We are seeing mountain lions and bobcats very often now. Over the 20 years we have lived here, I rarely saw cats, the past couple years, it is very often. I’ve seen several just from my desk walking up the road or across the orchard. Those lions are protected and have no predators anymore so are really multiplying.
Recently one was by the front door when another neighbor family arrived home. It was pretty aggressive and didn’t want to move, finally sundered way only to return a few minutes later.
When I saw the photo above I said out loud, “this could have been a child”. That deer is about the size of a couple dozen kids who enjoy playing outside on this beautiful mountain. Can’t be too careful.
The photo reminded me of Doc and Anne’s three mountain lions that jumped their 10 foot fence to take off with their chickens. Glad Doc was able to grab his gun on the way out the door to defend his livestock. Doc and Anne said they haven’t had lions in their yard since. They think it is important to make the visit unpleasant and loud so the lions might teach their young to stay away from that diner…
From: Mountain Neighbor – photo above
“… What an amazing picture I got on my game camera 2 days ago just 25 yards from my cabin. Three years of clearing brush and trying to improve the habitat for deer, just to have this guy poaching on our land. Doesn’t he know it’s not deer season. He don’t care. I read a mountain lion kills a deer or other large animal every week. No wonder there are no deer around here.”
I’ve been planning on turning around the photo but it became a top priority a few minutes ago when I saw a child hiking with his dad was attacked mid-afternoon today. Thankful the father was right there in the group of 10 people, throwing rocks. Glad to hear the little 4 year old should recover.
That link also mentions tips for dealing with lions.
Bonnie Phelps
Every Memorial Day Weekend for several decades, neighbors and friends have gathered for a great pancake breakfast along with the annual meeting of the PMPO.
