i recently moved to Martinsville from Ct. My folks have lived in Stuart for the past 11 years. In reply to Sharon if you can give more details on date of kill and on the location of the road kill at Buchannan, Virginia I would look for remains or inquire if VDOT made any report of it as they may have picked it up off the road. Anyone with info local to south central VA, email me at austinsandsons@verizon.net. Ihad only one game warden to believe me. Dont know what it was, but I have always wondered if it was a big cat or not. George, A friend showed me a picture of a cougar, carrying a deer head. Authorities say there have been reports of . I live in Montgomery Co, and was wondering if you could tell me where exactly you saw the cougar in 2002 in Floyd county. They are dark reddish-or yellowish-brown dorsally, lighter ventrally, the tail tip is dark, and the fur is short, soft and unspotted. Just wondering if anyone has spotted any coyotes near us in Thaxton? The sub-species of the eastern cougar indigenous to the state is extinct. No claw marks. THanks CArole. I am concerned since that pond is a source of water for my horse. My grandparents lived most of their lives near Summersville, WV, in Nicholas County. "Don't care what the officials say. I wouldnt be surprised by any scenario pointing to encroachment and/or incidental release. Since 1970, scores of wild mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. I don't think we're real close to that.". We have spotted a mother black bear and cub over by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome. Definitely not bobbies. (we have more of both in these parts of Virginia, lots more sheep and lots more coyotes.) Given the great broad-side view, I couldnt help but notice its shear size the cat stood approximately 2.5-3 feet in height, and was approximately 4-5 feet in length. She was certain of the species but said it moved very slowly and appeared to be thin and weak. At first I thought it was a bob cat but it was larger and the color was not right. Someone is trying to instill fear about mountain lions on the loose in Virginia, though the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries says it's fake news. . I got into the bald on Big Hump and I heard an odd noise, like a quick screaching bird and something ran off. At first I thought it might be a big black dog like a mastiff or something but I saw the tail and it was just like a bigger version of my house cats tail. During one of our walks last weekend my sister spotted a very !large! Also one of my buddies friends that owns a house in remote Forest took a picture of a mountain . Today is Sept. 29, 2008. We were standing near the barn about 10 AM when we observed a disturbance about 400-600 yards off in a field near the tree line. I had my food hanging ten feet in the air so i thought it was a bear. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. I thought that cougars were hunted to the point of extermination in Virginia, I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny my sighting with what little information I had I just think in would be really cool if they were moving back into these mountains. Also the Coyotes up there are getting out of hand in my eyes. Though, they grew large quickly, and set themselves apart from the domesticated cat with ease They eventually returned back to the woods. Where I hunt in Linden the owners have said to have seen a really big black cat. While it's highly unlikely that you should happen upon one, keep in mind that they can spook easily and charge. On June 17, 2015, the U.S. Ive heard stories of forest rangers at Apple Orchard Falls BRPkway and Potts Mountain, Craig Co being relocated for taking pics of mountain lions is there anyway to confirm such? Flash to present day. shortly after this, it was reported in the article, a puma was killed by a sheep rancher in an adjoining W.VA county. Thanks for any help, as plenty claim they are here also. It was such a chilling sound at 1:30 in the morning. We were really focused on the males, because obviously they cant ensure populations with just males, LaRue said. But the majesty and strength of the Mountain Lion was still apparent! Its actually kind of scary if you think about it. I opened the door and told my husband to hurry up and come outside. I, a CPA, saw one 15 years ago. Forestry rangers said several ponies killed , others attcked off 811 near Evington, va. In the case where two mountain lions had been found locally, it didn't take long for them to stir up trouble. My farm helper saw one at approximately the same location yesterday. It certainly is rare to get more than just a glimpse of them. Even though we still didnt have any physical proof we were excited because this was the first time wed had an adult verify a cougar sighting here. Experience Shenandoah: Make Memories That Will Last a Lifetime. They acted like I had schizophrenia though admitted there have been other reports.even though they do not officially exist here. I couldnt see their relative sizes, as they were not close together until right before I entered the woods, and one was very low in the grass, could only see its eyes reflected. Mountain lions weigh between 90-160 pounds while bobcats weigh between 20-30 pounds according to an article by the Iowa DNR. It was hit by a log truck in Buckingham Co. near Dillwyn in early spring. I saw one near my home in Floyd County. OUR DEER POPULATION IS SO RIDICULOUS THAT A COUGARE WOULD HAVE PLENTY TO FEED ON-JUST WONDERING WITH THE LAKE AND HIGH POPULATION OF DEER, IS THIS POSSIBLE. Found no prints, unfortunately. This evening my husband and I were driving up our country lane in western Amherst county when a large, dark brown (black?) Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT. Their conclusion: "Sir, you don't have a mountain lion.". They yelled back at me, got a little closer, and seemingly vanished into the valley after I heard the uncanny Mountain Lion yell. It was early morning on the first occasion and nearing dusk on the second, but both times there was plenty of light and no doubt whatsoever that the long-tailed cat was a mountain lion. Sadly, these animals were killed because they were viewed as a threat to humans and livestock. Last year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the eastern population of cougars extinct, but based on numerous sightings and reports, you can't be too sure. