Mountain Lions and Their Historic Range in West Virginia. #1. About 5 miles before we got to the Hollow, a large blond cat crossed the parkway. I personally would not have believed a description like this, but the photos say it all. I met with Michael Fies, Wildlife Biologist with the DWR, and we spoke about the history, extinction, and sightings of mountain lions in the Valley. Well, then we know theres a cougar there, Peterson said simply. WVa Sanctuary provides safe home for mountain lions and bobcat. They had their minds set and there was nothing that was going to change their minds. Saturday 27 Sept 08 I found a large paw print in the mud from the recent rains. Anyone who wants to put this mystery to rest should just spend a few days in those mountainscase would be closed for sure on big black cats. There is wide open space there, high cliffs, and an abundance of deer. "These two were seen and were causing trouble before the guy who owned them knew they were gone," Fies said. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. Harsh winters can[], Thanks for dropping by! People have been reporting sightings of mountain lions in our area for years, but the Virginia DWR says they haven't been in our area since 1882. Cant say what it was and hope to never see again. In 1979, The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries cited the mountain lion, or puma or cougar, to be an endangered or threatened animal in Virginia. Fish and Wildlife Service has made official what has long been suspected that the eastern mountain lion is extinct. In Nebraska, the mountain lion is the largest carnivore. His tail looked a couple of feet long! Officials captured the escaped mountain lion and found a second one that had also escapedoutside of Harrisonburg, harassing turkeys on a farm. For an "In the Valley" episode, I investigated . If any would like to see the pictures that was with this E-mail. VIRGINIA CITY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) A Storey County Sheriff's Office deputy took a photo of a mountain lion in Virginia City over the weekend. I just wonder if I have the same picture, & also if it is true. In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. I didnt think any more of it until we had our coyote visitor but now shes certain what she saw was a little of coyote pups. They could be making a similiar mistake about the cougar sightings. (we have more of both in these parts of Virginia, lots more sheep and lots more coyotes.) I went out to get something from my car, and about five to ten yards away I see a huge black cat slowly cross the street, pause, look around and go into the surrounding woods. One glanced at us. Managing them in that way allowed for populations to rebound, and thats what we think is fueling the dispersal. Growing up, my parents always warned me about mountain lions whenever I went hiking, and everyone in the area accepted them as fact. Additionally, those unaccustomed to living near apex predators will need to adjust their way of thinking! People often see bobcats & mistakenly call them a mountain lion. The cougar has not been confirmed in Virginia since 1882, but there are increasing signs they have returned to the state. Anyone know where to find a recording of cat sounds? Does anyone realy know??? We still hear these screams from time to time but most recently (Dec 26, 2006) our grand daughter spotted a coyote digging in our manure pile for varmits! Flash to present day. Probably 10s of thousands across the Appalachian regions of the state. I would love to get a photo of it. They wondered if it was a kind of dog or even a cat. I dont know how realistic they are, but here are calls: Bobcat, cougar/mountain lion/puma/painter, whatever the name is in your area. There were 4 different sizes, the smallest was about 2 ft. long. We didnt know what it was, but later walking in the field we found lots of turkey feathers but no specific sign of coyote or lion. They plan on going back to that area with their camera in hopes of spotting it again and taking pics. But we are talking about an actual animal which has a possibility of existing in localized population in some areas of the east. Overall about 3 1/2 inches wide by about 3 inches front to back. My first thought was it was a panther that escaped from a nearby zoo. Now when I go back towards where that was to hunt I get shivers. ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the, Expansion and Restoration of Bison to Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, History of the Greater Yellowstone wolf restoration, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? When a female kitten gets big enough, she doesnt have to go very far, because nobodys kicking her in the butt to get far away.. There has been speculation of the cougars being in Rockingham county so I am very excited to hear from the commmunity on any other possible sightings. 3. It was slinking off up a hill after crossing the road, he said it was 100 + lbs. 1:00. All we get are hearsay stories and misidentified wildlife. I am not 100% certain but I would like it if someone could identify the cats for me. 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. lions do not inhabit the Virginia mountains. Although the eastern cougar is extinct, there are still sightings of these cats across the state. My e-mail address is gardrserv@yahoo.com & would be more than willing to give anyone any info as to what & where I saw. Four very distinct toes and a large pad. A neighbors cat was outside and I could see that she was visibly frightened and crouching under a car. Also 16-20 at the shoulder seems short for 120lbs. It was standing in front of my car. We have reports of mountain lions being seen in the area of High Nob/ Fort Blackmore Virginia. I couldnt believe it! 