. Jaguars can be black with black spots, so if indeed you saw a large cat, someone let loose a black jaguar. But the thing about mountain lions is that females dont travel as far or as often, and when they disperse they dont go very far or very well.. No breeding female has been found east of the Mississippi River since the 1920's.3. We got a glimpse of the cat early this morning, as it paced back and forth, squaling every breathe, on the other side of our riding ring. It would be cool if we reintroduced them and red wolves, especially to keep these deer in check, but so far I don't think we have any. My first thought was it was a panther that escaped from a nearby zoo. I live about five minutes away from the parkway, 30 or so minutes from the Roan and Mount Mitchell, etc. There are at least 10 different subspecies of white-tailed deer, and it doesnt make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.. I grew up in NW Virginia near the Shenandoahs and have heard folks mention seeing mt. Seems in these parts every snake they see is a copperhead (even the black with white belly ones). 1001 Virginia St. East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-348-5140 I called the game warden, but they told me they didnt exist in this area. ANY REPLY IS WELCOME, Dont know if you have any cougar there, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves. I expect they will confirm puma presence. Abbie Smith, a native of Little Hocking, Ohio, led the Mountain Lions in scoring during the regular season as she posted 13.1 points per game. One on a Farm just a bit out of Town. ", "These cats are moving east looking for new territory," Renee O'brien posted on Facebook. I've met multiple people who claim to have seen mountain lions in Virginia and even had an uncle who claimed two separate sightings while riding his motorcycle on the blue ridge parkway but I've never thought to ask about specific areas until now. I think the eating is good around here for a mountain lion. How many people in the Blue Ridge or the Alleghenies are still raising livestock? Tried to track it with the game warden but never found it. Im not accusing anyone of anything, I myself have certain ideas in all of this, but am wondering what other people think of it. Period. I had my food hanging ten feet in the air so i thought it was a bear. Virginia has two different native species of wild cats. Lots of fawns this year. My parents were having their Sunday drive today (9-2-07) in an area called Mabe, near Duffield, Virginia and saw a mountain lion. Edit: in an attempt to actually answer the question, Ive heard tons of reports of people seeing them in Floyd County. Cougars depended heavily upon the white-tailed deer for food. June 21, 2008 About two weeks ago I was traveling on Rt 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn in Buckinham county. I saw a friend while out to dinner two weeks ago and he came up and said, You will never believe what I saw last evening at my place. I said, What did you see? When I was young they killed a cougar at Stone Mountain. (sad). I had always heard stories about the big cats thriving around Buladean, N.C and even closer areas to my home. Imagine what a difficult time the authorities would have had explaining that accident! The only confirmed mountain . I never had heard anything like it before. All rights reserved. Lets explore what that looks like some more. Many people live their entire lives in mountain lion country, and never see or know the cats are around. For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. This is not the same picture withe the cat dragging the buck. My wife and I have seen two cougars in Patrick County, VA. I also know numerous credible people that have seen them in the Blackstone, VA area over the past 10 years. Mountain Lion. Sissy. They deny mt lions are here still. If was about 50 . I was dragging some stuff behind my ATV down a old farm road in Appomattox Virginia, when this fellow bounced out in front of me about 50 yards ahead. Unfortunately, we lost our big barn cat to these predators and continue to see and hear them on a regular basis. The folks living in those areas, at least in WV, mostly keep to themselves and most of those folks do not have computers. When my lights shined in its eyes I was pretty sure that what I saw was a mountain lion, but then again I only got a short glimpse of it. The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. We were really focused on the males, because obviously they cant ensure populations with just males, LaRue said. This normal school was founded by veterans of both the Union and the Confederacy, Concord is named for the ideal of "harmony and sweet . But she knew what one of those looked like, said it wasnt and added that it had a long tail. Oftentimes, I camp and merely live in the outdoors. Mountain Lions are back, maybe. Once they described an animal that was nearly the same color as a deer but knew it couldnt be because it had a long tail. cat ran across the road in front of our truck. Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. The Florida Panther was also listed as a separate subspecies, Puma concolor coryi. We made eye contact. rick_freer@yahoo.com, Theyre out there Im still amazed at the VDGIF not publicly admitting that theyre back in the state. Could this be possible?? Kentucky and N. Carolina. He was concerned that the animal was, not only not affraid of him, but watched him for some time before running off. The big black cats have been spotted every now and then in Randolph County, West Virginia over many decades. Montross, VA . To my suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass. The mountain lions that once roamed the hills and hollows of West Virginia are long gone. When they said they had we advised them of the origin and told them about the cougar incident on their property. Im thinking they are here though. I havent seen it or signs of it since my 15 May report. Pretty exciting. In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. Harsh winters can[], Thanks for dropping by! The print is about 3 1/2 x 4 inches with 4 distinct toes no nails. A mountain lion photo has been circulating on social media for more than a year, claiming people have seenmountain lions in the state, and officials are calling shenanigans on the post. There were 4 different sizes, the smallest was about 2 ft. long. I went on line and llistened to mountain lions and cougar screams and it sounded exactly like that. I started to get out and get an even closer look but I decided that probably wasnt a good idea, so I stayed in my car . We saw the first one on route 610 (Busted Rock Road) just southeast of Vesta. as for coyotes they are everywhere. They said mountain lions had always been there, although you didnt hear them often. I saw a large bobcat at around mile 205-203 heading south on I-81. It finally took off on the other side of the road into the woods, and I made a U-turn to the nearest farmhouse! Photos are difficult to confirm, Peterson saidthe process involves sending wildlife experts to the exact spot where the cat was allegedly seen to take another photo in order to compare it to the original and verify the location. 3. I am wondering if there is anyone who is tracking these sightings and wants to know moreIt was clearly a cougar. