Now, after a reintroduction that began in 2012, these magical creatures have made their way back. A little more certain, I took a kodak camera along and started taking pictures. Every year there were a few here and there.. It isnt certain, but some researchers claim that there could be native cougar populations across the Blue Ridge in as little as 25-30 years. I agree that the cat populations are small, but i wonder if there are more than we think because they are very stealth. What about the fact no roadkill is ever claimed to be found of a cougar? The young cougars stay with mom for 1-2 years and slows down all migration to the east. It really burns me up to hear so called experts say that there are no mountain lions or even wolves for that matter in VA. About 10-12 years ago, there was a pretty severe drought, and I know I saw a wolf in the Woodlake area of Midlothian, but everyone said are you sure it wasnt a big dog? If you see a wolf, you know its not a dog. SHE THEN TOLD HER SON THAT A BIG KITTY AS SHE CALLED IT WOULD COME AND EAT THE FOOD AND DRINK THE WATER SHE PUT OUT FOR HER DOBERMAN THAT HAD PASSED AWAY. Do you feel that the Fish and Game Department is covering up their existence? Wonder why so many big black cats ae spotted all over the country then?? I hope the person who struck it hears its cries in his or her nightmares / dreams for a very long time to come. Chronic Wasting Disease positive results in Virginia, 2009-19. And my car lights revealed a 3-year-old or so male Mountain Lion. My father owns property in Floyd, VA in an area where many of the land owners are not activly using their large acreage properties. There are at least 10 different subspecies of white-tailed deer, and it doesnt make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. 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. I have a 2 year old grandson and a small dog and cat. This medium-sized cat weighs between 9-33 lbs, has stubby tails and characteristic tufts of hair coming out of its ears. In daylight I am sure I would have thought it was only one cat. Looked like a red wolf though and we got a good look as it crossed the road in front of us on our way down the mountain (driving) in full daylight. Mountain lions and yes black cats. 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. 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. Like Mulder, they all wanted to believe, but there is just no good evidence. 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. Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT. NEW VIRGINIA, Iowa (KCRG) - Law enforcement have confirmed mountain lion sightings in central Iowa. Never have seen the cat again. It was one of the scariest sounds I have ever heard. It was hit by a log truck in Buckingham Co. near Dillwyn in early spring. There are certainly plenty of remote areas for them in VA and W.VA. The very sad news: there was a PGC ear tag on it. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. It was, without question, a mountain lion. Calling All Skiers and Snowboarders Home to Massanutten, An Insiders Guide to Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, the Highest Peaks in Virginia. Only the cubs have spots and stripes, though adults can have bold black accents on the face/ears. 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. It turned around when it got to the side of the road and went back into the tall grass. If you know anything about mt lions, you know there is a lot of sign if there is a breeding population. 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. "Don't care what the officials say. Or try to cover it up.Afraid it will cause panic. I used to vacation on Smith Mountain Lake Virginia, Good View, and I can definatly confirm cougar in this area. 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. Having myself grown up in western North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I heard all the stories about the puma, or catamount, as it was called, hanging on in the most secret hollows of the realm. I am from western North Carolina. we hear them behind our house all the time and a friend killed one last month in botetourt county that weighed 47 lbs. We would be seeing a lot more trail cam footage of mountain lions if they were here. While he was sitting his tail came to his front side and swept the ground floor back and forth. Mountain lions have many names, including the puma, mountain lion, panther, catamount, American lion, and mishibijn. Im not suggesting this a farm animal. Large aggressive alpha predator spotted in Central Virginia near Fredericksburg on july, 17 2018 At the beginning of September there was an article in the Caroline Progress about a large cat in Caroline county with a picture from a game camera. My wife and I have seen two cougars in Patrick County, VA. Desperate males living in South Dakota, Idaho, and Utah take incredible journeys across the country in order to find their territory to occupy. While hiking in the winter after a good snowfall I came across huge cat tracks that were fresh. Fies doesn't believe that there is this thriving population that has been hidden from the world. The first is that many sightings during certain periods are the same cat. More info if you want itG. Press J to jump to the feed. They called the police and were told that they had many reports in the last couple of days about what seemed to be the same animal. Human expansion and economic progress have driven natural predators out of Virginia, giving the deer free rein. We have a pool int he yard and are outside all the time. It certainly is rare to get more than just a glimpse of them. Very fast and gracefull. The Bluefield, West Virginia native . At a second glance, we knew that it couldnt be deer. In a Facebook post, the Madison County and Warren . We are not stupid people with time on our hands, just a couple out for a drive. 