It's Official....Mtn Lion in New York

[joe skipp]

The DEC here in NY has confirmed they released a Mtn Lion in our area. We need this predator here like we need more Coyotes. Another tool I suppose to keep the deer herd in check.

The Lion was spotted by one of my friends in our neigboring town. Next day his wife spotted the cat 50 yds from his deck. A call to the DEC and it was confirmed. I only see problems ahead with this predator in town.

[ishiwannabe]

Whoa....DEC confirmed it?! I mean we have seen em around here for a while, but DEC always, and I mean always said they never existed in NY, unless they were "Someone's escaped or released exotic pey".

Interesting.

[LongStick64]

No way, That is something else, I would of thought they would have done it in the Adirondacks, not so far south.
So watch your back everyone. No joke fooling around a lion.

[Guru]

First I've ever heard of them actually admitting it as well.  They've been around a long time.....

[vtmtnman]

They've been there longer than the state would like to admit.We've seen them over in Washington county.

[bentpole]

Skipper make sure you check your roof as soon as you open your door to go to work! Wouldn't want anything to happen to you. I remember around 15 years or so ago when the deer population was taking over Fire Island I believe. Some knuckle head suggested they import a few pair of Mt Lions to thin the deer herd out there. Well what happens when the deer herd is gone? The Lions would be waiting on peoples house roofs for them when they get into their cars to go to work. I guess the lightbulb went off in someones head.Like you said between the bear and 'yotes it's a wonder we still have deer in Jersey any way.

[doeboy]

if this was confirmed people should make a real big stink about it and start to lobby the local reps from the DEC and express there opinions on this subject. if people dont bitch and moan loud enough they will never stop it. the old expression "the noisy wheel gets th egrease" im sure there are enough people from this site to make phone calls and if word accidentily spreads to some of the "louder" folks from the southern part of the state who use the same areas we do for recreation, they may have enough clout to nip it in the bud.

 it seems because are sport is looked down on in our society we tend not to make our voices heard. we need to rally together with everyone to stop this crap.

[doeboy]

if this was confirmed people should make a real big stink about it and start to lobby the local reps from the DEC and express their opinions on this subject. if people dont bitch and moan loud enough they will never stop it. the old expression "the noisy wheel gets the grease" i'm sure there are enough people from this site to make phone calls and if word accidentally spreads to some of the "louder" folks from the southern part of the state who use the same areas we do for recreation, they may have enough clout to nip it in the bud.

just my 2 cents.

 it seems because are sport is looked down on in our society we tend not to make our voices heard. we need to rally together with everyone to stop this crap.

[GANGGREEN]

Ah, no.  I'm calling bullcrap on this.  

Just sayin'......

[SteveB]

Need documented proof of DEC involvement before I can buy it. The liability of them doing this covertly is mind boggling.

 I hear stories of sightings all the time - in fact, probably more reports then in states where they have documented physical evidence. In spite of all these claims, I have never seen anyone provide any physical evidence - scat, hair, etc - or any documented photo. With 1000's of trail cams and cell cameras, you would think there would be one?

[NEB]

Is it legal to bay mountain lions with hounds up on the roof and take them with a bow?  Could be sporty on the Grizwalds roof around Christmas time.

[jrbows]

As long as Christmas lights don't spook them.

[vermonster13]

I'd like to hear also how you came about the DEC confirmation. They say this officially:

 http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/44564.html

Would be interesting to find out how funds to do such could have been legally appropriated.

[Steve Kendrot]

There's a sucker born every minute. I just thought they all shot compounds!

[woodchucker]

If Joe Skipp says it's true,believe it!!!!

His word has been Gospel around here for a long time (and I've personal known the man for many years)

[Steve Kendrot]

What about if joe skipp's neighbor's wife says it? Sorry but I hear these stories all the time and they never pan out. Till there's a carcass and DNA proves it's from wild stock I'm a skeptic. When I worked in the adirondacks the postmaster from star lake told me a pack of five black panthers took down a deer on main street. I've heard every wildlife conspiracy there is.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Give it up guys, Joe is a stand-up gentleman and I don't believe he'd give much heed to a bunch of fools.

Let me help you put it into perspective. I have spent my life in the back-country of California where we have LOTS of cats. You see their track, you see their kill, heck, sometimes you smell them. See them? In all my years, even as a wildland fire fighter DEEP in the sticks, the most I've ever caught was a wink at a cat. Elusive doesn't even come close to describing the nature of the puma.

I have no doubt they traverse every state in the union. I also have no doubt that they've been creeping in the east-coast woods for quite some time. Here's the kicker: if you're seeing them in the burbs, it's too late! That cat is hungry and he has no idea that YOU are dangerous. No history, no mother to teach it otherwise - in short, the cats are loosing their fear of man.

She is not alone, that's a fact. Spot her in broad daylight near homes and I'm telling you if someone doesn't shoot that lion you are going to start hearing about missing pets if not a whole lot worse.

[Keuka]

Big cats leave tracks and kills. If they are there, they'll leave sign.
They've been reported in our area for years and we have snow on the ground for months. Funny that they never seem to leave any tracks. The ones that live here must move down state for the winter!

[Brian Krebs]

There are lots of mountain lions here in Idaho; and in the 24 years I have lived here; I have seen less than ten.
 And I spend a LOT of time outside looking with binoculars.
 Most people that live here never see them ever.
Yet; my neighbor walked outside and found one eating her golden retriever.
 Sneaky creatures...

[GANGGREEN]

Joe may be a stand up guy and he may believe this but I don't.  It's very simple, I'd like to have the name of the DEC personnel that confirmed it or see a link to their press release with the confirmation.  I'm terribly sorry but this is bunk and I mean no offense to Joe in saying that.