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. We went out there today to look for tracks. they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has forced them into the area due to encroachment. Whatever it was was big and right under my window. The fur was short and the common light red-brown hue of a cougar. No good road kill presented to VDWR or local newspapers, none trapped by hunters or researchers, none seen by professional naturalists or captured by wildlife photographers. I remember it freaked my dad out a lot because he had several small children. After DNA testing . I saw them 11 times within 3 weeks. One of the yotes had her by the mouth over her nose and one had her by the throat while the other 2 watched. Cougar, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Panther, and Puma, (Some of the names for this great cat) and is found principally in the mountains. The AT Camera survey did not get a photo of a cougar during 2007. A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. I bearly got a glimpse, thought at first it was a deer. Th cat didnt pay any attention to them although they were careful to remain at a distance until it got into the woods and disappeared. It moved with grace and without sound. He got only a few yards from the back door when the flashlight moved in the direction of a large cougar crouching in the garden and staring directly at him! Scientists once classified over 30 subspecies of cougars based on morphological differences. Last year I was outside with my lab and I heard that scream that sent my dog running frantically away and stopped me in my tracks. But we are talking about an actual animal which has a possibility of existing in localized population in some areas of the east. I believe that area was once habitat for the red wolf. Even if the Eastern Cougar and Florida Panther were considered members of the same subspecies, they would have still qualified for separate listings as distinct breeding populations. 1001 Virginia St. East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-348-5140 When I was a kid we lived on a mountain in the Shenandoah Valley (near Front Royal/ Linden) and there were several mountain Lion sightings and people who claimed to have heard them. But really, itll change peoples viewpoints at some point., Experts in Tennessee dont know exactly how many mountain lions are roaming the area, but they do know one thing for sure: at least one of them is a female. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Without as many wolves around, coyote populations began to thrive and expand eastward. The Concord Mountain Lions are the athletic teams that represent Concord University, located in Athens, West Virginia, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. kind of beige, dark grey at tip of tail, white underbelly. I'll take any sighting you got, just make a note of location, size and color of the animal, some context on what you where doing when you saw them (hiking a trail, hunting, chilling in your yard, ect), and any behaviors you noticed from the animal. In fact, they found an African Lion skull in the Blue Ridge mts not too long back. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern puma from their endangered species list, declaring that the species is now extinct. About a month ago I was visiting a local sheep farmer (more gentleman farmer than actual make-money-farming farmer). WVa Sanctuary provides safe home for mountain lions and bobcat. The woman I spoke with assured it would be left alone unless there was a problem with it, in which case it would be relocated. The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount, and panther. In 1996-98 I lived in Catharpin, VA near Manassas Battlefield. 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. "To date, none of these reports have been substantiated by a photo, carcass or track. You could check with the Dept. Could it have been one of those? IT MAY BE A BS STORY SOMEONE STARTED BUT THE LOCAL TV STATION A WHILE BACK HAD COMMENTED THAT THERE MAY BE LARGER PREDATORS IN OUR WOODS AND THEY INCLUDED BEARS PUMA,BOBCAT COYETTE ETC. It was a brownish tan in color and was at least as large as my yellow lab. A French naturalist created the name "cougar" by combining "puma" with "jaguar." Chronic Wasting Disease positive results in Virginia, 2009-19. Last week in a dusty spot I found what I thought might be catamount signs. We do have pictures of that! On Saturday October 11 2008, I was bow hunting on our place in Amelia Virginia and a mountain lion walked right up and sat down about 25 yards in front of me. I thought I might be crazy a first, and I didnt know if black mountain lions existed; so started researching them and came to this site. My father a retired Secret Service agent who used to shoot alot with Regan spotted a mountain lion on the side of rt. I stopped thinking I would see a deer cross the old farm road. In recent years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common. We got a clear enough look at it to even distinguish what appeared to be some some kind of scarring, or maybe it was just dirt streaks, on its upper right hind leg. I would assume that a large black cat would be that type. So, i think that there are sightings that no one ever hears about. I would love to get a photo of it. Not much evidence but plenty of stories. Because they are lone animals that are not breeding. It turned out the claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and the panther is most active at night. Biologists and wildlife specialists speculate that cougars will reestablish themselves in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia within the next 25 to 50 years. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. Be that as it may, I have happened upon a number of large feline tracks similar to those of the cougar, and while rerunning the indelible images of my sighting, can only deduce that the animal I saw was just that. Wolves once thrived in Virginia, but due to the harm they inflicted on farms and livestock, they were hunted by the settlers of Jamestown and eventually became extinct. I couldnt believe it! Each sighting involved cougars that are not native to New York. If theyre still around here, during deer season, Im assuming well get more pictures from trail cameras, he said. Mountain lions in Nebraska are a division of the larger population spread through all western U.S. states, and predators move unobstructedly among Nebraska and neighboring U.S. states, especially South Dakota and Wyoming. The US Fish and Wildlife Service considered the lack of sightings during that period to be key evidence that no breeding population survived in the eastern states. My neighbor has a grandson that is almost 3 years old, they were outside and he was crying (nothing was wrong) it was more of a I want my way kind of cry, but it seemed to go on for a long time. Just reporting back. We know theres at least one there, and if we get reports of a cougar causing damage then theres a possibility well need to investigate that. It then stopped in the road and turned to look at me. I raise miniature horses and am quite concerned as we are surrounded by woods in Warrenton. Look forward to talking more. Although they still live in North America, there arent any wild populations (save for one) on the east coast. At a distance of about 350 yards, we looked out to the distant field w/ a pair of binoculars and noticed that it wasnt deer, but infact a few larger cats. I was so shocked that I could even stop the car in time to see it again. Nobody even thinks anything of it because of its regularity. Broad daylight, it crossed the road approx. 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