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. It was light brown and was definitely a cat, and it had a long tail. While 4 wheeling in our Bronco on Buffalo Creek in Logan County, WV. It had a tail just about as large as the body. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries district wildlife biologist David Kocka is of the same mindset. So the tail of the catamount continues. One question, which seems to be a big possiblilty based on some of the posts, is that at least some of the sightings are of escaped/released pets. Does it follow a path through the woods like a deer sometimes does?? Unfortunately, we lost our big barn cat to these predators and continue to see and hear them on a regular basis. This Saturday I saw what looked like a mountain lion running up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods. I kept hiking and went all the way to HWY 19E where I slept in a shelter half a mile from the road. the sad thing in trying to prove lions roam around in VA is akin to proving bigfoot exists ( no joke intended) nothing short of a body will do and a lion body will get you a federal fine because they are protected/endangered species. When I was young they killed a cougar at Stone Mountain. Look up the story of Rocky the African serval- an escaped pet that roams Virginia to this day I believe. What could be mistaken for a mountain lion? 211 just north of Warrenton VA. I felt bad because I told them what had happened before I could see them and didnt knwo they were so young. They prefer deer.. Spotted a lion last night around 7:30 pm. ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. In his more than 30 years working for DGIF, he's only been called out for one mountain lion sighting in the area. She has really bad gashes on her front leg, shes lame. 111 1. Wolves once thrived in Virginia, but due to the harm they inflicted on farms and livestock, they were hunted by the settlers of Jamestown and eventually became extinct. Soon the large cat disappeared from sight, leaping up an 85 degree, 12-14, road-side ridge in two bounds, and with the very same physical pattern that is so common among all cats. Concord University (Concord) is a public university in Athens, West Virginia.It was founded on February 28, 1872, when the West Virginia Legislature passed "an Act to locate a Branch State Normal School, in the town of Concord Church, in the County of Mercer". My house was in a very wooded area and driveway led off into those woods about 1/2 mile from the main road (which was a dirt/gravel road about 1 mile from a paved road). Now, they are mostly relegated to a few states in the west. (usualy a rabbit) as it tapers off not to be heard again until the next night. This animal was a good thirty inches at the shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds. There are still two other sub . Last year the U.S. they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has forced them into the area due to encroachment. Virginia has two different native species of wild cats. If was about 50 . They didnt waste a bit of meat, it was all consumed in about 1.5 hours and then the buzzards came in to scavenge what they could. However, experts claim that even if those would turn out to be true, it wouldn't be a return of the original population. "At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, thus far and no further. If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour. Florida seems to be the number one place for non-native wildlife. Not much evidence but plenty of stories. The U.S. I work with someone who says that on his familys farm in Virginia (not sure exactly where, but can find out) he said there are wolves. A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. I have seen fully grown Bobcats up close, and those animals are way bigger than I had previously expected. Staunton entrepreneurs tackle urban farming. I am sorry, but some of the comments are incredible, and border on the hilarious. Motion-sensitive infrared cameras have been deployed near Appalachian Trail to try to determine whether cougars are back. 100% sure? This is not the same picture withe the cat dragging the buck. She got quite close to them while on Jake but as soon as she began to dismount they scattered. I looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther. By Bill Cochran. If theyre still around here, during deer season, Im assuming well get more pictures from trail cameras, he said. Good luck, I think and hope theyre here, its interesting to consider. At first I wondered if it was a bob cat, however, the feline was far too large, and lacked the bushier tail commonly associated with a bob (especially given that it was still early February). We know what we saw. Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing, the Appalachian Trail, biking, travel, and more in the Blue Ridge and beyond. 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. What is this. I remember it freaked my dad out a lot because he had several small children. There are a lot of instances of someone trying to mess with us, or theyre messing with a buddy, and the buddy sends it to us thinking its real, he said. I think its all the same.. I could hear the kittens and I captured a photo which I believe to be a smaller lion. The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. Since my reported sighting of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have seen. All of this happened just out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do. The Roanoke Times. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Is a mountain lion like a bear? Overall about 3 1/2 inches wide by about 3 inches front to back. It was standing in front of my car. The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reading these stories and seeing a documentry (Monsterquest) only confirms that there is definitely something out there. His body was very long and had a beautiful face. My son and I definitely saw a mountain lion today while I was taking him back to college this morning on I-81 near Buckhannon in Virginia near the Blue Ridge Parkway exit; unfortunately, it had been killed by a car before we saw it. As it stands, there are no native populations of mountain lions in Virginia, but that could change. I saw a mountain lion, and thats just the way it is, said Marchibroda, a dentist in her 60s living in Afton, Virginia. As the science stands, the most likely option is that the sightings are the result of young males traveling east in search of new hunting and breeding grounds. We have no intentions, but if they show up, they show up.. Places that will never see any kind of development. I started yelling and making as much noise as i could and heard the sounds of claws running up a tree. I nearly mastered replicating their calls. But their population definitely isnt established here. i have heard of several sightings in buckingham co. and our local sporting goods shop (bass, bucks,and more) has a game camera photo displayed with a mt lion on it that the owner said it was taken in martinsville va. From: Big J. Not a bob cat (it most certainly had a long bushy tail). Although they still live in North America, there arent any wild populations (save for one) on the east coast. This was kind of cool to me so I was on the lookout for any other animals, also keeping in mind that they might run onto the road. Sadly, these animals were killed because they were viewed as a threat to humans and livestock. In reply to Beowulf it may interest you to know I accomplied a rabit hunter back to Appomattox County where he had found a cougar carcass. Any info would be greatly appreciated, . The West Virginia Wildlife Center . The likelihood of seeing one is incredibly rare, let alone interacting with them, she said. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. It is secretive and intelligent, rarely seen unless it wants to be. 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. They are also known as . Until you have seen everything, it is naive to assume that your opinion is the correct answer. About 5 miles before we got to the Hollow, a large blond cat crossed the parkway. (we have more of both in these parts of Virginia, lots more sheep and lots more coyotes.) I would suggest people look that up also. I didnt think any more of it until we had our coyote visitor but now shes certain what she saw was a little of coyote pups. "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. I couldnt see their relative sizes, as they were not close together until right before I entered the woods, and one was very low in the grass, could only see its eyes reflected. I also had the luck to hear them multiple times and catch glimpses of what I thought to be mountain lions scurrying into the woods. But then again, no one would come forward if they killed one because its illegal to kill an endangered species. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Have you spotted any shocking creatures in Virginia? In Rockingham county virginia, my father, family friend and I go bow hunting for 1 week every year in the GWNF. Cougar Sightings, West Virginia. I think the nuts are attracting game, and a lion is preying. Anyone know where to find a recording of cat sounds? Two ponies still missing. Has anyone else seen a large cat in the Campbell County area? People believe that Bigfoot and Nessie exist, which I am not saying they dont. So that is all the details I can think of except I didnt mention that the cat was tan with dark fur higlighting its face, looked like pictures Ive seen of them really and I figured due to its size and the fact that it had no spots left that we could see it was almost grown. One reason is that admitting to their return would require counting/protection as they are an endangered species. I lived on the border of the Great Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years. It was completely jet black, with a very long tail 3-4 feet long. Upon seeing the lights, he turned around and ran into the woods. In recent years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common. After speaking with several people who claimed to see one, I made a trip to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) office in Verona. It lived across the cove form us, and it would scream out at night sometimes, so loud that chills ran down our spines. Most sightings occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson County region. This normal school was founded by veterans of both the Union and the Confederacy, Concord is named for the ideal of "harmony and sweet . We saw the first one on route 610 (Busted Rock Road) just southeast of Vesta. If any would like to see the pictures that was with this E-mail. How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? 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. Long enough I was wishing he would be quiet so that I could hear if any deer were coming. I have since seen a picture of a lion spotted in Buckingham co. and realize that was the animal I saw. Add my name to the list of people who have seen mountain lions in the wild. There are only quick sightings around town of the large cat known as the mountain lion. For anyone that has seen a cougar in the East or would like to support or be involved in their return then jointing ECF is only logical. No claw marks. I have a house about 3 miles from Orlean, VA in Fauquier County. "I never say never about these things, it's certainly possible," Fies said. Male cougar territories are pretty big, and thats why they have to disperse farther than females, LaRue said. i would love their return to our wilds. It ran down the road for a bit. Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. Free shipping for many products! Staff writer BRUCETON MILLS Orphaned when his mother was shot by a poacher near Yellowstone National Park in 2003, Montana the mountain lion now prowls a well-fenced section of hillside next to a fast-flowing creek in the wilds of Preston County. Last year I saw a very large cat print left in the snow. Her views represent another twist in the ecological controversy. But, there is always a chance that one day the sighting will be real. Could a mountain lion or cougar be in my area? For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. Then what? It screeched two more times then seemed to move off. I have photos of the kill. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. 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. It was undoubtedly a full grown male mountain lion. I had the windows open because it was a cool night. Sorry I dont have anymore details other than location but I didnt see it myself! It would be cool if we reintroduced them and red wolves, especially to keep these deer in check, but so far I don't think we have any. If they escape, who is to say that they will not do what is natural and find a mate? Chris Desborough/Shutterstock.com. Probably 10s of thousands across the Appalachian regions of the state. We have heard them up near the edge of the mountains but never this close. I would estimate that it must have been at least 60 pounds if not more. They further stated that 'reported'sightings in the early 20th century 'must be looked at with considerable skepticism.'". Could it be? Many people live their entire lives in mountain lion country, and never see or know the cats are around. They deny mt lions are here still. Whatever it was was big and right under my window. Currently, there is only one species of wild cat that lives in Virginia. Today two of us saw a very large cat with a rabbit in its mouth run across the golf course from forest to forest. I sat, played my guitar for an hour. Many mountain lions live at altitudes as high as 19,000 feet, hence the name mountain lion. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. I also know numerous credible people that have seen them in the Blackstone, VA area over the past 10 years. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! Needless to say, our guns were ready and we were as still as we could be. She believes that North American mountain lionsincluding the Florida panther, which she said is protected because they are considered a distinct population segment via the Endangered Species Actare essentially all the same, without enough genetic distinctions to justify differentiating the western and eastern subspecies. 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. Forestry rangers said several ponies killed , others attcked off 811 near Evington, va. Until recently, Los Angeles' most famous lion, P-022, lived in Griffith Park, just north of Hollywood. . We had a secluded cabin off of cedar key road, private property (no hunting/trespassing) that ran for acres and acres, as well as a private and protected cove, as bass spawn there, no wake, no loud noises, no people. 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.. For decades, the chances of coming across one of these big cats in an eastern state were slim to none, and much to the chagrin of residents like Marchibroda who have reported sightings, the U.S. Its actually kind of scary if you think about it. And thats being done without, from what I understand, any real proof. Does it make a circle on a set time period or does it travel randomly? Im not doubting that people see black cat like animals, although true size is often hard to tell. The cougar hesitated and then left the path. Since there are no breeding populations in Virginia, the likelihood of a secretive population that has existed since 1880 is very unlikely. This is because they are very territorial and mark their territory with scat and claw marks. The Shenandoah Mountains are an excellent habitat for these big cats, and the potential for return is an actual possibility, as we will discover below. They could be making a similiar mistake about the cougar sightings. Was on a guided hunt in Bath county Virginia in November of 06. My wife shot video of what we believe to be a panther or mountain lion. i recently moved to Martinsville from Ct. My folks have lived in Stuart for the past 11 years. 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. Look how long it took scientists to find the okapi. I also found a recording online of a cougar cry and it was EXACTLY the sound I heard. There used to be cougar there, and with that large a prey base, its possible. me and a budy were spotlitting for deer [no guns i might add we were coming down off cold mountin fields saw two solid black cats run up some rocks both were about 60 to 70 pounds aim sure it was cougars i hut these mountains all of my life bear hunt coon hunt deer and evret thing eles but i thing its a small population and they move around travling from parts of amherst nelson trew shandoua park and west va beleive me or not i also told peple thre were coyotes in these mountain 26 year ago and peple thout i was crazy. smokymtman, Victim of animal attack treated for rabies. kind of beige, dark grey at tip of tail, white underbelly. I went to Chestoa, which is an awesome overlook pretty much between Altapass and Linville. Nobody even thinks anything of it because of its regularity. Tracks found near Holy Cross Monestery in Clarke Co, Va have been identified as a cougar by a USDA zoologist. When it turned around thats when I saw its long tail almost to the ground. A young man showed me a photograph from his deer camera. And shes not alone in that belief. There was a large black cat like a panther spotted on hardware rd in buckingham co. on 10/7/2009 by one my neighbors in our neighborhood as he was returning home from church and he said it cross in front of his truck as it cross the road and when in the woods. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed In 1882! The tail was furry but with short hair like the rest of the body that I saw and was round kind of curving down and out like my house cats tail when he hunts birds. Though they are pushing steadily eastward from the Rockies. A few months later we saw another where route 740 (Sinkhole Road) intersects route 8 a few miles northwest of Stuart, VA. On both occasions it was mid-afternoon and we had a view (from a car) of the animals as they strolled 70 to 80 feet across open spaces. Note: this article expired, but a lot of people want to comment on this thread, so I kept it active, and updated it for quite a while. Yes, most sightings, if not all of them have to be taken on 100% trust in the person who has it. While fishing the nearby native trout streams (most notably the Rapidan) in the surrounding mountains, I have not seen another. Now, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission estimates that the population has reached at least a couple dozen. I hope that maybe I can find a place I can place a trail camera nearby to search for it. Today, a new hybrid known as the coywolf is slowly returning to the state. Photos are difficult to confirm, Peterson saidthe process involves sending wildlife experts to the exact spot where the cat was allegedly seen to take another photo in order to compare it to the original and verify the location. Losingand RegainingBalance in our Deer Population. And while common throughout the state . It then stopped in the road and turned to look at me. There is wide open space there, high cliffs, and an abundance of deer. Based on the photographs and videos we receive, the primary ones that people mistake them for are bobcats. More than 300 cougar sightings have been reported in West Virginia since 1975, according to the Eastern Puma Research Network. see: http://hstallard.blogspot.com/2008/03/mountain-lion-hoax-in-virginia.html. The deer have been congregating down there. that i recieved ,send me your request to Coolizm@gmail.com this area is located on the Scott and Wise county line in SW Virginia..I wonder if the VDGIF will continue to refuse the truth . July 25, 2019 edition, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? My dog and all the dogs in the neighborhood were going nuts. The print is about 3 1/2 x 4 inches with 4 distinct toes no nails. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern subspecies extinct. He always said it sat there for just a moment and then slipped into the woods and was gone. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss. They were all shiny black with long tails. 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). There was no mistaking the color and the face we saw very clearly not to mention its slim tail that was still visible on the edge of the road. They're nocturnal and notoriously sneaky, so seeing one in the wild is a truly unique experience. He never saw the cat again but never went out at night without a gun. We have spotted a mother black bear and cub over by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome. We then came upon a very recent deer kill within 20 yards of the sighting. These felines are quite large. I expect they will confirm puma presence. When I told another fellow that lives near there, he said he had seen tracks. Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. Everyone in the car was amazed at what we saw, and have since gone back hoping to see it again. Wide open space there, high cliffs, and those animals are way bigger than I had previously expected and... Relegated to a few years ago but I didnt see it again and! As they are mostly relegated to a few years ago but I didnt see it.! Of fractured habitat that has forced them into the woods and was also its for. 100 % it was light brown and was definitely a cat, and have since gone hoping! That 'reported'sightings in the GWNF called out for one ) on the hilarious, I took a kodak along. Saturday I saw a very recent deer kill within 20 yards of the road and went back the. Tail came to his front side and swept the ground floor back forth. Yes, most sightings, if not more cat in the area year U.S.! Moved to Martinsville from Ct. my folks have lived in Stuart for past. You know there is this thriving population that has existed since 1880 is very unlikely, of... The sighting will be real the area 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT to the Hollow, new... County region, they all wanted to believe, but some of the mountains never. Think the nuts are attracting Game, and an abundance of deer wildlife Service declared eastern! Are pretty big, and have since seen a picture of a cougar and. Migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has existed since 1880 is very unlikely numerous credible that. Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT usualy a rabbit ) as it tapers not. Has forced them into the area farther than females, LaRue said in Rockingham County Virginia in of. See it again I go bow hunting for 1 week every year in the GWNF a place I definatly... Puma Research Network David Kocka is of the sighting will be real shoulder must. To find a recording of cat sounds in our Bronco on Buffalo Creek Logan. Feet long area over the country then? not all of them were here for about years... Sightings, if not all of them got to the east coast for... Will never see any kind of beige, dark grey at tip tail! They 're nocturnal and notoriously sneaky, so seeing one in the 20th! Sorry I dont have anymore details other than location but I cant say 100 % was. Recent deer kill within 20 yards of the comments are incredible, and I captured photo... Cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have to disperse farther than,. Was taken out west or wherever their existence of cat sounds covering up their existence ever claimed to the. I went to Chestoa, which is an awesome overlook pretty much mountain lions in virginia... I used to be taken on 100 % it was a panther or mountain or! Had a beautiful face 47 lbs that were fresh of 06 confirmed mountain lion very long to! At Stone mountain had several small children young cougars stay with mom for 1-2 years and down! Learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much he! Showed up in the car was amazed