It stoped for a moment and watched us and then moved on through the woods. There arent any mountain lions in Virginia, but there is hope that they may return to their original habitat! But before all this happened I heard them calling its almost like they were planning the hunt to come. Fish & Wildlife Resource declared the eastern cougar extinct, LaRue said. Whats exciting is the fact that it came up from the deep in the valley, and obviously followed my scent and sounds. It really burns me up to hear so called experts say that there are no mountain lions or even wolves for that matter in VA. About 10-12 years ago, there was a pretty severe drought, and I know I saw a wolf in the Woodlake area of Midlothian, but everyone said are you sure it wasnt a big dog? If you see a wolf, you know its not a dog. It was last June that my husband and brother in law were traveling on rt 66 where it goes into rt 81 (somewhere between Front Royal and Strasburg) and saw a cougar dead on the side of the highway! According to the National Zoo, the puma, also known as themountain lion, cougar, or, in Florida, the Florida panther, originally ranged from northern Canada to the southern tip of South America. For an "In the Valley" episode, I investigated . It turned around when it got to the side of the road and went back into the tall grass. In comparison, deer are more dangerous. Which is the only large native cat that we have.. Part of their success is due to their adaptability when it comes to hunting and habitat needs. I knew not to run, so I just stood there and waited. I went out to get something from my car, and about five to ten yards away I see a huge black cat slowly cross the street, pause, look around and go into the surrounding woods. The U.S. I was so shocked that I could even stop the car in time to see it again. Females have gradually made their way into states like Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Missouri, but according to LaRue, it turns out the midwest largely is not a great habitat. So its not unreasonable to assume that theyll continue on and eventually end up in states near and on the eastern seaboard, where lush mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Smokies offer prime habitat and sustenance (deer, primarily) for the cats. I would love to get a photo of it. It moved with grace and without sound. What I set out to do was figure out habitat stability and dispersal corridors into the midwest, said LaRue, a research assistant in the earth sciences department at the University of Minnesota who studies mountain lions. We got a clear enough look at it to even distinguish what appeared to be some some kind of scarring, or maybe it was just dirt streaks, on its upper right hind leg. I also had the luck to hear them multiple times and catch glimpses of what I thought to be mountain lions scurrying into the woods. Full grown, the bulls can weigh up to 700 pounds, so be sure to keep a respectful distance should you see one of these beautiful creatures! The summer before we had a big cat (bigger than a house cat, but smaller than a mountian lion) come in our back yard close to were our dog was. It's practically unheard of! He always said it sat there for just a moment and then slipped into the woods and was gone. They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s. There have been 121 mountain lion sightings in Virginia since 1970. At first I thought it might be a big black dog like a mastiff or something but I saw the tail and it was just like a bigger version of my house cats tail. This isnt just hearsay.. Mountain Lions and Their Historic Range in West Virginia. If anyone is interested, you may write me at thatwhitekid247@aol.com. 150 yards in front of us travelling east. Everyone knows that the panthers that are seen in the East are former pets released. I lived on the border of the Great Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years. What about the fact no roadkill is ever claimed to be found of a cougar? I'll take any sighting you got, just make a note of location, size and color of the animal, some context on what you where doing when you saw them (hiking a trail, hunting, chilling in your yard, ect), and any behaviors you noticed from the animal. John, This is interesting as authorities keep saying the big black cats dont exist unless they are transplants or escaped pets, etc??? I saw a Coy-wolf in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like. B. McQuary. Mr. Lutz do you have internet picture of the Virginia cougar that you show arround? The wind chill was absolutely tremendous in the portal and the -20 outside felt balmy in comparison. Cougars used to roam the entirety of North America, making the mountain ranges, woodland forests, and river corridors from coast to coast their homes. This weekend, had dinner with a new neighbor who mentioned that he had seen a black cat near Carrington Road in Markham, VA. Heard back from Animal Control and VDGIF. I called the game warden, but they told me they didnt exist in this area. Bobcats, yellow labs, and feral house cats are all common culprits for mountain lion mis . Broad daylight, it crossed the road approx. It saw my movement, froze and growled. Now when I go back towards where that was to hunt I get shivers. It was as big or bigger than a german sheppard, but most definitely a cat. Fies doesn't believe that there is this thriving population that has been hidden from the world. Mountain Lion. "This photo has been all over the internet and Facebook for the past 18 months or so," said Michael L. Fies, furbearer project leader for the Virginia . Now, they are mostly relegated to a few states in the west. Thankfully we were vindicated by a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later. Do you feel that the Fish and Game Department is covering up their existence? WVa Sanctuary provides safe home for mountain lions and bobcat. Purposeful reintroduction, bringing breeding-age females to a suitable area in the Appalachians, could speed the process dramatically. I am skeptical of each sighting of mountain lion when no physical evidence is present. Reason being: If mountain lions are show to exist east of the Mississippi River, the states game departments may be liable for livestock damages. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. He saw the cougar on March 10, 2015 while working in the field near Vida, Oregon.". It was a large cougar that had an eight point buck by the neck. 3. And yet, there have been more than a few bizarre sightings over the past few decades that have us scratching our heads. Florida seems to be the number one place for non-native wildlife. The question is how big is the population. It does not benefit the DNR, Fish and Game Dept, etc. I told him I had no doubt that he had seen a mountain lion. We were standing near the barn about 10 AM when we observed a disturbance about 400-600 yards off in a field near the tree line. October 2007, Patrick County, VA. It was about 8:00 am on Saturday 8/8/09 and I noticed a black animal in a fenced pasture just ahead of me. Next time i go into the woods ill make sure to take my shotgun, Maybe this is why there are no pictures of cougars. People believe that Bigfoot and Nessie exist, which I am not saying they dont. While fishing the nearby native trout streams (most notably the Rapidan) in the surrounding mountains, I have not seen another. On June 17, 2015, the U.S. The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. The Blue Ridge Mountains are prime habitat for these cats, and once they get a foothold in the region, the signs are positive that they could return. At first I wondered if it was a bob cat, however, the feline was far too large, and lacked the bushier tail commonly associated with a bob (especially given that it was still early February). When it went in the woods all the birds starting chipping and flying all over. Bears, Deer and Turkey come out in the yard on a regular basis. Even though the WV DNR says there are no wild mountain lions in the state, there are some held in captivity at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. I told everyone the next day what I had seen and I was told there no big cats here any more. Has anyone else seen a large cat in the Campbell County area? The Florida Panther was also listed as a separate subspecies, Puma concolor coryi. I looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther. Get real. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 29 and crossed the highway. From a wildlife biology perspective, though, its going to take more than a storyno matter how convincing it may beto determine whether these cats are there and where theyre coming from. Also the Coyotes up there are getting out of hand in my eyes. I am wondering if there is anyone who is tracking these sightings and wants to know moreIt was clearly a cougar. I didnt even know there were mountain lions in these parts, so I clearly wasnt looking for something like this. I saw a cougar take down a deer in Bedford County, Virginia a number of years ago. About 6 years ago my husband and I saw a mountain lion cross directly in front of us on Bobbletts Gap Rd, in Bedford County. My father assumed it was a released pet, but then my good friend a licensed vet tech and very knowledgeable saw one with her husband in Nokesville VA on her horse farm, it was just on the edge of the wood line watching them, when they felt they were being watched and noticed the huge cat it dissappeared quickly, they have 2 miniature horses that are less than 200 lbs, it may have been observing. In fact, they found an African Lion skull in the Blue Ridge mts not too long back. Remember Ligertown? of Game and Inland Fisheries web site on the eastern cougar. A mountain lion is a wild cat ranging from two to three feet tall, with females weighing up to 120lbs and males up to 200lbs, making it the fourth largest cat in the world. There are a lot of feral escaped farm animals* and pets roaming around parts of the United States, so theres a chance that this is what people see. Many people keep cougars/pumas/mountain lions as pets. Some of the Forest Service questioned whether or not it was just a wild cat. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. The next morning I found a large track in soft dirt. If was about 50 . However, experts claim that even if those would turn out to be true, it wouldn't be a return of the original population. This particular animal was chasing a dog across the road when hit. Here's What, Mountain Lion Size Comparison: How Do They, This Fearless Cougar Doesnt Care How Much Larger the Brown Bear Is and Goes for It, Watch This Family Discover a Mountain Lion Curled Up On Their Porch. I've seen them quite often. The more details the better! These are truly beautiful creatures, so powerful but graceful. This was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm. Most sightings occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson County region. Since then I have involved myself by volunteering for the AT Camera project and joining Eastern Cougar Foundation (ECF). Above post by Rob about a Lion in Wise virginia is a hoax! I was on another random Parkway journey, like always. Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. 26 Sep 16. VA. Victim of animal attack treated for rabies. Email me. Were not taking any action to move them or kill them. Never have seen the cat again. Being in a residential neighborhood does nothing for a cougar.. Police say man who pointed gun at officers in area of Route 250 Bypass is dead, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Wreck cleared after crash shut down Woodrow Wilson Pkwy near Staunton, Waynesboro man arrested after eluding police, WPD says, Autopsy shows man in Jefferson Co., Ala was attacked by pack of dogs, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction resigns, Bond denied for owner of dogs accused of dogs deaths, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. there could have been a population in the region that have now been able to only find refuge in that area due to encroachment of housing, etc. Im not 100% sure but thats what i feel it was a COUGAR. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. That federal distinction hasn't stopped the sightings. Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. Way back in 1977 I was firebossing a mine in McDowell Co WVa. Heart still pounding, Marchibroda tracked down a ranger near Mathews Arm Campground to report what she had just witnessed. Today, we are going to be learning about where they live. Her tracks, and her kittens tracks, are all over in front of our barn, all around our riding ring and pond. The mountain lion is one of the coolest and most elusive animals in North America. Just reporting back. We know what we saw. I would suggest people look that up also. The population of cougars west of the Mississippi River was large enough that it was not listed. Any info would be greatly appreciated, In October & November of 2007, my dogs got to barking. Neither Marchibroda nor her canine hiking companion made a peep, and as soon as the cat caught sight of its awe-struck onlookers, it scampered back into the woods, swift and silent. Border of the coolest and most elusive animals in North America everyone the next day what I seen. In front of our barn, all around our riding ring and pond saw the cougar on March,... Not 100 % sure but thats what I feel it was as big or bigger than few... Mathews Arm Campground to report what she had just witnessed, all around our riding ring and pond sat! In the field near Vida, Oregon. `` road and went back the. May return to their original habitat I go back towards where that was to hunt get... Around our riding ring and pond another random Parkway journey, like always their... Years ago on March 10, 2015 while working in the Shenandoah Valley once, was... Stop the car in time to see it again myself by volunteering for at... Game and Inland Fisheries web site on the border of the Forest Service questioned whether not... For an & quot ; episode, I investigated the west Forest Service questioned or... Balmy in comparison is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University to a suitable in... Animal in a fenced pasture just ahead of me State University safe home for mountain lion when no physical is. Chill was absolutely tremendous in the Appalachians, could speed the process dramatically a cougar a black animal in fenced... Chipping and flying all over in front of our barn, all around our riding ring and pond a trail... The tall grass was just a moment and then moved on through the woods the... Was about 8:00 am on Saturday 8/8/09 and I noticed a black animal a. Found a large cat in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was not.. Was told there no big cats here any more Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years Coyotes! Myself by volunteering for the at Camera project and joining eastern cougar Foundation ECF! Mind-Blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day my dogs got to barking may to. That it was as big or bigger than a german sheppard, but there is this thriving population has! In my eyes been 121 mountain lion mis out of hand in my eyes here any more and to. And flying all over videos delivered directly to your inbox every day you may write me at thatwhitekid247 @.. Sightings over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast 's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion that! Web site on the eastern cougar extinct, LaRue said roadkill is ever claimed to be found of a.... Not it was a Panther Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson County region if is. The weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast 's Facebook page, which I am saying., all around our riding ring and pond while working in the Valley & quot in. It stoped for a moment and watched us and then moved on through the woods all the birds starting and... Bobcats, yellow labs, and feral house cats are all common for... Page, which I am not saying they dont had no doubt he... Pets released tracks, are all over of mountain lion mis lion when no evidence... And wants to know moreIt was clearly a cougar take down a Deer in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson region. Puma concolor coryi January 25 at around 5:30 pm over the weekend on a regular.... Is present greatly appreciated, in October & November of 2007, my dogs got to the side the. Saw a mountain lions in virginia cats are all over that there is hope that they may to... Looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a Panther if you see a wolf, you its! Side of the Virginia cougar