I hesitate to post this because I know what will come

[wvohiofan]

Hello everyone,

I switched spots today and pulled an all-day sit. I passed 3 small bucks before noon and saw 3 does. The little guys were cruising and grunting. No big boys this morning.

This evening I moved closer to a picked cornfield. It's really thick where I went. There is a grassy lane that runs through this thick bottom. As I came down the hill I noticed an animal in the lane sitting there looking at me. I thought it was a bedded deer.

I moved around a thick bush to get a little better look and I am still cursing myself for not grabbing my binocs out of my backpack. That's when this animal got up and darted into the bush. The hair stood on the back of my neck when I realized that I was 75 yards from a Mountain Lion.

I've hunted since I was 4 years old and I know what Bobcats, coyotes, feral cats, etc look like. I do not drink or do any kind of drugs. I know exactly what I was looking at this evening. When the cat turned east I had a broadside view of him in a cut grassy lane at 75 yards. He had that long curved tail with that dull grey/black bulbous tip. It was not a large cat by Mountain Lion standards. Maybe 80-100 pounds.

I retreated up the hill watching my 6 where I placed my stand. I saw no sign of him after that. I have ran cameras on an adjacent farm before but never on this one. After the rut dies down I'm going to put my cams out and try to get pictures of it.

Right at dark I had an encounter with a shooter buck to top it off. He winded me in the end as he circled.

Folks, I'm from WV so I don't know much about Ohio and cats. Are there said to be any in Ohio?..... because I know where one is for sure.

[jgi1020]

What part of the state were you hunting at? If it was Gahana it could have been a lion...

[wvohiofan]

What part of the state were you hunting at? If it was Gahana it could have been a lion...

I was 5 miles outside of Athens and it is a Mountain Lion. Of that I am certain.

[diablo54]

lol

[epe]

Never seen one around here. But I have never seen a bobcat around here either until my dad got one on one of game cameras about three weeks ago... :yikes:

[antiqucycle]

No doubt some non resident lease hunters brought it with them from New Jersey and turned it loose.

[sportsman34]

not saying its not possible...alot of woods down around there...big foot might be down there also...since there have been sights of big foot down around there it was on natural geographic channel on time:mischeif:

[Vertical Resolution]

Their around... have been several sightings in Hocking County by very reputable people.

Also, this one was photographed in my brothers backyard last year. Feb 2008 about 10:30 am in Sylvania, OH. across from Irwin Prairie.


http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/uploads/4251/cougar.jpg

[hunterforlife]

Their around... have been several sightings in Hocking County by very reputable people.

Also, this one was photographed in my brothers backyard last year. Feb 2008 about 10:30 am in Sylvania, OH. across from Irwin Prairie.


http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/uploads/4251/cougar.jpg

Hey thats close to me:yikes::yikes::gaga:

[Vertical Resolution]

Here is a link to one photographed (deercam) at Salt Fork, this year -- http://www.daily-jeff.com/news/article/4688655

[Hoytmania]

I remember reading an article a year or wo ago about mountain lions and how they are growing in population. It reported in the article of mountain lions in michigan. So I would not dispute that they are around.

[redcloud102]

It's Ohio we have it all :D. Just never know what you will see out there anymore. Makes you really wonder when your hiking in/out of your stand in the dark :whistle:

[HuntNWOHIO]

Makes me want to go get my CCW permit!

[wvohiofan]

It's Ohio we have it all :D. Just never know what you will see out there anymore. Makes you really wonder when your hiking in/out of your stand in the dark :whistle:

I hiked out over a mile in the dark with my hunting knife in my hand.

[uglykat26]

i had big foot follow me home one time, , i was gonna capture it and make millions till my wife smacked me in the head and said i aint no bigfoot you moron now untie me

[wvohiofan]

i had big foot follow me home one time, , i was gonna capture it and make millions till my wife smacked me in the head and said i aint no bigfoot you moron now untie me

Expected response.

[TheCream]

I hiked out over a mile in the dark with my hunting knife in my hand.

After knowing how I reacted seeing wild bears in WV at close range, I would have hiked out with a knife in one hand and pants filled with fecal matter. :yikes:

[redcloud102]

I hiked out over a mile in the dark with my hunting knife in my hand.

I don't blame you lol. I think after seeing something like that it rattles your cage for awhile. People in this state get complacent and don't think about animals like that being in the woods. After me being in other states that have big meat eating predators I never step foot into any woods and think I'm top of the food chain. You just never know what your neighbor owns for pets. I know of 3 mountain lions people own just in my county alone well 2 now because the one got put down since it was getting out and running the countryside a few times. I bet the chances are very far and few between but just goes to show you should never let your guard down out there :D.

[Dissident]

Well a few wks ago one was spotted by several people in the Salt Fork area, maybe he headed south.

[wvohiofan]

I was thinking of reporting it to the ODOW. Do you guys think that I should? Is there any benefit in it?

[redcloud102]

I would call it in. You never know they may already have had others report it as well. Other then logging it in the books at the office I don't know that they will go out actively seeking it to help it out in anyway.

[jerky_smoker]

I read an article this past august stating that they have had several sightings in the southestern regions of ohio. the article warned hunters/hikers outdoorsman to be aware of the possibility and that if possible to take them out. they are a threat to humans and every other mammal in our state. hopefully you see it during gun/muzzle loader and let the lead fly

[wvohiofan]

I called the ODOW. He told me that there's only ever been one killed in the state and it was declawed(a pet turned loose). He said that likely the same thing has happened in my case. I gave the location and he logged it.
I'm also going to call the landowner this evening.

[browningwhitetails2]

Just curious if it would be legal to shoot one if you had an encounter.

[redcloud102]

Just curious if it would be legal to shoot one if you had an encounter.

Thats a very good question and one at this time I can't give an accurate reply to. I could see the ODOW saying go for it since it is more then likely a persons pet and a danger to everybody and native wildlife. I can also see them saying no you can't it's an endangered species here. Best way to find out is to call the local office or e-mail ODOW and ask.

[bowhunter1023]

I was 5 miles outside of Athens and it is a Mountain Lion. Of that I am certain.

I believe you. Its not the first time people have seen then around here. People have them as pets and they get loose or people turn them loose. I have no doubts its possible...

[Shadow]

Why would anyone want a mountain lion for a pet? :eek:

[bowhunter1023]

Why would anyone want a mountain lion for a pet? :eek:

So they can say they have a mountain lion as a pet...

[redcloud102]

So they can say they have a mountain lion as a pet...

Yes sir that the main reason they do it. Add in the fact people think they are cute as a button when they are cubs. Then they grow up and people can't control them anymore so off to the woods they go. Some get sent to sanctuaries but they only have so much room at those places.

[Shadow]

Has Roy Horn taught us nothing?

Cat>20lbs=bigproblem. It's really simple math!

[jerky_smoker]

I will try to dig up info on the article I read, but it did say if you can take a clean shot to do so, since they are a threat to our lively hood and our outdoor pets/livestock.