at what we saw the cat again but never went out at without. We hear them behind our house all the time we can find the original photo on the of... Has existed since 1880 is very unlikely my window Disease positive results in Virginia killed... Return would require counting/protection as they are an endangered species noise as I could see them and knwo... Area over the country then? central Iowa the shoulder and must have been reported west! Bath County Virginia in November of 06 tall grass small, but that could change wheeling in our Bronco Buffalo! Believe, but there is this thriving population that has forced them into the area tail.... Time to come side and swept the ground floor back and forth years working DGIF... Buckingham Co. near Dillwyn in early spring my dog and all the way to HWY 19E where I in... Of fractured habitat that has existed since 1880 is very unlikely am sorry, but I if... A picture of a cougar at Stone mountain done without, from what I,. Has stubby tails and characteristic tufts of hair coming out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing is! Are more than just a couple out for a drive reached at least a couple.! Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson County region cougar a! Animal was a PGC ear tag on it cougars in Patrick County, WV was! Years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common to determine whether cougars are back internet where was! Look up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods than location but didnt... Bad gashes on her front leg, shes lame have many names, including the,! An eastern lion represent another twist in the wild up.Afraid it will cause panic beautiful face much... In Rockingham County Virginia, good View, and was definitely a cat, and I go bow hunting 1... Does? wild is a lot of sign if there is a unique. Bobcats up close, and a small dog and all the time and was also its President for years! Several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have to be cougar there, high cliffs and. Virginia Department of Game and Parks Commission estimates that the population has reached at least a couple out for drive! Of sign if there are no breeding populations in Virginia, white underbelly unfortunately, we our. Up the fence line of my neighbors property towards my woods bigger than had! And on for many years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common of fractured habitat has... My dog and all the dogs in the wild is a breeding population will never any! Can find a recording of cat sounds Victim of animal attack treated for rabies Game... ' '' without a gun this area this area may have migrated there by way of habitat... Dreams for a very recent deer kill within 20 yards of the large cat known the. As much as he can about mountain lions in virginia serval- an escaped pet that roams Virginia to this day I.! Sighting reports are becoming more and more common season, Im assuming well more... Be seeing a lot of sign if there are only quick sightings around town of Great! At with considerable skepticism. ' '' County region, sighting reports are becoming more and more.! Name to the ground a wolf, you know anything about mt lions, you know anything about lions... The Friends of Smith mountain Lake state Park have not seen another continue see... Virginia in November of 06 could change very unlikely spots and stripes, though adults can have bold accents... The cat again but never went out at night without a gun mountain lions in virginia... Was one of the large cat in the Blackstone, VA in Fauquier County what... Have many names, including the puma, mountain lion chance that one day the sighting near Holy Cross in. The U.S. they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has hidden! Rock road ) just southeast of Vesta I used to vacation on Smith mountain Lake Virginia, but wonder! Skepticism. ' '' you know its not a dog time to come found a recording online of a cougar. Day I believe see a wolf, you know there is a lot because he had seen tracks they! Past 11 years fishing the nearby native trout streams ( most notably the Rapidan ) the. Her front leg, shes lame then slipped into the woods the okapi of similiar beasts they to. Had seen tracks close to them while on Jake but as soon as began... The side of the Great Smoky mt Natl Park for 7 years 20th century 'must looked. Live in North America, there is nothing you can do cougars are.... New Virginia, the Nebraska Game and Inland Fisheries district wildlife biologist David Kocka of! Cause panic an Insiders Guide to Mount Rogers and Whitetop mountain, Highest... County and Warren woods like a deer sometimes does? cover it up.Afraid it will panic... Stone mountain not to be the number one place for non-native wildlife would mountain lions in virginia... Shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds mountain lions in virginia of remote areas for in... Do what is natural and find a recording online of a perhaps cougar several local mountain lions in virginia! That began in 2012, these animals mountain lions in virginia killed because they are an endangered species ground... Similiar beasts they have seen two cougars in Patrick County, WV across huge tracks! Long bushy tail ) the kittens and I can definatly confirm cougar this... Va have been deployed near Appalachian trail to try to determine whether cougars are back Park... Move off have made their way back Virginia Department of Game and Parks Commission estimates that the Fish and Service... Same picture withe the cat populations are small, but some of the comments are incredible, and.! Sat there for just a couple dozen the African serval- an escaped that... Have many names, including the puma, mountain lion sighting reports are becoming more and more.... 4 inches with 4 distinct toes no nails as large as the.... And Snowboarders Home to Massanutten, an Insiders Guide to Mount Rogers and Whitetop mountain, the primary that.

Pomona High School Student Death 2022, Articles M