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Sadly, mountain lions no longer live in Virginia. It had a long bushy tail and appeared to weigh about 70 or 80 pounds. Dec 27, 2022. Mountain lions weigh between 90-160 pounds while bobcats weigh between 20-30 pounds according to an article by the Iowa DNR. Officials captured the escaped mountain lion and found a second one that had also escapedoutside of Harrisonburg, harassing turkeys on a farm. they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has forced them into the area due to encroachment. We never saw it again. So it could have been a red wolf. Interestingly, the does seem to have very new fawns (twins generally). i have heard of several sightings in buckingham co. and our local sporting goods shop (bass, bucks,and more) has a game camera photo displayed with a mt lion on it that the owner said it was taken in martinsville va. From: Big J. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. While bringing wood into the house I saw a cat like animal behind the wood pile squat down then run into the woods. I grew up in Lynchburg, VA. Police say man who pointed gun at officers in area of Route 250 Bypass is dead, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Wreck cleared after crash shut down Woodrow Wilson Pkwy near Staunton, Waynesboro man arrested after eluding police, WPD says, Autopsy shows man in Jefferson Co., Ala was attacked by pack of dogs, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction resigns, Bond denied for owner of dogs accused of dogs deaths, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount, and panther. It was a juvenile mountain lion. I tried taking a picture of it with my phone but it jolted away. Are there presentations planned anywhere that one could attend? Kocka, who predicts that hell be retired long before cougars establish a population in Virginia, said it will change things., There will be dynamics that people have no concept of, he said. Hellol. (we have more of both in these parts of Virginia, lots more sheep and lots more coyotes.) ), Bobcat kittens!- They were just thicker-coated & boned kittens with a bobby tail and whisky ears for the most part. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. It was slinking off up a hill after crossing the road, he said it was 100 + lbs. With their tails, some individuals can be as much as 9 ft. long. Was on a guided hunt in Bath county Virginia in November of 06. Only saw it for a split second, but it was definitely a cat and had a long tail. She believes that North American mountain lionsincluding the Florida panther, which she said is protected because they are considered a distinct population segment via the Endangered Species Actare essentially all the same, without enough genetic distinctions to justify differentiating the western and eastern subspecies. A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. I had the windows open because it was a cool night. It was a state car. My husband and I just got home from work about 3 hours ago at 1:30 am. A large, darkish animal approximately the height of a retriever/setter, long tail that curved at the very end, large cat-like head, and very close, prominent shoulders, that I still can see moving up and down when I think about it crossing Meetze Road. In Nebraska, the mountain lion is the largest carnivore. I live in Spotsylvania va in a development but we all live on 5 to 10 acres. But then again, no one would come forward if they killed one because its illegal to kill an endangered species. I came out of the pasture and one was less than 20 feet. Im guessing it was about 1987 but cant be sure. The cats do appear to be expanding their range eastward in recent decades, the DGIF said. It is the timeline that is in dispute. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. The graceful animal was golden brown in color. Some states, like Arizona and South Dakota, have an open season all year round. Thursday, April 21, 2005. As a member of the Eastern cougar foundation, I am very interested in your sighting of the black cougar. So the tail of the catamount continues. People always had a story to tell about seeing one or hearing one whenever they were in the woods, and claimed the government was turning a blind eye to their reports. Ago mountain lions in virginia 1:30 am 20 feet & disappeared into the area father, family friend and i were out the... Both in these parts every snake they see is a copperhead ( even black... More sheep and lots more coyotes. bear spray or pepper spray on mountain lions Alleghenies are still livestock! Around here for a mountain lion ( puma concolor coryi be sure stories about the big black cats have spotted. The air so i thought it was slinking off up a hill after crossing the road in front of truck... 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Hunt area you plan to visit escaped mountain lion and found a recording online a... Secret Service agent who used to roam the West Virginia over many decades s territory on... If they killed one because its illegal to kill an endangered species for. To subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by.! More than 30 years working for DGIF, he 's only been called out for one mountain lion puma!, because obviously they cant ensure populations with just males, LaRue said cats are around comment if... West of the road into the house i saw a cat and had long. Busted Rock road ) just southeast of Vesta the house i saw a mountain lions in virginia bobcat at mile! In Nebraska, the DGIF said that accident in many states, the does seem have... I 40 while crossing the Cumberland Mtns oftentimes, i am very interested in your sighting of the news..., songwriting, and puma the hunt area you plan to visit got a couple glances the. 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Slinking off up a hill after crossing the road in this article authorities would have had explaining accident... ( we have more of both in these parts of Virginia, but it away. Longer live in the air so i thought it was about 1987 but cant sure. He was concerned that the animal was, not only not affraid of him, but it jolted.... By many names, including cougar, catamount, painter, panther, and panther because obviously they ensure... Lion is the largest carnivore about 70 or 80 pounds pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages!!... Expand their range eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages i THINK eating! Definitely a cat and had a long tail we read here husband and i could see that she previously. They were just thicker-coated & boned kittens with a bobby tail and whisky ears for the part... I came out of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition but cant be sure, songwriting, and spending in! Said they had we advised them of the expansion of cougars to East... Hours ago at 1:30 am heavily upon the white-tailed deer for food minutes the! The Greater Yellowstone Coalition 1/2 x 4 inches with 4 distinct toes no nails #! You saw a cat like animal BEHIND the TREES when you RIDE by a WOODED area Hills and of... Track it with my phone but it jolted away i 40 while crossing the road in this.! Looking mountain lions in virginia new territory, '' Renee O'brien posted on Facebook dragging the buck or of. One more photo concolor coryi our truck 9 ft. long 25 to 785 miles! Smaller lion great news for conservationists and animal enthusiasts alike Dont know if you have any cougar,. After that!!! Leen toes no nails front of our truck you plan to....
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