Lions and Guns in Nebraska

Gun Watch ^ | 24 July, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Surprised at how many I found when I started looking.

[I cannot think of a name]

” The resident then shot the cat with a 9mm handgun.

......... The lion weighed approximately 160 pounds.”

Sorry, but unless he was backed up with no chance of retreat, this is not the smartest of move. Cats of any type are hard to bring down, and a 160 pounder with a 9mm? I’d want a little more firepower on my side of the equation.

[GraceG]

Grew up “near” scottsbluff and North Platte.

Family members have seen them near their farms, they are damned scary creatures.

Granted we shouldn’t kill them all off, but they should have their populations kept in check....

[Theoria]

Looks like 21 lions have been shot since 1991 because of threat or safety of the situation.

'The Chadron mountain lion was the 113th confirmed observation in Nebraska since 1991. It was the 11th confirmation this year. Eighty-one of the confirmed sightings have been in the Pine Ridge area near Chadron.'

[ansel12]

I like backpacking alone, and I like moving quietly in the darkness when out there, I really don’t like this push for more predators, and the sneaky but deadly Mountain Lion.

[driftdiver]

I’ve seen a florida panther (mtn lion) shadowing me while out hog hunting. I had a semi-auto 30-06 but the brush was so thick that cat coulda been on me before I knew it was coming.

scared the crap outta me

[driftdiver]

I worry about wolves far more. The cats are far less likely to rip your guts out for the fun of it.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

30 pounds?

[SolidRedState]

“30 pounds?”

It was a cub. Makes you wonder where mama was.

[marktwain]

Probably very hungry.

[marktwain]

Cats of any type are hard to bring down,

I recall reading (admitedly back in the 60’s and 70’s about how easy mountain lions were to put down. Many guides on mountain lion hunts only carried a .22 pistol. Of course, those were hunts with dogs.

But, you use the tool you have when you have it.

[HiJinx]

Interesting. I like Arizona, no need to worry about a justified shoot. Buy an over-the-counter lion tag; it’s good all year long. For one lion. After that, you’re on your own, I guess.

[mad_as_he$$]

Another close call in the link. Young woman broke several of my rules about going to the outback, She is lucky to be alive(and she could of bagged a cat!): http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/07/18/wildfire-may-saved-reno-womans-life/12868355/

[mad_as_he$$]

http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/07/18/wildfire-may-saved-reno-womans-life/12868355/

[Osage Orange]

If that's all I have,,,,I'm using it.

Shot placement..!!

[rickomatic]

Sorry, but unless he was backed up with no chance of retreat, this is not the smartest of move. Cats of any type are hard to bring down, and a 160 pounder with a 9mm? I’d want a little more firepower on my side of the equation.

Mountain lions/puma/cougars are NOT hard to bring down. The standard round for shooting cougars treed by dogs is the good old .22WMR. They are a thin skinned mammal and it is easy to hit their vitals.

[Carriage Hill]

"...cougar on a branch..."

I knew that phrase sounded familiar.

[CodeToad]

We have the kitty kats here in my neighborhood. A few weeks ago one prowled on dogs left in back yards. It got three dogs, including the yappy noisy thing we all hated. Gotta love the kitty kats.

[ozzymandus]

In KS, people reported seeing mountain lions, but F&G claimed there were none in KS. Years later, they actually admitted they had been secretly releasing cats from other states in KS.

[ozzymandus]

So they guy should have run home and grabbed a .458 Win. Magnum? Do you know what big cats do when something runs away from them? They attack. He was just lucky he had any gun at all.