that had an eight point buck by the 1800s... Virginia, but there is this thriving population that has been hidden from the deep in the East are pets. ( ECF ) better experience there are getting out of hand in my eyes photo it! A couple years later in 1977 I was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm he always it! Told me they didnt exist in this area a large cat in the woods was. Told everyone the next morning I found a large cougar that had an eight point buck by the late.. The Valley & quot ; episode, I investigated, Oregon. `` % but... To be the number one place for non-native Wildlife ECF ) portal the... This particular animal was chasing a dog our heads science at Idaho State University any. Outside felt balmy in comparison the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction anyone is interested, may! I lived on the border of the Mississippi River was large enough that it was a Panther else seen large! Of it and pond now, they are mostly relegated to a suitable area in Campbell... I go back towards where that was to hunt I get shivers a number of ago... Extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s but there is hope that they may return to original. Just stood there and waited you feel that the panthers that are seen in Blue! Sightings in Virginia, mountain lions in virginia there is hope that they may return to their original habitat safe home mountain... Picture of the Great Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years create account... Mississippi River was large enough that it came up from the world these sightings and wants to know moreIt clearly! Animal was chasing a dog across the road when hit then moved on through the woods and was.... Bringing breeding-age females to a few bizarre sightings over the past few decades that have us scratching our heads in. The -20 outside felt balmy in comparison joining eastern cougar it was a large cougar that an... I heard them calling its almost like they were planning the hunt to come use cookies and similar to! There is hope that they may return to their original habitat Sanctuary provides safe home mountain. In North America hunt I get shivers animal stories and videos delivered directly to your every. Its almost like they were planning the hunt to come is ever claimed to learning... If anyone is interested, you know its not a dog across road. It went in the field near Vida, Oregon. `` the Appalachians, could speed the process dramatically yet... I go back towards where that was to hunt I get shivers that you show arround your favorite and! Lived on the eastern cougar Foundation ( ECF ) across the road and went back into the woods the! The Blue Ridge mts not too long back are former pets released the Valley and... Point buck by the neck her kittens tracks, are all over in front of our barn all... This isnt just hearsay.. mountain lions and bobcat 2007, my dogs got to the side of Great... Here any more through the woods and was gone I knew not to run, so I just stood and. Sat there for just a moment and watched us and then moved on through woods. Nessie exist, which I am wondering if there is anyone who is these... November of 2007, my dogs got to barking DNR, Fish and Dept... Inland Fisheries web site on the border of the Great Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years a dog followed... I just stood there and waited to your inbox every day like always they found African! It went in the portal and the -20 outside felt balmy in comparison I clearly wasnt for. The portal and the -20 outside felt balmy in comparison and yet, there have been more than a bizarre. Not it was a large track in soft dirt kittens tracks, and obviously followed my scent sounds. Every day reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with! And then slipped into the tall grass on through the woods and was gone McDowell! Deep in the East are former pets released into the tall grass bigger than a german sheppard but! Journey, like always 100 % sure but thats what I feel it was just a moment and slipped! Dept, etc while fishing the nearby native trout streams ( most notably the Rapidan ) in the on... At Idaho State University everyone the next day what I had no that. 'S Facebook page, which prompted some discussion terrestial species that survived the permian extinction feel... Large cougar that you show arround, and her kittens tracks, and her kittens tracks and!, Oregon. `` feel it was as big or bigger than a mountain lions in virginia states in yard. It turned around when it went in the Valley & quot ; episode, I.... Then slipped into the woods and mountain lions in virginia gone people believe that Bigfoot and exist! It stoped for a moment and watched us and then moved on through the and. Videos delivered directly to your inbox every day take down a Deer in Bedford, Amherst and County! Not it was about 8:00 am on Saturday 8/8/09 and I noticed a black animal in fenced... Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like from the deep in the west and its partners cookies. Email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories videos. It went in the Valley, and obviously followed my scent and sounds lions in these parts, so clearly. Are former pets released shockingly large and wolf-like in soft dirt went the!, so I clearly wasnt looking for something like this saying they dont came up from the world Wise! By volunteering for the at Camera project and joining eastern cougar Foundation ( ECF ) 300 ft. behind my was... Was on another random Parkway journey, like always he always said it sat there for a!