[bohunr]

LINK:


http://www.goerie.com/article/20121229/OPINION08/312299995/Guest-voice:-Are-there-cougars-in-our-region?


TWO QUOTES:


I first noticed apparent mountain lion tracks a few years ago on the Game Lands 29 road. This game land covers some 9,000 acres south of Warren and is located within the Allegheny National Forest. The road parallels the West Branch of Tionesta Creek and ends close to Hearts Content, a 120-acre remnant of the white pine and beech forest that once covered the region.

AND

Until just this year, I thought that what few cougars might be in the general area could be confined to this appealing Game Lands 29 location. However, this past summer while biking in Game Lands 86, which covers some 14,000 acres and runs along the east bank of the Allegheny River south of Warren, I came across more prints as well as scat.


State GAme lands 29 and 86 seem to be the areas mentioned, we now have snow on the ground, go get em...

 

[timberdoodle]

<span style="font-style: italic">But the signs I have noted of the solitary, nocturnal creatures have been unmistakable. These signs have been encountered in relatively remote locations difficult to imagine as the habitat of released pets.



Hikers or hunters would not encounter the signs I have. Hikers trod mostly hard surface trails, while hunters walk leafy surfaces. In neither case would they notice animal signs.
</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold"> But a person riding a mountain bike on Game Commission service roads, a pastime I have enjoyed for a number of years, would notice such signs. To avoid spills, a mountain biker must watch out for muddy or sandy spots, and these are where animal tracks are apparent. </span>

Now how is that for logic??? A hunter or hiker wouldn't notice mountain lion tracks on a gamelands road..only a mountain biker would see those ... no mud holes or spring seeps or soft sandy mud along streams... No tracks in the snow...

 

[Dale Sholder]

SHHH new breed they only leave fotprints and scat where mt. bikers can see them.

 

[Pa-Guy]

He should have saved the scat and had it DNA tested.
Just for the record, the US Fish and Wildlife Service delisted (extinct) the "eastern cougar", (the one that lived here years ago), not the eastern mountain lion, as he mentioned.

 

[buckmasters243]

"In recognition of the beauty of the location, this road (which runs six miles from Chapman State Park to the Hearts Content Road) is now being converted by the Game Commission into a proper biking trail in a $500,000 project. A wide corridor has been brushed out, culverts installed and fill material spread over soggy places. Crushed limestone will cover the trail's surface."



Since when do we need $500,000 bike trails?

 

[troutbert]

He probably saw bobcat sign. There are plenty of those around.

 

[TusseyMtMan]

Cougars have been known to attack mt bikers from behind. This guy is lucky to be alive, mountain biking in high cougar density areas and all...
The PGC is putting gravel on the trail to hide the cougar tracks. Duh.

 

[GIE]

I did not know cougars were like that!!!

 

[sparkchaser]

Wow, that explains the Lycra I found in the scat that I found!

 

[TusseyMtMan]

Complete with make-up, too tight jeans, and heavy doses of perfume. They are really bad around hotel bars, especially the eastern variety, which the guy who has the big keys in his photo made reference to.
Never give your keys to a cougar.

 

[jimsdad]

And just where would these hotel bars be that you speak of? I would like to know so that I give them a wide berth.

 

[gharner]

In all seriousness I don't understand why some people seem to insist that there are cougars around. While hiking last winter a man approached me on some sgl's and told me about all the cougars and cougar sign he and the neighbors have been seeing. I think its possible yes. I think a wild mt. lion will eventually find its way into the state, just look at the young male that found his way to Connecticut. I don't believe however that we have a population of the critters. The people that find tracks and want to prove they're around...call up a local hounds man and get the thing treed!

 

[yellodog]

a coincidence that these sighting were on GAME COMMISION property? i think not....

 

[eyefromthesky]

Good grief!

There's a better chance of seeing the Great Pumpkin rise out of that 120-acre remnant of white pine and beech forest.

 

[GIE]

If ya would have said seeing a white monkey eating grapes out of a pumpkin I could have helped you out.

 

[eyefromthesky]

I'm just not thinking clearly tonight. Please accept my sincerest apologies.

 

[Shooter X]

Complete with make-up, too tight jeans, and heavy doses of perfume. They are really bad around hotel bars, especially the eastern variety, which the guy who has the big keys in his photo made reference to.
Never give your keys to a cougar. [/quo


....

 

[Jayden41]

Don't believe theres a mt.lion anywhere in this state.With snow cover it would be impossible for them to go undetected.unless they're a new breed that jumps tree to tree
I do see it possible that one could cruise thru here though.But, whats it going to eat.We all know there are no deer left and thats whats on thier menu.Bigfoot, now thats a different story.After watching that tv show on animal planet, I'm convinced those things are everywhere;lol

 

[timberdoodle]

If ya would have said seeing a white monkey eating grapes out of a pumpkin I could have helped you out.

Didn't Dingo take that picture here in Pa?????

 

[GIE]

Yes, yes he did.

He also captured the mountain lion pic. Not sure why he wanted me to post it though.