Cats in the Kills

[serotonin]

Although not the Adirondacks, I had a brief encounter w/ a cougar in the Catskills last week.

It was certainly not a bobcat/lynx as it had a long tail and was rather large.
Unfortunately, it was limping on it's hind left and looked a little skinny.

I have no photo to prove it, as I chose not to follow, but I'm glad my friend saw it too.

[jpm8920]

Did you report it to the DEC?

[serotonin]

They told me that I must be mistaken...
That they don't exist.

I said that's cool...
My experience is untrue
because it didn't happen to you.

[serotonin]

I'm yet to report that there's a fat and healthy otter in an ADK lake.
He lives in a great fishing spot.

...I think they'll believe me on this one.

[jpm8920]

That is what I figured. My brother reported a mountian lion sighting in Stamford, in the northern Catskills, and they said the same thing. That is was a bobcat or a deer. My brother saw it from only about 20 yards away. Why can't the DEC at least admit that there might be a chance of these cats being around.

[lumberzac]

That is what I figured. My brother reported a mountian lion sighting in Stamford, in the northern Catskills, and they said the same thing. That is was a bobcat or a deer. My brother saw it from only about 20 yards away. Why can't the DEC at least admit that there might be a chance of these cats being around.

Because then they would have to spend money that they don’t have to protect them.

[jpm8920]

I wish someone or some group (besides the DEC) would compile all of the sightings that happen over a few year period and show that there are way too many reliable sightings for everyone to be wrong. Is there any data that has been kept relating to this?

[redhawk]

They told me that I must be mistaken...
That they don't exist.

I said that's cool...
My experience is untrue
because it didn't happen to you.

Of course they don't exist!! You are referring of course to knowledgable people in the DEC!!

Sorry Scott!! Nothing Personal

[sacco]

Of course they don't exist!! You are referring of course to knowledgable people in the DEC!!

they absolutely do not exist!

[morrell12]

I wish someone or some group (besides the DEC) would compile all of the sightings that happen over a few year period and show that there are way too many reliable sightings for everyone to be wrong. Is there any data that has been kept relating to this?

JPM,

Here is an article you will find interesting. They also have data supporting what they saw. Enjoy!

[jpm8920]

Well I was at my cabin in the Catskills this weekend, and all of the locals in the town I'm in (Margaretville) were buzzing about what happened:

Apparently, a horse was found in Denver Valley dead and half eaten. When the owners were looking into it they found a deeer carcass 20 ft. up in a tree. Apparently the DEC have admitted that this incident was a mountain lion. While I didn't see it, the locals were saying that it was in the paper up there also. Again, most of what I heard is hear-say, but it sounded credible to me.

[Jeff]

Yet they don't exist!

[-ecc]

http://www.easterncougarnet.org/northeast.htm

This site has documentation of sightings in the Northeast including the Adks and Catskills.
ecc

[wildbrookies]

eastern cougar sighting

I was`nt going to post this but,what the heck.

My wife and I were traveling to Manchester,Vermont one early morning about 12 yrs. ago.As we were winding around a bend on Rt.313 outside of Cambridge,Ny.We saw an animal loping towards the road on our right handside.I figured I better slow down as it was still quite dim and the early light was`nt good.I figured it was just a deer and that it would run in front of us and we`d be on our way.But, as the animal took two huge bounds it leapt over the road ten yards in front of us.It had a long tail and sleek looking body.In the lowlight I could`nt see what color it was.It took a few more large strides and leaped up over a 8 foot fence.We just stared at each other in amazement.We both to this day know that this animal was definitely in the large cat family.Being that it had a long tail weeds out Bobcat/Lynx.After years have gone by we have collected a few articles in local papers about sightings similar to ours.Just my 2 cents.

wildbrookies

[Ned Kipperson]

I just posted on the other cougar hysteria thread. The DEC can't just say there are cougars without any physical evidence. It's not like the OJ trial.