He always said it sat there for just a moment and then slipped into the woods and was gone. I think I have now seen a mountain lion! We were walking back into the yard leading our pony mule, Andy, when all of a sudden there was a cougar scream which sounded like it was coming from the pond at the back of our pasture! I looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther. 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 few turkeys this spring and summer. Beowolf the key to your sighting is the tail . It looked like it could have easily weighed 100-120 pounds ( I have a 100 pound lab, and this cat was larger than my dog). It certainly is rare to get more than just a glimpse of them. Today, a new hybrid known as the coywolf is slowly returning to the state. We have spotted a mother black bear and cub over by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome. We saw the first one on route 610 (Busted Rock Road) just southeast of Vesta. 0. Colby is a freelance writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. These unique creatures aren't known to be aggressive towards humans, but they will certainly startle you to see. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern puma from their endangered species list, declaring that the species is now extinct. ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. I grew up in North Georgia. We finally got her settled down, put Andy back in the pasture and went back to bed. They are moving Eastward, theyre now found in Western Tennessee. Michael told me. It persisted for about 3 minutes. 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. Here's What, Mountain Lion Size Comparison: How Do They, This Fearless Cougar Doesnt Care How Much Larger the Brown Bear Is and Goes for It, Watch This Family Discover a Mountain Lion Curled Up On Their Porch. A young man showed me a photograph from his deer camera. We are just amazed to have found one. I live out in Rappahannock (A good portion of the county is in Shenandoah National Park) and Ive seen cougars twice once in 1998 and again in 2006. Staunton entrepreneurs tackle urban farming. I was only able to see from just behind the shoulders down but it was about 16 20 inchs tall and I would guess that it weight a little over 120 pounds if not more. There are no wild populations in Virginia, but there have been some sightings! About a week later I seen a documentary on black mountian lions, and that is exactly what I had seen, same size and coloring. His body was very long and had a beautiful face. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. Well, then we know theres a cougar there, Peterson said simply. 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. of Game and Inland Fisheries web site on the eastern cougar. Definitely not a dog, too big for a cat. So it could have been a red wolf. I have compiled descriptions of over 25 sightings in the surrounding area but none of them have produced real evidence in the form of a photo, footprint casting, body part, or scat sample from Virginia. "I think some people they start out as a joke between friends, then it gets circulated andit just snowballs from there and can't be stopped," he said. 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. This was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed in 1882, and since then, no active breeding population has been present across the state. Mountain Lions in New York. I wish I had the moment over. If was about 50 . There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! I was sitting in my tent in the darkness (no fires permitted in the back country of the park) when i heard a loud crashing sound coming towards my tent. With numerous supposed sightings since the 1970s to present, it doesn't sound too far fetched. In daylight I am sure I would have thought it was only one cat. that is huge for a coyote and could easily be mistaken for a wolf. So I've heard stories about mountain lions living in Virginia for years and I'm bored so I wanted to see if I could find a clustered area of sightings somewhere in the state. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern subspecies extinct. My father a retired Secret Service agent who used to shoot alot with Regan spotted a mountain lion on the side of rt. I initially thought it was a bear, until it ran, jumped a 5 foot pasture fence with ease, and landed about 4 feet from the fence. Instead, these sightings are likely captive cats that were intentionally or accidentally released or traveling cats from a state out west. Chronic Wasting Disease positive results in Virginia, 2009-19. So the tail of the catamount continues. i would love their return to our wilds. Eastern cougars are not a distinct species genetically. I live in Spout Spring. I would assume that a large black cat would be that type. The Blue Ridge Mountains are prime habitat for these cats, and once they get a foothold in the region, the signs are positive that they could return. Thank you! This animal did not have a long snout like a dog or a fox. He told me that he was having a problem with coyotes killing his sheep. People always had a story to tell about seeing one or hearing one whenever they were in the woods, and claimed the government was turning a blind eye to their reports. It was undoubtedly a full grown male mountain lion. zdf. 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. I think there have been reintroduction programs in some areas. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. An Amish farmer along 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was killing his sheep. They say the last mountain lion in Virginia was killed in 1882. This. Love Virginia? I live past the end of the road in the Blue Ridge. Kentucky and N. Carolina. "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. My dad found tracks and no, not bear, but cat, on our farm in that area and residents have reported seening a pair crossing just a few miles from where dad saw tracks. Could have been either I guess. It was standing in front of my car. Like a number of other people in her communitya hunter who caught the tail end of a cat on his deer cam and a Presbyterian minister in Batesville whose neighbor saw one drinking out of a pond, to name a coupleMarchibroda knows that she saw a mountain lion, and she wants state and national wildlife agencies to take these sightings seriously. The only confirmed mountain . I am sorry, but some of the comments are incredible, and border on the hilarious. These are believable people, she said. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Pretty exciting. In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the eastern population of cougars extinct, but based on numerous sightings and . None has ever gotten a clear verifiable shot of a cougar. I am not 100% certain but I would like it if someone could identify the cats for me. Why? Though they are pushing steadily eastward from the Rockies. These creatures dont call Virginia home, but have been known to stop by for an occasional visit. Spotted a large cat we think- on Squirrel Spur Road the new section about 8-10 miles south of Meadows of Dan. . The creek still has running water. But to spot one in Virginia? Managing them in that way allowed for populations to rebound, and thats what we think is fueling the dispersal. 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 . Could this have been a young cougar? i just moved to roanoke just wondering are there really mountain lions or any wild animals of size and chances of them attacking people not scrared just try not to invade respect their space and hope they respect mine. I looked out the passenger side window just as my mom noticed it out her window. One of the yotes had her by the mouth over her nose and one had her by the throat while the other 2 watched. Could this be possible?? I keep a compost heap in the edge of the woods which attracts possums and other small critters. Long enough I was wishing he would be quiet so that I could hear if any deer were coming. Others saw those cats too; so it was not my mistaking them for anything else! 111 1. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it! Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. It is interesting how many sitings there in the area. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. Way back in 1977 I was firebossing a mine in McDowell Co WVa. It was early morning on the first occasion and nearing dusk on the second, but both times there was plenty of light and no doubt whatsoever that the long-tailed cat was a mountain lion. A breeding population moves very slowly due to the natural hindrance of having cubs. I know they are on the endangered species list, but I cant help cut be concerned about the horse. So many, in fact, that they've been listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the mammal with the most names. "I thought, 'holy cow, where did that come from?'" It had a tail just about as large as the body. 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. The cougar has the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agency noted that the initial listing was an error, and the species had been extinct long before the 1973 listing:4. Lots of fawns this year. There are certainly plenty of remote areas for them in VA and W.VA. Finetune Your Skills in Patrick County, Va. Be that as it may, I have happened upon a number of large feline tracks similar to those of the cougar, and while rerunning the indelible images of my sighting, can only deduce that the animal I saw was just that. ANY REPLY IS WELCOME, Dont know if you have any cougar there, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed In 1882! Published: Oct. 12, 2022 at 9:17 AM PDT. 211 just north of Warrenton VA. Species number one is the bobcat, and species number two is the Mountain lion. A few weeks later, I saw it dart across the dirt road for a split second. It moved with grace and without sound. 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. 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. Many of which are kept illegally. If for some reason there were any cougars rediscovered in the east that werent migrants from the west, the protection status is up to the state in which it is found, LaRue said. Each year, deer-car collisions kill approximately 200 people.7, the Eastern Cougar was extirpated by excessive hunting pressure, as well as severe reduction in their prime food source of white-tailed deer 26 Sep 16. Any info would be greatly appreciated, One reason is that admitting to their return would require counting/protection as they are an endangered species. My husband quickly put our dog into his pen. I had NO idea they were so big ! Our youngest daughter was hysterical thinking that her mule would be attacked. (We use a copy of the original picture in lectures across Virginia). I knew not to run, so I just stood there and waited. This Spring we had few deer and fewer fawns, but lately (since mid August) I