We’ve been having a mountain lion problem here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We live quite a ways from town, on about 40 acres of timbered land. We have three dogs, a Siberian Husky, a Weimeraner, and a little bitty miniature schnauser. Our back upper deck is about 14 feet above the ground. That is where we usually store our 50 lb. sacks of dog food. Last night, all three dogs alerted, growled, snarled and just went crazy at the deck doors off our bedroom. I flipped on the deck lights and looked out. There was a big cat, about six feet from tail to nose, ripping apart the big sack of dog food. It must have leaped from one of the pine trees near our deck to access it. Of course it took off right away, but I moved the sacks of dog food inside.
We built this home in 1995. Never saw a mountain lion until about three years ago. We now have weekly sightings. Our neighbors have been missing cats and small dogs.....and our deer population has dropped significantly. A couple of weeks ago, we found a dead fawn in our back “yard”. It had been gutted and partially eaten. We buried the remains.
They are really becoming a problem. I worry about our three young grandchildren who live about a half mile down the road from us. Any thing small is prey for the big cats.
S.S.S.
Hope the Game Commission approves their own proposed increase of the DFG&P recommended increase of the season quota, to 40/25F.
A couple of years ago, a neighbor broke his arm when one spooked his horse, and it threw him.
Last year, three (Mom & 2 juveniles) ran through another neighbor’s yard, chased by yet another neighbor’s dog.
About 10 years ago, one killed a yearling colt at our spring.
Been several confirmed sightings & a few killed inside Hot Springs city limits over the past three years. Now that the city culled a hundred city deer, this past winter, their may be less of a ‘draw’ for them.
Not sure I believe this story. Storing food outside is a no no that any one who has lived or camped in the “outback” learns early.
They are really becoming a problem. I worry about our three young grandchildren who live about a half mile down the road from us. Any thing small is prey for the big cats.
SSS...Shoot, shovel, shut up...