Man walking with wife shoots mountain lion near New Castle
By Phillip Yates, Glenwood Springs Post-Independent
Published August 7, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
Updated August 7, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
NEW CASTLE — A man shot and killed a mountain lion north of New Castle Tuesday night after the animal came too close to him and his wife, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Randy Hampton, a spokesman for the DOW, said the agency received a call about the shooting a little after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The man and his wife were out for a walk in the area when the mountain lion came out of the brush and was in a "crouch position," Hampton said. The couple's names were not immediately available late Wednesday.
"(The mountain lion) began to approach them," he said. "The husband was carrying a firearm, and he shot and killed the lion as it got really close."
The animal was about 6 feet away from the couple when the man shot it, Hampton said. He added that the couple tried to scare the mountain lion away by screaming at it, but that the animal continued to approach.
The man said he had no other choice but to shoot the animal, Hampton said.
"He handled the interaction properly," he said. "They were certainly scared from the incident."
Neither the man nor his wife were injured, and no charges are expected to be filed, Hampton said.
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August 7, 2008
8:45 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Finally, a justified killing of wildlife.
August 7, 2008
8:51 a.m.
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Blondo writes:
How did this guy happen to have a gun on him? Clearly, it was lucky for them, but just interesting that he had the gun with him.
August 7, 2008
8:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
mt writes:
People carry guns for this reason. Good law abiding citizens that fear for their safety from the wild animals and the criminals on the street. It is legal. I carry a pistol every time I go into the woods. You live in Colorado and there are bears, wild dogs, wolves, and lions that are higher up on the food chain then you are. How would you not go into the woods without one? Now these people get to live their lives instead of being another statistic. I hate to see animals killed but some times it is justified and this appears to be one of those times.
August 7, 2008
9 a.m.
Suggest removal
OneCreek writes:
"Sensible thinking" is why he had a gun on him. In town, out of town, wherever - predators, whether bipedal or quadrapedal, take full advantage of those less or unable to defend themselves.
August 7, 2008
9:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
willyc15 writes:
Do you think the guy said “Baby, wanna go for a walk? I’m gonna bring my .45 with us!”??
August 7, 2008
9:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
pinewood writes:
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
Being prepared and taking responsibility for your safety pays off. Unfortunate for the mountain lion, but self defense is a human right.
August 7, 2008
9:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
ggonzo writes:
Poor Mountain Lion!!! Now We're in there back yards!!! What do ypu do!!!
August 7, 2008
9:08 a.m.
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FCZ writes:
" When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. "
August 7, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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TatMat76 writes:
Taking a walk outside of New Castle and needing to carry a gun with you seems a little odd. Good thing he did I guess, but he was walking outside New Castle not five points.
August 7, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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coloradovet writes:
I wonder if one of those loud air horns they use for quieting dogs would have worked as well.
August 7, 2008
9:30 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
@ 6 foot from a mountain lion, nothing works better than a gun.
August 7, 2008
9:31 a.m.
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coloradovet writes:
hahaha good point
August 7, 2008
9:33 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
"I wonder if one of those loud air horns they use for quieting dogs would have worked as well."
Yeah... probably as well as the shrieking and screaming worked so well for Timothy Treadwell as the grizzly was eating him.
And I'm sure that a mountain lion has NEVER heard any of its victims letting out loud sounds as it is attacking them.
Here's an idea.... tie an animal rights nut to a tree. Hang raw meat around their neck and have them hold an air horn. If a mountain lion attacks, they can try the air horn to see if it just triggers the attack instincts in the animal.... or not.
August 7, 2008
9:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
pinewood writes:
TatMat76 - Unfortunately we don't get to choose when and by whom we are attacked. So carrying a gun for personal protection is just like carrying your wallet and car keys when you go out. A person is not likely to be attacked by a mountian lion in Five Points. If we can pick and choose when we are going to be attacked, the wise thing to do would be to just not go there. But life isn't so predicable.
