We have a new neighbor.....

[Gofirstclass]

We live in a relatively small subdivision in a relatively quiet area of Pasco, WA. Our house is about 150 yards from the Columbia River, the banks of which are mostly a brushy area with several trees along the way. When I was in AZ the first week of Jan I missed all of the 6" of snow. That doesn't sound like much but it's a lot for our area.

Every morning I take my dog for our walk along the river. There's a well-worn foot path that parallels the river and it's his choice if we go upstream or downstream. Well last weekend it was still cold and the snow was not melting much. In the snow I saw a HUGE print that looked like a dog print but was much larger. A neighbor had also seen the print, photo'd it and sent it to Fish & Game. They verified it as a cougar, likely a mature male. He said it was definitely a cougar because you can't see the toenails. Apparently that's a cougar trait.

So, welcome to the hood Mr. Cougar. Now I stick a gun in my pocket when I walk the dog.

 

[Woody]

At least it isn't a pack of wolves. They'd eat your dog while you're holding the other end of the leash.

 

[Pirate Lady]

We live in a relatively small subdivision in a relatively quiet area of Pasco, WA. Our house is about 150 yards from the Columbia River, the banks of which are mostly a brushy area with several trees along the way. When I was in AZ the first week of Jan I missed all of the 6" of snow. That doesn't sound like much but it's a lot for our area.

Every morning I take my dog for our walk along the river. There's a well-worn foot path that parallels the river and it's his choice if we go upstream or downstream. Well last weekend it was still cold and the snow was not melting much. In the snow I saw a HUGE print that looked like a dog print but was much larger. A neighbor had also seen the print, photo'd it and sent it to Fish & Game. They verified it as a cougar, likely a mature male. He said it was definitely a cougar because you can't see the toenails. Apparently that's a cougar trait.

View attachment 118376

So, welcome to the hood Mr. Cougar. Now I stick a gun in my pocket when I walk the dog.

 

[blaster]

Put out some catnip for him.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

While in Florida, we'd have to look out for black bears. We had a "regular" that would come in the sub. He knew to cruise through on garbage night. He'd have picnics in the driveways then take a nap on porches. Unless they attack someone Florida wildlife won't trap them. And of course, you needed to look out for gators along the edges of water...

 

[dwna1a]

Here kitty kitty

 

[JHornsby3]

All cats retract their nails. If there is more than a few folks living around you, they might trap it and relocate. At least it's not one of the other types of cougars. Then you would have loud vehicles around all the time

 

[copb8tx]

At least it's not one of the other types of cougars. Then you would have loud vehicles around all the time

Or another even more dangerous type of cougar where you end up losing half of all your stuff....

 

[sbw1]

Our son has a home in Incline Village with a web cam pointed at their patio. I am amazed at the number of huge bears and the number of coyotes that wander around his house on a very regular basis. Coyotes are year round and the bears are almost daily until the hibernate. The thing you have to be concerned about with Cougars is they generally do not have a great fear of humans. We have them in Michigan and pay attention to tree limbs overhanging our hiking trails. They lay on branches until something good to eat comes along and then drop in for a visit.

 

[Creekwood]

Mike, if you ever have a feeling you are being watched, you might want to have that gun close at hand. I know a few people living in BC and Alberta that have been stalked by cougars and they say that with hindsight, they felt like they were being watched before they actually heard or saw anything. I think its probably some deep down instinctive sense locked in our DNA from when we were apes (apologies to any fundamentalists that don't believe in evolution. Evolution for most people. For some, I think they actually may support that evolution is not real LOL)

 

[JHornsby3]

Or another even more dangerous type of cougar where you end up losing half of all your stuff....

That's not a cougar. That is a gold digger.

 

[wyrman]

Cougars are common in our area Mike.

 

[OllieC]

Here’s a kitty we just got yesterday here in Mehico. We saw a few cougar tracks as well.

 

[blaster]

Here’s a kitty we just got yesterday here in Mehico. We saw a few cougar tracks as well.

View attachment 118570

Have fun down there.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Here’s a kitty we just got yesterday here in Mehico. We saw a few cougar tracks as well.

View attachment 118570

Cute little kitty. When you say got did you mean acquire or shot?

 

[JHornsby3]

Cute little kitty. When you say got did you mean acquire or shot?

Judging by the look on it's face and all, I would say shot.

Oh and if you plan to make tacos out of it, cook it longer than normal. Helps take the stringyness from the meat. But very good eating.

 

[OllieC]

Cute little kitty. When you say got did you mean acquire or shot?

Dang it!! You had to go there GFC No, one in our group did. I missed a 115 Couse Deer at 400 yesterday. We head back today.