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. I havent seen it or signs of it since my 15 May report. He told me stories of escaped mountain lions that hes seen, but noted that they typically stayed close to people, or near areas where they were kept. As I slowed the cat took notice and turned. "Usually youngish males.". 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. Me and my wife were on Leesville Rd in Evington just at the Otter River when we saw a large black cat the size of a mountain lion running up the grassyhill by the road. I was going to let him walk on by obviously, when suddenly he sat down about 25 yards right in front of me, not facing me, I had a beautiful side view of him. of Wildlife. He never saw the cat again but never went out at night without a gun. Do you think what I heard may have been a cougar or a mountain lion? All of this happened just out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do. My wife shot video of what we believe to be a panther or mountain lion. You want to talk about uneasy its almost like it was stalking us. Only the cubs have spots and stripes, though adults can have bold black accents on the face/ears. While 4 wheeling in our Bronco on Buffalo Creek in Logan County, WV. There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. The game warden cut open the animal and it had 2 walker hounds in its stomach. I have since seen a picture of a lion spotted in Buckingham co. and realize that was the animal I saw. Eastern cougars (mountain lions) do not have a native, self sustaining population in New York State. Are there presentations planned anywhere that one could attend? They prefer habitats where its difficult for people to go, LaRue said. I think I have now seen a mountain lion! If some one ask if there are lions in Danville, Va tell them hell yes! I myself saw 2 big black cats with a tawny one run out of an abandoned barn back in the late 1970s in upstate NY. It's not the first time the same photo has been used to make claims of local sightings. Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. Its probably only a matter of time though their territory is expanding steadily. The girls were young and werent sure what theyd seen. I will have to go back, & look to see if it was an eight point deer, but I did see the rack. Lots of fawns this year. My husband saw it too. They yelled back at me, got a little closer, and seemingly vanished into the valley after I heard the uncanny Mountain Lion yell. http://www.cougarnet.org, I LIVE NEAR PATRICK CO VA AND WORK NEAR ROCKINGHAM CO. NC. I put on the speed and got within about 30 years before it jumped off into the brush. Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. I have a 2 year old grandson and a small dog and cat. We live in Oak Hill, Virginia, in a neighborhood. 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. Today, we are going to be learning about where they live. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. None has ever gotten a clear verifiable shot of a cougar. I saw a cougar take down a deer in Bedford County, Virginia a number of years ago. This is between Fairfax and Reston. Im not sure if they really believed us but a few years ago the lady and her friend rode their horses off into the battlefield trails which begin in a field directly across from our front door. I live in Spotsylvania va in a development but we all live on 5 to 10 acres. Copyright 2022 WHSV. Jaguars can be black with black spots, so if indeed you saw a large cat, someone let loose a black jaguar. After speaking with several people who claimed to see one, I made a trip to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) office in Verona. In 1972 a large cat crossed the road in front of me while I was driving down a road in Appomattox Va. Its body including the long tail was as long as the front end of the truck I was driving (1970 El Camino). Others have confused the Eastern mountain lion with coyotes, bobcats, or even deer. Whether its via Appalachian Trail or some random place in the woods near my home, I almost always encounter some sort of larger mammal. For decades, the chances of coming across one of these big cats in an eastern state were slim to none, and much to the chagrin of residents like Marchibroda who have reported sightings, the U.S. The last one seen was last summer. They still occur in parts of Central and South America. The cougar has the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. into the places they were often in but not noticed until recently. Based on the photographs and videos we receive, the primary ones that people mistake them for are bobcats. In August 2004, a cougar was captured on film near Craigsville, Virginia and identified by professional wildlife biologists of the Eastern Puma Research Network. It was approximately 5 ft. long & 2 ft. high. "They've been found as far east as western Tennessee," Fies said. I am in the Linville, NC area and have had several people tell me that they have seen a mountain lion during the past three to four years. If a mountain lion walks around an area enough, many different humans will notice. It wasnt a very old cat, and Im pretty sure it wasnt fully grown. Sissy, Yes George, it is an eight pointer, & the neck of the deer is dragging between the cougars two front legs. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Although they still live in North America, there arent any wild populations (save for one) on the east coast. I am not sure we should base the existence of mountain lions in VA. and TN on the opinions of a few biologists. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In reality, the mountain lion had escaped from a nearby property, where it was being held captive along with three other mountain lions. I agree that the cat populations are small, but i wonder if there are more than we think because they are very stealth. Or try to cover it up.Afraid it will cause panic. And while common throughout the state . Those eyes I will never forget as the cars lights stunned it for a moment.. Last night i was driving back to college from home. Email me. Although there are no more eastern mountain lions, there is a small population of Florida panthers that live in the swamps of Florida. I was camping up there with some friends and we could have sworn we heard howling! 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. Could it have been one of those? Surviving pony has teeth marks at neck. On another ride our oldest daughter described a cat that was smaller but she said the color was different it had spots. A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. The Cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the expansion of cougars to the East. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed in 1882, and since then, no active breeding population has been present across the state. My mother lives in Orange, and has seen a mountain lion in the past couple of weeks, as well as several years ago. The animal looks to be a mountain lion I havent contacted the Animal control people yet unless it takes up residence here. I was wrestles camping (alone) and decided to hike over Big Hump Mountain to the next campsite. His body was very long and had a beautiful face. Forestry rangers say they have spotted several mountain lions in the area. I think there is a reason for that, and the most likely reason IMO is that the animals people are seeing are not mountain lions. Some states, like Arizona and South Dakota, have an open season all year round. Due to an abuse of hunting privileges, the species was completely wiped out. 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! Forestry rangers said several ponies killed , others attcked off 811 near Evington, va. This Fearless Cougar Doesnt Care How Much, Mountain Lion (Cougar) Population by State, Do Mountain Lions Attack Humans? I saw more recently something very large and stocky going into the tall grass, only saw the back end of it and that was at least 3 feet long with a long tail. I have friends in Wyoming and Montana, where mountain lions have always been. There are only quick sightings around town of the large cat known as the mountain lion. HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Its a simple question with very different answers depending on who you ask. Today, a new hybrid known as the coywolf is slowly returning to the state. Bobcats, yellow labs, and feral house cats are all common culprits for mountain lion mis . Definitely not a dog, too big for a cat. My dogs heard it and came running. But these cats are on experts radars, and the TWRA has even established a Cougar Response Committee to answer questions and sift through reported sightingsof which Peterson said he expects to see an influx later in the year. My wife and I have seen two cougars in Patrick County, VA. About 1987 I lived across the river from Holy Cross Monastery. The good news is that because it was right beside the road, others undoubtedly saw it, too, leaving no doubt that it was indeed a mountain lion because it was much too good a view for there to be any doubt of its species. I KNOW ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, WHILE SITTING IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT NEAR PHILPOT DAM(BASSETT) I SAW A BLACK BEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY 11 AM. If theyre still around here, during deer season, Im assuming well get more pictures from trail cameras, he said. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and over, $2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and free for . It was such a chilling sound at 1:30 in the morning. I couldnt find any paw prints. "This photo has been all over the internet and Facebook for the past 18 months or so," said Michael L. Fies, furbearer project leader for the Virginia . http://www.easterncougar.org/ Ben Shrader Bedford, Virginia. Yes, most sightings, if not all of them have to be taken on 100% trust in the person who has it. THAT GOT HIT BY A CAR AND,THE LADY WAS FAILING MENTALLY WITH ALZHEIMERS AND WOULD PUT FOOD OUT ON HER SCREEND IN BACK PORCH LIKE THE DOG WAS STILL THERE. And I am not sure it was a cougar. It was a shame no one was with me because no one believed what a I saw, but I know that is was a black cougar or panther. "At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, thus far and no further. If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour. OK see I read there were mountain lions in a certain large canyon but now Im pretty sure that rumour is to keep other fisherman out. The Locavore Hunter. Bull sharks are one of the few species that can tolerate fresh water, which allows them to flow from ocean to river relatively easily. These felines are quite large. Places that will never see any kind of development. The sad thing is people I know who say theyve seen mtn lions in Botetourt and/or Bedford County, especially raccoon hunters who say their dogs treed a lion, would never come out publicly with such a statement. In comparison, deer are more dangerous. They are back folks here in North Western Virginia, if they ever totally went away at all. The New York Times reported that a cougar killed in Connecticut by car in 2011 was from the Black Hills of South Dakota:6, If a cougar population was e-established in the east, it would pose a risk to backcountry hikers similar to that posed by bears. Many years ago when my dad was just a kid, he was walking home after dark and a large black cat was walking off the dirt road along with him. Then well try to figure out what kind they are and get more evidence.. Its paw was as big as a mans face, & its head with the ears was as wide as his body. He envisions calls from parents, too afraid to send their kids out to the bus stop knowing theres a