It might also seem odd to carry a fire extinguisher in a car becuase it normally doesn't catch on fire. But having the proper safety tools available in the slim likelyhood that tragedy strikes can be a life saver.
August 7, 2008
9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
hey rick, it's well known among hikers that air horns work on bears, so it's reasonable to suggest they might on mountain lions.
August 7, 2008
10 a.m.
Suggest removal
Keno33 writes:
Anyone who thinks an air horn will work on a lion has never been in the woods. Lion could care less if his meal makes noise.
10 to 1 there was either a fresh kill near by or if it was a female she could have been defending her young. Wounder if a search of the area was made?
The most affective action would have been to fire a shot near the lion, this probably would have done the trick, but when your faced with a crouching preditor warning shots are the last thing your thinking.
There are a lot of carry permits in this state, most of us go armed for this very reason. If you go into the wild un-armed and un-prepared you take your chances.
August 7, 2008
10:01 a.m.
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coloradovet writes:
How about a taser
August 7, 2008
10:03 a.m.
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coloradovet writes:
oh, and that's great, now there are young mountain lion cubs left to starve!
August 7, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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whazzamattau writes:
Coloradovet: It seems you are all too willing to condemn the person that defended himself and his wife from a mountain lion. Your almost silly questions about using an air horn or a taser are laughable if it weren't sheer terror these people were facing. What is it about self defense that you don't get? May we send you out to New Castle with an air horn and a taser and see how you fare? Your concerns seem much more directed toward the mountain lion than the welfare of the person who acted in justified self defense. Remember, it's the people that own these animals that you treat that pay for your services. Yes, I love animals too, but I'm not real keen about being killed by one. Get a grip!
August 7, 2008
10:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
7_ogNiOj writes:
Be a man and do paw-to-hand combat. Wimpy humans and their guns.
August 7, 2008
10:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
MTN_Frank writes:
I agree with Keno33 that the lion had a kill or cubs nearby and was just backing them off. Wasn't there though. If they were the target of attack I doubt they would have known the lion was there until the last second. Mtn. lions are stealth hunters and the unlucky prey is usually surprised.
August 7, 2008
10:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
It's impractical on a hike to carry leg of lamb to offer a hungry cat or bear, or even leg of liberal. I would not bet my life on a can of compressed air. This is the third mountain lion in as many days. I have to throw in with the concealed carry gun crazies on this one. Nor would I hesitate to fire at a pit bull or offer it juicy marbled liberal.
August 7, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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coloradovet writes:
whazzamat, read the article. They had time and even tried to scare the animal away. Then, it continued to approach. My point is there are all kinds of proven tactics that work other than killing an animal. I understand that these people weren't carrying an air horn or taser, but maybe for most outdoors people who don't carry firearms with them, air horns or tasers could be a solution. My bet is that the air horn would have worked if they had one and they wouldn't of had to use a firearm!
August 7, 2008
11:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mtn__Gator writes:
coloradovet writes
My bet is that the air horn would have worked if they had one and they wouldn't of had to use a firearm!
Why bet with your life? That's a bet I am not willing to take, why don't you go do it? I would say in the game of life, .45cal is the royal strait flush, wins everytime. I really can't beleive you people who think something other than a gun would have been appropriate with your life in danger. This cat obviously was not there to play games with air horns or tazers.
August 7, 2008
11:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
whazzamattau writes:
coloradovet: I read the article. This couple did not sit down with the mountain lion and play a game of bridge while they negotiated with it as to whether they were its next prey or not. The time they had was probably less than a few seconds. Take your air horn out there and troll around with a juicy leg of lamb and see how things work out for you. Be sure and write back and let us know how it went...Oh, and by the way, take a taser along, too.
August 7, 2008
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
Take the gun out of this story and the likely headline would read "Man dies saving wife from mountain lion".
