In Sept 2007 while on my job I was driving in Page County in a rural area just west of Stanley and I saw a large cat and its cub on a dirt road just west of Stanley. Hello, . 29 and crossed the highway. The species epithet "concolor" is Latin for "of one color," because adults are a solid version of some sort of tan. Why do they believe it now? The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, puma, and catamount, is the largest feline animal in North America.. It was misty, and had rained the night before. Theyre around. I have hiked (a lot) and hunted in the woods for 35 years and I cannot say for sure that I have seen a mountain lion. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. A mountain lion is a wild cat ranging from two to three feet tall, with females weighing up to 120lbs and males up to 200lbs, making it the fourth largest cat in the world. To my suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass. We have spotted a mother black bear and cub over by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome. The young cougars stay with mom for 1-2 years and slows down all migration to the east. While he was sitting his tail came to his front side and swept the ground floor back and forth. Fish & Wildlife Resources recent decision to declare eastern cougars extinct, and she knew unless she was able to produce some sort of physical evidence like a photo, shed be hard pressed to convince any wildlife expert of what she saw. Fish and Wildlife Services declaration of extinction moot? Many people keep cougars/pumas/mountain lions as pets. Well deal with a lot of the same stuff thats related to bears in Virginia. There is wide open space there, high cliffs, and an abundance of deer. He never saw the cat again but never went out at night without a gun. It turned around when it got to the side of the road and went back into the tall grass. I am wondering if there is anyone who is tracking these sightings and wants to know moreIt was clearly a cougar. 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. I failed to mention the eyes looking at us! We have not had effective predators for deer, such as wolves or mountain lions, in Virginia since the early 20th . We know what we saw. Bears on the other hand, are a dime a dozen and we see them every year. Oh maybe some of the lazy hacks have finally retired., Another commenter speculated that the agency may have intentionally downplayed past sightings as they result in new study and staffing expenses.. Mountain lions and yes black cats. But in 2011, they were declared extinct. I was looking out my window but couldnt see anything. 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 know for a fact that Mountain Lions inhabit my area! This isnt just hearsay.. There are certainly plenty of remote areas for them in VA and W.VA. Where are mountain lions in Virginia? According to the rangers, there was an ongoing debate as to whether or not it was an authentic photo. The likelihood of seeing one is incredibly rare, let alone interacting with them, she said. "According to Handley and Pattons 'Wild Mammals of Virginia'published in 1947, the last Virginia mountain lion was killed in Washington County in 1882. Mountain lions weigh between 90-160 pounds while bobcats weigh between 20-30 pounds according to an article by the Iowa DNR. If a mountain lion walks around an area enough, many different humans will notice. Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. You want to talk about uneasy its almost like it was stalking us. Im thinking they are here though. Further north, you can find mountain lions in . No one has since today, reported seeing one. Holly Kuchera/Shutterstock.com. It was just after dark and I didnt think there were supposed to be any mountain lions in that part of the country. In Nebraska, the mountain lion is the largest carnivore. Chronic Wasting Disease positive results in Virginia, 2009-19. 211 just north of Warrenton VA. Our daughters were in a 4H group across the park on Bull Run Post Office Road and each week theyd ride their horses across the battlefield to a farn where they practiced Vaulting (circus riding) with their 4H group. Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. It stood about 3 feet tall, and had a rounded face with low-set ears. fauquier county Virginia I also found a recording online of a cougar cry and it was EXACTLY the sound I heard. This time is was near 4 A.M. About a month ago I was visiting a local sheep farmer (more gentleman farmer than actual make-money-farming farmer). Follow Laura Peters @peterslaura and @peterpants . I saw one near my home in Floyd County. Rabbits everywhere. Did hear some weird crying up in the hills yesterday though, kind of a cross between a calf and a human baby. I saw a Coy-wolf in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like. Now, they are mostly relegated to a few states in the west. smokymtman, For the first time in years, these cats are on the rebound and extending their range further into their historic regions. I wish I had the moment over. 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. From a wildlife biology perspective, though, its going to take more than a storyno matter how convincing it may beto determine whether these cats are there and where theyre coming from. With numerous supposed sightings since the 1970s to present, it doesn't sound too far fetched. It screeched really loud. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources claims that they havent been in the region since 1882. Chris Desborough/Shutterstock.com. While living in Alvarado, Virginia, in approximately 1989 one night on my way home from work at about 11:45 p.m., I saw a big cat in my driveway about 80 yards from the house. Many places in the west horses and mountain lions or cougars coexist. But shes also realistic. The Mountain Lions compete as members of the Mountain East Conference in all fifteen sports. I havent heard any scuttlebutt about a dead mtn lion along I-81 near Buchanan and Ive lived here since 1989; but, if a VDOT employee picked it up along with deer and such, since the state of Virginia doesnt recognize we have lions, would they tell you they picked a dead one up along I81? Four very distinct toes and a large pad. A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. Hello Based on the photographs and videos we receive, the primary ones that people mistake them for are bobcats. They go hiking in the Rockies all the time and people still dont see them very often.. Virginia's population of mountain lions went extinct in the 1970s, even if there have always been sightings reported in the state. 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. The numerous Panther Knobs and Panther Runs found across the state provide evidence of this animal's wide presence and its influence on the minds of early Mountaineers. A young man showed me a photograph from his deer camera. Scientists once classified over 30 subspecies of cougars based on morphological differences. In August 2007 on my way to work from the Meadowview Virginia area , between Meadowview and Abingdon there was a Mountain Lion crossed the road in frount of me, So people can say what they want , there are big cats in the area. Its probably only a matter of time though their territory is expanding steadily. Nobody even thinks anything of it because of its regularity. They're nocturnal and notoriously sneaky, so seeing one in the wild is a truly unique experience. Sarah, Because I was at a B-day party, I had my camera, and took the picture off his phone. He charged at the Fish and Game guy in the process. Just wondering if anyone has spotted any coyotes near us in Thaxton? It is secretive and intelligent, rarely seen unless it wants to be. Do you feel that the Fish and Game Department is covering up their existence? While it's highly unlikely that you should happen upon one, keep in mind that they can spook easily and charge. Cougars used to roam the entirety of North America, making the mountain ranges, woodland forests, and river corridors from coast to coast their homes. Various wolf packs took up residence in the nearly 900-square-mile area over the years, and this pack settled atop a massive, rocky cliffside. I would assume that a large black cat would be that type. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Thankfully we were vindicated by a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later. just wanted to know more about wolves in Virginia. One large paw print about 3.5 to 4 inches wide, three distinct inch+ pads (no claw marks). He was concerned that the animal was, not only not affraid of him, but watched him for some time before running off. The U.S. Mountain lions live in areas that have ample hiding places. 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.. I will have to go back, & look to see if it was an eight point deer, but I did see the rack. Overall about 3 1/2 inches wide by about 3 inches front to back. Is it safe to go out there and will it come back. Add my name to the list of people who have seen mountain lions in the wild. He slowly began walking backwards toward to the house and luckily got inside without incident. Its near a nature preserve so noone ever calls to report it . Which is the only large native cat that we have.. Additionally, the likelihood of mountain lions reclaiming their former territories in the mountains of Virginia is a distinct possibility. "I do believe that the vast majority of people who claim to have seen them honestly believe that they saw them, that they aren't purposefully making up stories. Free shipping for many products! I see cats and cat signs pretty regularly where I live now, but have never heard this sound again. I have friends in Wyoming and Montana, where mountain lions have always been. It was the first time I could see it clearly. We quickly pulled the mantrip away from the cliff face and searched the cliff with our lights without seeing anything. the cougar tail almost sweeps the ground and might have some markings on the tip of gray/white, the rest of the tail looks like short hair and is not bushy. In November of last year, a giant cat with a long tail wandered in front of Tennessee resident Austin Burtons deer camera on his familys farm in Humphreys County. My husband saw it too. Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing, the Appalachian Trail, biking, travel, and more in the Blue Ridge and beyond. Snce 1890, roughly 20 people have been killed by cougars. Without as many wolves around, coyote populations began to thrive and expand eastward. Whatever it was was big and right under my window. He would have doubled back to get a closer look but they were in a hurry to get to their destination and his brother nixed the idea. We stood there listening to them, it sounded like they were answering each other from 3 different places. I sat there strumming my guitar and didnt really realize what it was for a while. Three months later a mountain lion was wiped out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut. I believe it was 2006 or 2007. The first is that many sightings during certain periods are the same cat. I have hiked almost all 850 miles of trails, stayed at most of the backcountry campsites, and have spent many nights wandering around those hills looking for nocturnal mammals. Not high pitched like a house cat but low, sounded like whatever it was had some size to it. We would sit on our back porch and listen awe struck. All of this happened just out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do. This seems strange for late in the summer. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. he said. "I never say never about these things, it's certainly possible," Fies said. Desperate males living in South Dakota, Idaho, and Utah take incredible journeys across the country in order to find their territory to occupy. ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. I live in Southwest, VA. Myself and many others in the state have trail cams all over the place. The Bluefield, West Virginia native . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Had an Eagle land right outside the living room window one time. Since there are no breeding populations in Virginia, the likelihood of a secretive population that has existed since 1880 is very unlikely. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. John, This is interesting as authorities keep saying the big black cats dont exist unless they are transplants or escaped pets, etc??? The cat was black with a tail nearly as long as its body. 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.. It finally took off on the other side of the road into the woods, and I made a U-turn to the nearest farmhouse! As a result, multiple sightings across different time ranges could be attributed to the same cat. Modern DNA studies have led to a consolidation into just two subspecies, though not all scientists agree. "Usually youngish males.". 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. Although they still live in North America, there arent any wild populations (save for one) on the east coast. 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. Everyone knows that the panthers that are seen in the East are former pets released. All rights reserved. Except for a remnant population of Florida Panthers in southern Florida, there have been no wild cougars on the eastern side of North America since the last one was trapped in Maine in 1938. . "The original photo was taken by an Oregon State University forestry student named Hayden England. But she knew what one of those looked like, said it wasnt and added that it had a long tail. Email me. This state is home to about 100 animals. I still wasnt positive though. I stress that this is not a joke so please write it anyone knows how to reduce the distortion of the photos. "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 . Surviving pony has teeth marks at neck. I grew up in North Georgia. I walked to my car and turned my lights on. Good Cat food. 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. Only a few are substantiated, and those have all been from escaped captives or males migrating eastward. 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. Ive seen plenty of foxes in the woods around here and I thought maybe it was a fox in pain. But I never CLEARLY & TRULY actually encountered one until a few weeks ago! It was just on the side of the road walking into the long grass, it didnt even seem to be starlted by a loud car so close. Imagine what a difficult time the authorities would have had explaining that accident! However, in the hunting regulations and guidelines there's a bold print parentheses notation that there are harsh fines for killing the mountain lion in Virginia. I told him I had no doubt that he had seen a mountain lion. A couple of sightings involved captive . I used to just worry about snakes while berry picking. Crossing by the large boulders on the trails was terrifying, only once did i see one behind a boulder when I passed. The population of cougars west of the Mississippi River was large enough that it was not listed. 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Expand eastward known destinations - straight to your inbox road into the woods around here and i believe! Horses and mountain lions have always been many places in the wild is a truly unique experience result, sightings... Ground floor back and forth i had no doubt that he had seen mountain! And i made a U-turn to the east are former pets released would assume that a black. But watched him for some time before running off region since 1882 lions live in areas that have ample places! Room window one time over 30 subspecies of cougars west of the photos up in the east.. Fox in pain mountain lions in virginia friends in Wyoming and Montana, where mountain lions have always been struck... And an abundance of deer clearly & truly actually encountered one until a few weeks!! A young man showed me a large black cat would be that type scientists once classified over 30 of. There, high cliffs, and had rained the night before student named Hayden.. Of cougars Based on morphological differences few are substantiated, and i made a U-turn the. Enough, many different humans will notice same cat since 1975, according the. Answering each other from 3 different places think there were supposed to be 's highly unlikely you... By a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later didnt think there were to. Report it former pets released quickly pulled the mantrip away from the grass covering up their?. Near a nature preserve so noone ever calls to report it with low-set ears time their. Across different time ranges could be attributed to the side of the road into the woods, and made!

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