mountain lion within miles of the area. This Saturday I saw what looked like a mountain lion running up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods. I don't believe any mountain lions are here. I saw a mountain lion, and thats just the way it is, said Marchibroda, a dentist in her 60s living in Afton, Virginia. Because they are lone animals that are not breeding. Victim of animal attack treated for rabies. (Shooting a mountain lion is illegal in Tennessee, given that theres no hunting or trapping season for the animal, but Alan Peterson said the hunter didnt believe hed mortally wounded the animal, and the case has been turned over to a District Attorneys office to determine whether or not the hunter will be charged.). In Dec, 1981 my husband, sons and I were out in the woods on our property target shooting with bows. Virginia's mountain lions were once on the endangered species list and in 2011, they were declared extinct. The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. If it hadnt been the last day of our trip, I would have gone back to look for tracks to possibly photograph! I believe it was 2006 or 2007. My horse just disappeared- we live adjascent to Havens Wildlife Preserve. My guess is that it might have escaped from the zoo on route 522 where they have not native animals and do breeding. Hello For a solid four seconds, Marchibroda watched as a large, sleek cat standing about three feet tall with a long, curled tail crossed Skyline Drive near Gavel Springs Gap less than 100 feet in front of them . There was another report of someone (much less credible) who spotted one near Midway (outside Gate City) about 5 years ago. Without as many wolves around, coyote populations began to thrive and expand eastward. By 2011, U.S. Hey me and my friends go hunting in virginia and theres been some times where we have been hunting and we would here her but it sounds like a female screaming bloody murder and its one of those sounds that makes your hair stand up and if you are tired it will wake you up i personaly know i was hunting in a stand and i saw the hole body but the head it scared the living crap out of me About a month ago I was visiting a local sheep farmer (more gentleman farmer than actual make-money-farming farmer). So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. Sissy. 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. 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. I think its all the same.. But then again, no one would come forward if they killed one because its illegal to kill an endangered species. The only confirmed mountain . "It was around 4 feet long, not including the tail." This normal school was founded by veterans of both the Union and the Confederacy, Concord is named for the ideal of "harmony and sweet . Does anyone know the black bear population in Amelia county? SHE SAID IT WAS THE SAME SIZE AS THE DOBERMAN AND ATE ALL THE FOOD VERY FAST, SHE SAID WHEN IT WAS COLD IT WOULD SLEEP IN THE DOBERMANS BED. The eastern cougar, which occurred in West Virginia, is one of 15 subspecies . Currently, there is only one species of wild cat that lives in Virginia. Yeah there may be a stray young male very occasionally. I didnt even know there were mountain lions in these parts, so I clearly wasnt looking for something like this. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. It was as big or bigger than a german sheppard, but most definitely a cat. According to the rangers, there was an ongoing debate as to whether or not it was an authentic photo. "It ran right in front of my truck a few weeks ago," said Kenneth Basler, a town official who said he saw the large cat around Stevens Pond off Route 23 between Monterey and Great Barrington. I was relating a story about a multiple sighting of a black phase mountain lion just a few miles from town to a friend that had arrived from middle TN. In a small town called Coeburn. They then took the trail that went in the opposite direction of the animal. Then I heard Coyotes doing their eerie little howls. Others, including the park ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical. I havent seen them, but I have worked with folks there at the Smithsonians Conservation Research Center in Front Royal including Bill McShea. as for coyotes they are everywhere. We would sit on our back porch and listen awe struck. I have chickens, belgian mules (not worried about them) and a herd of miniature donkeys but Im far more concerned about marauding bears than a mountain lion. Male cougars have demonstrated their willingness to cross gaps in forested corridors as they search for new territory. And then my second thought was No, maybe not.. Mountain lions are definitely coming to Virginia. SHE WAS OLD LIVED BY HERSELF AND IN A SECLUDED AREA.AND THE KITTY AS SHE CALLED IT WOULD NOT TRY TO GET IN THE HOUSE AND SHE NEVER TRIED TO PET IT IT WOULD RUN IF SHE OPENED THE DOOR BUT SHE COULD SEE IT THROUGH A WINDOW(SCREENED IN BACK PORCH. Its not really realistic to think that they have a chance to survive very well in Virginia currently. Michael said. " By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Now, after a reintroduction that began in 2012, these magical creatures have made their way back. Anyone know where to find a recording of cat sounds 1800s ; however, there arent any wild (... Were declared extinct my guess is that it might have escaped from the zoo on route 522 they... Can do at least two different animals, one that had also escapedoutside of Harrisonburg VA.! Smithsonians Conservation Research Center in front Royal including Bill McShea to talk about uneasy its almost like it someone. Wasnt a very old cat, someone let loose a black jaguar a mountain lion is extinct & also it! Development but we are going to change their minds sure what theyd seen has official... 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