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Mountain Lion Sighting
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Tom from Baton Rouge on 4/4/2012 7:41:26 AM:
While riding between Rocheport & Hartsburg on 4/3/12 we stopped at the Eagle Bluffs Overlook. Sue, being in better shape than I, had enough energy to climb the steps to the overlook. As she neared the top she clearly saw a large wildcat loping towards her. She calmly but quickly retreated back to the trail. I originally suspected she saw a bobcat. Once we arrived at our destination we looked at several pictures and videos of both bobcats & mountain lions, and she is absolutely sure it was a mountain lion. They are beautiful animals, and have just as much (or more) right to be there. I would suggest that anyone traveling off the beaten path on foot make lots of noise so as not to surprise one of these beautiful but potentially dangerous fellow creatures.
 
SalsaBoy from Farmington, AR on 4/4/2012 11:55:44 AM:
Here in Arkansas, in spite of numerous sightings, pictures of paw prints, etc., the "Official" Ark Game and Fish Commission's position on mountain lions is that they don't exist in the wild unless they were a pet that was released into that enviroment. Whether or not that is true, I don't know. I think they take that position because they don't have any money allocated to "manage" them, so they choose to not manage them. I suspect the situation in Missouri is similar.
 
Trek on 4/4/2012 2:34:41 PM:
Until just the last few years or so, the Missouri Department of Conservation held a similar position on mountain lions. I think their reasoning was without substantial proof of their existance it was prudent to just deny that one was seen. They've made several people look like fools who claimed that they saw a big cat.

There was a good article in a very recent Missouri Conservationist magazine about mountain lions in the state. So now, we've acknowledged that they exist and are most often males that are extending their territory from western states.

If you see one, it's best to not run and start their chase instinct. Dog like to do the same, but often times we like to ride fast or run to get away. Raise your arms to make yourself look bigger, do not make eye contact and make noise.

 
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 4/4/2012 4:33:40 PM:
The other thing to be careful about is carrying a backpack. Out West, where the attacks are more frequent, they warn that backpacks appear to the mountain lions to be children = easy prey.
 
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