Mountain Lion shot in Kearney...

[Happygolucky]

Originally Posted by IsThisOneTaken?

Truth be told, GL2 is probably spot on in his assessment.

The conspiracy theory that Game and Parks releases them amuses me. The story goes that they released them to control the deer population. If they really wanted to kill more deer, they could just sell more permits--they make money on them.

Then the conspiracy theorists say that G&P denies the existence of lions in Nebraska. However, they have a page on the G&P site dedicated to them:
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Wildlife Species Guide - Mountain Lion

Their sighting map needs updated...

The continued development on the front range is the primary reason they wander. Most of the ones found in Nebraska have been young males. They typically get pushed out of their territory and are looking for new territory. They have been found as far east in Nebraska as Omaha (the only time one was successfully captured BTW, since there is a world-class zoo there with staff trained to handle them). There are a lot more than have been "confirmed" but they are a pretty secretive creature.

The Kearney newspaper has several articles on the lion there: www.kearneyhub.com

The police there are taking a lot of flack about not tranquilizing it and relocating it.

Problem #1: The police don't carry tranquilizer guns, have the training to use them, or time to call a specialist in.

Problem #2: Where do you release it? Something like 95% of Nebraska is privately-owned. I don't know of any farmer or rancher who would be happy to have one released on their property and state parks aren't really an option. Our surrounding states sure as heck don't want them--not even Colorado and especially not one that was in an urban area.

However, as more and more make their way into Nebraska, it may be time for G&P to explore a response plan that involves more trained staff and availability of tranquilizers. But I really don't think they could afford having one in every town. City police departments will still do what is best for public safety--not for wildlife.

The NGPC did not plant Mountain Lions in South Central Nebraska, it was the Federal Government. I know because I worked in the area about ten years ago. If anyone knows anything about the area, it is superb Mountain Lion habitat.

[Wyomama2]

I find that comical considering there are no MOUNTAINS! LOL

[Wyomama2]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Well country people know to look behind them when they walk, and they carry as a matter of course for 'varmints'. My brother was tracking an elk last year in SE ID, and decided it was time to backtrack. Not 100 yards behind him was a lion sittin on a bench overhang, watching him. He fired at him and walked back along his trail - the lion had been trailing him for almost a quarter mile...

Sneaky lil varmints.

I grew up in south central Nebraska, trust me no one is watching behind them when they're out walking on a county road wondering if a mountain lion is going to be stalking them from a cornfield. Maybe lately they are more aware but it's not something on their minds daily. It may be a different story to the west of there in the Sandhills but in that area it's not. I grew up on the farm and would be all over the place outside playing alone, my Gramma would be in the garden or in the house and would holler for me every now and then to see where I had gotten to. She didn't have to worry about anything like this. We went for walks all the time and didn't even consider carrying when we did. It isn't something anyone back there even thinks about. Now here in WY yes you carry when you go hiking, camping etc. And you're aware of the threat of cats and the like. I'm just waiting to hear about wolf pack sighting back there. Course there probably have been some there already but if a rancher in the western part of the state sees them I'm sure we'll never hear about it .

[IsThisOneTaken?]

Originally Posted by Happygolucky

The NGPC did not plant Mountain Lions in South Central Nebraska, it was the Federal Government. I know because I worked in the area about ten years ago. If anyone knows anything about the area, it is superb Mountain Lion habitat.

I worked in south central NE for ten years also, from 1993-2003.

I know nothing about the Federal Government releasing mountain lions.

Can you please provide something to back up your statement? What agency? Website links? News stories? Anything?

[livinslv]

Originally Posted by Wyomama2

Someone that lives in Superior told me they think the Game and Fish are releasing them there, but that doesn't make sense to me. I think the Front Range of Colorado is so over crowded that it's pushing them to find other places to live and so they're heading east into Nebraska.

I'd have to agree with you on that one. Are the plains someplace that mountain lions live by default?

[Happygolucky]

Originally Posted by IsThisOneTaken?

I worked in south central NE for ten years also, from 1993-2003.

I know nothing about the Federal Government releasing mountain lions.

Can you please provide something to back up your statement? What agency? Website links? News stories? Anything?

Just talk to any farmer from Superior to Red Cloud they will tell you about the sightings the government boys running around.

[IsThisOneTaken?]

Originally Posted by Happygolucky

Just talk to any farmer from Superior to Red Cloud they will tell you about the sightings the government boys running around.

Ah yes, that sounds credible.

I know lots of farmers in that area, and even worked for one outside of Superior. Never heard that conspiracy theory once.

[dirtleg]

I grew up in Republic, KS (a few miles south of Superior). I have seen lions in the area, woken up after a night camping with tracks around our site, and I have heard the rumors about fish and game releasing them. There was also a guy near Lovewell lake that actually HAD a mountain lion and was said to be trying to breed/release him.
I was in Bertrand a couple months ago, and a lion was seen just a couple miles from my friend's house. They're there and you won't even know it.

[nebr]

Yes, everyone run and hide! We are all going to be mauled by wolves and mountain lions! Give me a break! If they are threatening cattle or people, take care of them. Otherwise, just leave the things alone.

[nebr]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Trank guns are expensive; folks back east wanted us to get the PD some trank guns to take care of the feral dogs and cats. We looked into it; between the training, the guns themselves, and the tranquilizer 'darts' - plus the question of "what do you do with them once they're asleep?" (The dog pound was already crowded and working overtime on euthanasia) - it was completely cost-prohibitive.

Once you put a mountain lion to sleep, what do you do with it? Relocate it to where? Invade what other wild animal's territory, or put it where it can kill some other county's animals, stalk some other county's children or hunters? Give it a pillow and a blankie? Are Zoos really lining up to take Mountain lions? Between the guns, training, cost of transport and practicality of transport, tranquilizing wild animals is counter-intuitive, unless you have all of those answers and a firm plan.

The people who support relocation are obviously humanitarians. They operate on a different set of ethical standards than you. That standard involves valuing all forms of life and working to reduce suffering in the world. Your comment about invading "another animal's territory" is woefully ignorant. Mountain lions are a natural part of the ecosystem of the plains. It is not possible for them to "invade" another wild animal's territory in the way that you speak of because that is their natural territory too. It is sometimes difficult to get past people's preconceived notions about wildlife. If you ever need a lesson, you can private message me and I will give you some helpful tips for living in harmony with nature.