Where are the mountain lions? (Bertrand, Cody: live, food, relocating to)

[roots'nbulbs]

I work an acreage, way out in the boonies, and am often by myself.

I hear a lot of rumors about mountain lions encroaching into the interior of Nebraska. And, someone is always telling me about a siting.

Does anyone have true information about their habits and whereabouts??

[itsMeFred]

We have them along the Republican...
I've never seen one, but I know people who have. And their tracks are seen fairly regularly...

[roots'nbulbs]

yikes!

What are their habits? I've heard that they are so territorial that only one is usually found in a very large area.

My husband feels that we have so many deer, their tummies are too full for me. ???? I hope so.

[Off Pavement]

For a map from Nebraska Game and Parks of confirmed big cat sightings...

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/images/mtlion.pdf

Again... according to G&P's Sam Wilson...

"99.9% of the time, a mountain lion senses a human and they will run away," Wilson says. "So in the chance that you see a mountain lion, and it doesn't run away, the first thing you should do is make yourself look big as possible and don't turn around and don't run. Leave the animal an avenue for escape, and hope it runs away."

I'd be scared to death if I saw one, but mostly because of problems in the Colorado area near Boulder where several folks have been attacked over the years. That area has been heavily populated and the animals have had their habitat severely limited causing more and more incidents.

[SCGranny]

I've been told there is one around here that comes close to town (Cody) but have not seen it yet. Although, as prevalent as the deer, turkey, and antelope were this winter, I doubt s/he had much problem finding wild food. I'm keeping my eyes out, though... I don't want or need a trophy, I just don't want to be HIS (or, hers).

Be very careful. My brother was tracking deer in ID and came across some mountain lion tracks in the mountains. He turned around and saw the cat on an overhang behind him, watching him. It didn't pounce when he went underneath, though. But after that the deer tracks disappeared...

[Sandhills Guru]

I would not worry about one making a play on you. I have seen two now in the wild in our area. Also we have captured one on a game cam a few years back. Personally we have never lost a calf or any stock to one.

[roots'nbulbs]

I appreciate the insights. It's the tall grass that gets creepy, plus the nearby creek trees. For warnings, I'm depending on moo-ing cows, over the fence, and a good chesapeake that sometimes accompanies me.

Have thought through all sorts of defense, but I know I'm nothing, nor are weapons, against the quickness of the wilds.

So, I'll go with Sandhills' opinion, like my husband's, that I'm probably not as interesting as the deer and the cattle.

[Cunucu Beach]

There was a siting in Bertrand about 6 years ago. Also, a couple of sitings in the Danbury area about 3 years ago.

[Gunluvver2]

I grew up on a farm in Eastern Colorado. In the 17 years I lived on that farm I walked over several thousand acres hunting with my .22 rifle. Over the years I saw tracks of Mountain Lions many times but there was only one occasion where I actually saw one. I had spotted a rabbit close to a chokecherry thicket and I was just about to pull the trigger when a Mountain Lion jumped on it. I yelled at it saying something like "hey that's mine". He was just as startled as I was. The big cat ran away at high speed with it tail almost straight up in the air. It was a sight I will never forget.

I don't think these cats pose much threat to humans when there is plenty of food for them. The rare incidents where they have attacked humans seem to be close to urban populations where they may not be able to hunt properly.

GL2

[shannonx]

I am relocating to Greeley with the govt. and enjoy hunting, does anyone know of any public lands close to Greeley and anyone know if its hard to get permission from private landowners to hunt their land. Its nearly impossible here in southwest kansas, thankfully we have some public land with a few deer around. Any info. is appreciated.