Posted on 11/17/2011 5:31:11 AM PST by SJackson
MENOMONEE FALLS- A word of caution for hunters from the Department of Natural Resources. They say there's a cougar on the loose. And they want everyone to keep their eyes open.
This is the latest trail snapshot of a cougar roaming around Rusk-Taylor County line - east of Hawkins.
Evidence deer hunters aren't alone this hunting season.
"Cougars you know are stalkers. They would size me up if they're interested in taking me down," Jim Fetters, a longtime hunter says. DNR officials say there are only 13 documented cougar attacks on humans in the last 100 years.
But, they are still putting out a word of caution. "If you were to see a cougar, stay in groups, make loud noise. Basically scare the animal off," says DNR Wildlife Biologist Tim Lizotte. By looking at the photos, DNR officials guess this big cat is a young male.
"Male probably because it's traveling long distances. Our nearest breeding population of cougars is Black Hills of South Dakota," says Lizotte.
That's about 600 miles away. The DNR says, he's now been seen roaming west central and Northern Wisconsin.
He could even be in the Flambeau State Forest or Price County now. "We think they're on the search for good habitat, good territory and also probably looking to where they'll be other cougars," Lizotte says.
That's why some hunters are making sure they keep their eyes open on their big hunting trip.
"A cougar is something to really pay attention too. I mean they are very powerful and they'll take your game from you," John Argenzio, a longtime hunter says. Now, the DNR says not to shoot the cougar. They are a protected species. But, if you do see one to contact the nearest DNR office.
ouch
Here kitty, kitty. Daddy’s got some yummy lead kitty snacks for you.
Almost unbelievable!
They are talking about Wisconsin. I agree with your complaint and often see threads that don’t indicate what state they refer to.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Shhhhhh!
Nakedness alone is not necessarily "porn". But it was gone by the time I got here, so you'll be spared my judgement...
;^)
Hawkins, Texas is in Wood County.
Rusk County Texas is a little SE of Hawkins, in East Texas.
Taylor & Rusk Counties do not border since Taylor County is in West Texas.
And why is there a need to warn armed people of cats?
Where is Menomenee Falls?
I thought cougar conventions were held at bars, pubs and other fine drinking establishments! LOL!
Texas was too hot for the Menominee Indians and they moved up North as the ice age ended. /s?
Funny thing (about the link) did not see Mr. Cain mentioned there.
May not be the same one, but an old cougar was seen sitting on a bench with Newt Gingrich a few years ago!
A cougar on the loose? They're worried about a cougar? And how did this cougar get loose in the first place? Did the owner kill himself before he freed it? What a silly story.
When I lived in Montana I knew an elk hunter. He told me that last year, he was doubling back after stalking elk up the mountainside. He spotted a big cat laying motionless sunning himself on top of a large rock at twilight. This cat laying alongside his trail in ambush. With almost no fear this cat was patiently waiting for the elk hunter, knowing he would return the way he had just walked up the mountain!
If that doesn't frighten you imagine a two hundred pound cat with teeth 3.5 inches long. Razor like claws, which are sharp as any Ginzo knife. I know, because when I called him a liar, he went over to his freezer and pulled out a cougar skin complete with the animals skull and jaw intact.
Every year, I read stories from out West about cougars taking children and infants as prey. Their lifeless bodies are almost always found high up in nearby trees where the cats stashes them for future feeding.
How long before we have dead hikers, tourists, or children decorating our forests? The DNR is hopelessly behind the curve.
Another good reason for Wisconsin open carry laws. They might have acted just in time to prevent another needless tragedy
Just a thought. If anyone out there works for a state Department of Natural Resources, DO NOT get a “DNR” tatoo on your chest. The emergency room doctors may think it means something else :-)
Northern Wisconsin.
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