Cougar killing horses

[Dozernut]

We are having a problem here that the DNR says does not exist. A Cougar has been killing horses in my neighborhood. The last one that I know about was two miles from my house and another at about 10 miles. The Amish have been having trouble with something scaring the horses so bad they are busting through the gate.
The horses killed are badly clawed and very large cat prints are left behind. They had an organized hunt for the cat but had no luck. I think it will take trained cat dogs to have any success, these cats are smart and elusive.
My wife heard a large cat take a deer in our woods last year. She heard a large cat growl and a deer bleating, so now if we go into the woods we have a gun handy. Sure never thought we would have this problem here, but here we are.

 

[TripleR]

One was captured in a live trap a couple of counties over from me and DNA tests showed it was wild and not a released pet. DNR released it.

 

[k0ua]

One was captured in a live trap a couple of counties over from me and DNA tests showed it was wild and not a released pet. DNR released it.

Then it went right on over to Illinois and started in horse killing.

 

[Mousefield]

We have a large amount of cougars and black bears on our island (12,407 square miles). "Vancouver Island, Canada has the highest concentration of Mountain Lions (Cougars) in North America and right now their numbers are at an all time high". For the most part they stay in the wild as there are lots of deer and other wildlife for them. Occasionally they do go after livestock and even people (usually kids). We carry bear spray a lot of the time we are outside. We have had (seen) cougars twice on our place and once on the road to our place. Keeping a gun handy in your case is a good idea.

 

[TripleR]

Then it went right on over to Illinois and started in horse killing.

I don't know what their range is, but I am only a few miles from the Mississippi River and Illinois. It would be hard to imagine we would have them and Illinois wouldn't. Now I refuse to go into Illinois, but Mountain Lions may not mind.

 

[schweizer]

Don't walk alone at night without some sort of protection, at least in our area. If a cougar is seen in daylight it has become accustomed to humans and needs to be removed (not just relocated). If it is killing livestock, the farmer eliminates it. Just don't tell Fish & Game, but around here it doesn't matter. They (F&G) are on the side of the ranchers.

 

[Mousefield]

I don't know what their range is, but I am only a few miles from the Mississippi River and Illinois. It would be hard to imagine we would have them and Illinois wouldn't. Now I refuse to go into Illinois, but Mountain Lions may not mind.

Cougars can have a large hunting area and can travel many miles in a day.

 

[BrianDT]

That would be a serious hunt for a dog. especially at night.

 

[TripleR]

Cougars can have a large hunting area and can travel many miles in a day.

I wonder if this is changed by the ready availability of prey in the form of domestic livestock as no "hunting" would be required?

They are rare here, but a bill has been introduced to allow them to be shot on sight. MDC has a position to not allow a viable breeding population to become established.

We have had bears come through, but I haven't seen any indications of Mountain Lions.

 

[chesaw]

Here in northern Washinton we have alot of Cougers, Once they
find a easy food source, like calfs or horse's the need to be destroyed
or they will keep coming back for more or move to another farm and
continue there killing.
Wayne