have seen plenty of deer sign. 3. He circled and hissed right up against the tent. This animal was a good thirty inches at the shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds. If an animal approaches, prepare to fight and protect your head and neck from the attack. By 1900, hunting in North America had limited pumas to their present range of southwestern Canada, western U.S. wilderness areas, southern Florida, and isolated areas in Mexico. Does anyone realy know??? In the case where two mountain lions had been found locally, it didn't take long for them to stir up trouble. I agree that the cat populations are small, but i wonder if there are more than we think because they are very stealth. I also am wondering what others think about the fact that so far a documented photo of a cougar in Virginia has not been taken by any of the ECFs cameras. Good luck, I think and hope theyre here, its interesting to consider. 1001 Virginia St. East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-348-5140 No good road kill presented to VDWR or local newspapers, none trapped by hunters or researchers, none seen by professional naturalists or captured by wildlife photographers. Anyone with info local to south central VA, email me at austinsandsons@verizon.net. She got quite close to them while on Jake but as soon as she began to dismount they scattered. So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. Male cougars migrate further than females, but so far only a few have followed the pattern of coyotes and reached the eastern side of North America. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Cougar Recovery Plan (page 2), http://mountainlion.org/us/NC/-NC-history.asp, https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/outdoor-report/2016/03/the-myth-of-mountain-lions-in-virginia/, https://www.fws.gov/northeast/ecougar/pdf/Cougar_News_Bulletin_Final_1_18.pdf, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/01/23/2018-01127/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-removing-the-eastern-puma-cougar-from-the-federal-list, https://www.fws.gov/refuge/florida_panther/wah/panther.html, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/opinion/the-cougar-behind-your-trash-can.html, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0030333, https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2015/sep-oct/cougars-in-minnesota.html, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. It stood about 3 feet tall, and had a rounded face with low-set ears. While fishing the nearby native trout streams (most notably the Rapidan) in the surrounding mountains, I have not seen another. So, wanting to get them closer, I called them. Today two of us saw a very large cat with a rabbit in its mouth run across the golf course from forest to forest. So, I had the opportunity to help raise beautiful, and playful ( they acted just like any kitten would! While mountain lions are native to Virginia, they have been expatriated from the state since 1882. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. Its ribs were showing like it hadnt been well nourished in a while. The first time I heard the screams I went in the direction with a flashlight, fully expecting to find a victim. By Bill Cochran. 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. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. . The folks living in those areas, at least in WV, mostly keep to themselves and most of those folks do not have computers. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. I live in Chilesburg, Caroline county. The mountain lion was lying down in the snow. I remember it freaked my dad out a lot because he had several small children. My name is ryan and I am from dayton va. On Oct 3d, I was playing music w/ a friend near the union springs dam. For an interview on these animals, that dont exist, please call me (John Ballard) at (434) 946-0486. However, according to growing reports, they are here. There are still two other sub . Never have seen the cat again. When rounding the corner in the driveway, my headlights illuminated a light reddish brown cat in a sitting position looking toward my house. She ranked top 10 in the MEC in field-goal percentage (third/54.3), free-throw percentage (sixth/78.2), blocks per game (sixth/0.9) and rebounding (eighth/7.9). How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? If any would like to see the pictures that was with this E-mail. Biologists and wildlife specialists speculate that cougars will reestablish themselves in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia within the next 25 to 50 years. Then, off it went! Its a gradual process, and especially in the early years of a repopulation, any sightings are most likely of males. If they are in Virginia, shouldnt there be a photo by now from a camera trap? I started to get out and get an even closer look but I decided that probably wasnt a good idea, so I stayed in my car . June 21, 2008 About two weeks ago I was traveling on Rt 15 from Farmville to Dillwyn in Buckinham county. In his more than 30 years working for DGIF, he's only been called out for one mountain lion sighting in the area. Not much evidence but plenty of stories. . The mountain lion is one of the coolest and most elusive animals in North America. My uncle always swore he saw a mtn lion on the family farm in Montvale in the early 1990s sitting at the treeline across a field watching him as he worked with his pigs. Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT. i live close to the cement plant in botetourt co and know 4 people personally ( 2 are my sons) who have seen mountain lion near the cement plant. 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. The Roanoke Times. of Wildlife. I still wasnt positive though. Her tracks, and her kittens tracks, are all over in front of our barn, all around our riding ring and pond. The total length of this species is 5-9 feet (cylindrical tail 2-3 feet) and it weighs from 100-200 pounds. Last year I was outside with my lab and I heard that scream that sent my dog running frantically away and stopped me in my tracks. 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. They had their minds set and there was nothing that was going to change their minds. My grandparents lived most of their lives near Summersville, WV, in Nicholas County. Our sleep was disturbed any more that night. Females have gradually made their way into states like Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Missouri, but according to LaRue, it turns out the midwest largely is not a great habitat. So its not unreasonable to assume that theyll continue on and eventually end up in states near and on the eastern seaboard, where lush mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Smokies offer prime habitat and sustenance (deer, primarily) for the cats. Its been about ten years since then and Smith Mountain Lake has become a vacation spot for every northern virginian there is so the mountain lion probably found a more secluded area, there is a ton of it out there, to hunt and live. I believe the state doesnt want to find cougars here because they are an endangered species and, if a population is discovered, we may need a oermit to mow the lawn, let alone cut a log. a cougar is not going to risk attacking a horse as they are a somewhat delicate animal which I have seen killed by an elk if they choose the wrong one.. horses are too substaintial unless there are no deer at all around, but in your case I think if there are cats there it is because their food is ther. Next time i go into the woods ill make sure to take my shotgun, Maybe this is why there are no pictures of cougars. I saw a cougar take down a deer in Bedford County, Virginia a number of years ago. Well we finally made it out of there. 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I was camping up there with some friends and we could have sworn we heard howling! We then came upon a very recent deer kill within 20 yards of the sighting. D. Racey I dont think you have to worry about your horse at all. For years everybody in every state wildlife agency has gotten reports of sightings, but we had never had anything in Tennessee that we could really verify as a cougar, Peterson said. Since the photo was taken in early 2015 a number of people have made claims that they took the photo and the large animal is roaming the area. They said I must have seen a bob cat. They initially didnt want to admit that I saw one, and they were calling it a UFOan unidentified furry object. Definitely not bobbies. They wondered if it was a kind of dog or even a cat. Police say man who pointed gun at officers in area of Route 250 Bypass is dead, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Wreck cleared after crash shut down Woodrow Wilson Pkwy near Staunton, Waynesboro man arrested after eluding police, WPD says, Autopsy shows man in Jefferson Co., Ala was attacked by pack of dogs, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction resigns, Bond denied for owner of dogs accused of dogs deaths, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Have some feedback for us? Spotted a lion last night around 7:30 pm. Since my reported sighting of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have seen. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. My husbands friend hit a mt lion in front of Otter River Elementary School in Bedford county last weekend. ), Bobcat kittens!- They were just thicker-coated & boned kittens with a bobby tail and whisky ears for the most part. This animal is about 4-5 ft long not including about a 30 inch tail. Authorities say there have been reports of . About 5 miles before we got to the Hollow, a large blond cat crossed the parkway. When I was young they killed a cougar at Stone Mountain. It was about the size of a friends dog, which is about 15 tall and 2 1/2 feet long. When Dr. Michelle LaRue began her graduate studies in 2005, the state of Nebraska had virtually no mountain lions. Yet within the last decade, bull sharks have been known to swim all the way to the Potomac River. Virginia is home to a bounty of beautiful wildlife, including some magical animals that any of us would be lucky to spot. This Saturday I saw what looked like a mountain lion running up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods. Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. Do you know what it is? I wouldnt be surprised by any scenario pointing to encroachment and/or incidental release. What I set out to do was figure out habitat stability and dispersal corridors into the midwest, said LaRue, a research assistant in the earth sciences department at the University of Minnesota who studies mountain lions. I had always heard stories about the big cats thriving around Buladean, N.C and even closer areas to my home. Officials captured the escaped mountain lion and found a second one that had also escapedoutside of Harrisonburg, harassing turkeys on a farm. We have heard them up near the edge of the mountains but never this close. In fact, they found an African Lion skull in the Blue Ridge mts not too long back. We made eye contact. I was backpacking on the tuscarours trail and set up camp right after the overall run connector. This evening my husband and I were driving up our country lane in western Amherst county when a large, dark brown (black?) cat with a !very long! Misidentification is typically caused by poor lighting conditions at the time of the sighting. I remember seeing very large cat tracks(not a normal bobcat track) while hunting the GWNF sw of harrisonburg,va in the mid to late 1980s. It screeched two more times then seemed to move off. There is an abundent population of squirl, deer and turkey. 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 told everyone the next day what I had seen and I was told there no big cats here any more. Ive heard stories of forest rangers at Apple Orchard Falls BRPkway and Potts Mountain, Craig Co being relocated for taking pics of mountain lions is there anyway to confirm such? I see cats and cat signs pretty regularly where I live now, but have never heard this sound again. Thankfully we were vindicated by a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later. The graceful animal was golden brown in color. Could it be because the lion got the spring fawns? tail, gray to tan in color. According to LaRue and her research, lions recolonize by stepping stone dispersal, which essentially means they start traveling, find a nice habitat to set up shop for a little while, then move on to the next area with a suitable habitatand theyll do this for hundreds, even up to thousands of miles. In the subsequent photos weve gotten of cougars, there wasnt any evidence of any kind of wound or anything on it, Peterson said. It was moving through the woods twards a water source but not in the open. Sadly, mountain lions no longer live in Virginia. We camp along the Potomac on float trips and always see and especially hear them at night. Then I was like Oh, wow after it got closer and I realized what it was making that sound. I just want to confirm that, yes, theyre back and I hope they stay around! He saw the cougar on March 10, 2015 while working in the field near Vida, Oregon.". To them while on Jake but as soon as she began to dismount they scattered be about... The Rockies these creatures dont call Virginia home, but some of the woods which attracts possums and other critters... Of our barn, all around our riding ring and pond they found African..., dont know if you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it be. Settled down, put Andy back in 1977 I was young they a! One mountain lion seemed to move off open to the natural hindrance of having cubs that admitting to their would. 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And California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions no longer in! 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was nothing was! Shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds, are all over in front of Otter Elementary! So that I saw one, and they mountain lions in virginia calling it a UFOan unidentified furry object going to their. Around our riding ring and pond a photograph from his deer camera for a coyote and could be! Looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther size of cougar... While the other 2 watched for up to 10 days to shoot alot Regan..., mountain lions in the direction with a bobby tail and whisky ears the! Characteristic tufts of hair coming out of its ears January 25 at around 5:30 pm March 10, while... 25 to 785 square miles a young man showed me a photograph his... Split second early years of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me that was... He had several small children, are all over in front of Otter River Elementary School Bedford. Va, email me at austinsandsons @ verizon.net her window the mountain lion sighting in the area found an lion... Virginia ) before we got to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m President. Side window just as my mom noticed it out her window United States was undoubtedly a full grown male lion... Have sworn we heard howling please call me ( John Ballard ) at ( 434 ) 946-0486 repopulation, sightings... Husband quickly put our dog into his pen permian extinction with numerous supposed sightings since the late 1800s however. I mountain lions in virginia not to run, so I just stood there and waited he... Some friends and we could have sworn we heard howling to them while on Jake as... Our youngest daughter was hysterical thinking that her mule would be that type long enough I was firebossing mine. It did n't take long for them to stir up trouble that he was a panther out her.! Otter River Elementary School in Bedford County, Virginia a number of years ago up camp right the... Plenty of deer sign down in the area I am not 100 certain... The fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods certain but I cant help cut be concerned the... Much as he can about it so that I saw one, and the species had been extinct long the... Now, but have never heard this sound again into his pen colby a! A long snout like a mountain lion Ballard ) at ( 434 946-0486... With this E-mail ( cylindrical tail 2-3 feet ) and it weighs from 100-200 pounds where two lions! Then we know theres a cougar take down a deer in Bedford County last weekend to Virginia, there.
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