August 7, 2008
11:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
Use a taser on a mountain lion? coloradovet, I usually agree with your missives but I think you missed this by a mile. Personally, I don't want to be within shooting distance of one of those critters much less taser distance. If you miss with the taser you very well are the victim and the headline woud read "Man dies from attack by mountain lion while wife runs to safety while trying to call the authorities on her cell phone."
I hate to use a bad analogy but, "Look at the dumb hiker, he brought an airhorn to a (gun) claws and teeth fight."
I'll take the .45 anyday. It's obvious that there is an interesting dynamic occurring here. As an earlier poster said, "this is three mountain lion stories in three days." The question is what, in nature, is causing these cats into this more agressive than normal behavior. I've seen more cats in the high country this year than I've seen in my life. Though none of them acted agressively towards me I felt somewhat safer knowing that I was armed. Cats are intelligent hunters. They will stalk their prey as surrepticiously as possible, using the element of surprise in a blitz-cat attack.
August 7, 2008
11:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
Deckert writes:
I really don't understand this irrational discussion regarding the gentleman carrying a firearm and using it to defend himself and another from a dangerous animal.
Fact is, I legally carry a firearm everywhere I can, and I generally don't go to places where I can't do so. See me at the movies? Shopping in Target? On my everyday hike? No difference, I have a firearm on me to protect myself from dangerous predators... two legs or four legs. They leave me alone, I leave them alone. What can possibly be wrong with that?
August 7, 2008
11:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
SockRayBlue writes:
Mountain lions are more prevalent this time of year because the young, stupid and lame animals have been eaten. Logic demands that we are just beneath the young, stupid and lame the menu.
I also carry a .45, but my biggest problem is badgers and raccoons. The badgers dig holes like crazy and the 'coons eat the sweet corn.
August 7, 2008
11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
"How about a taser"
ROFLMAO!
Great Ideas From the Animal Rights Nuts on How To Defend Yourself from Mountain Lion Attacks......
1. Use JUDO! A quick grab and throw technique would have protected the rights of the mountain lion. Not too hard though. You don't want to make the animal rights nuts angry because you're "rough housing" with the animal.
2. Use Personal Counseling! A few sessions of lying on a couch, having the mountain lion explain its feelings as a young cub would have allowed it to get in touch with its inner-feline.
3. Use 911! I'm sure the mountain lion wouldn't mind waiting 30 minutes for an officer to arrive on the scene.
4. Use a Congressional Hearing on Whether Mountain Lions Should Attack! That will allow the fatcats (pun intended) to hear all the testimony and pose for the media.
5. Use singing Kumbaya with the mountain lion in the spirit of inter-species harmony! And afterward, you can exchange beads and sandals with the mountain lion as symbols of your new found harmony with nature.
August 7, 2008
12:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
rickg - yeah I like your ideas!
SockRayBlue - Where do you live that you have badgers? I've never encountered one in Colorado. They are nasty s-u-c-k-ers!
August 7, 2008
12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
NotUrFriend writes:
The man took the right choice. If my woman's life was threatened by a dangerous animal, that would not back off despite several attampts, I'd gun it down as well. Poor cat. But it was a necessary evil.
I.
August 7, 2008
12:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
Coloradovet......"it's well known among hikers that air horns work on bears"
Perhaps for those bears who do not want to attack in the first place.
The problem is when the bear wants to attack. Every single victim of a bear attack has screamed and shrieked to the maximum, and it didn't stop the mauling. Timothy Treadwell refused to carry a firearm too. Those loud noises he tried were heard by the bear. And ignored because the bear was too focused on eating Treadwell.
As this story shows.... they tried to scare the mountain lion off, but it chose to move closer to them. It obviously wasn't interested in being scared off.
Here's the test for ya. We set up two separate cages with a hungry mountain lion in each cage. You enter one cage with an air horn. I enter a cage with a firearm. We'll see which one of us comes out. And which one ends up becomes mountain lion dung.
Carry your air horn. And we'll all hope that you don't end up like Treadwell..... a guy who thought that nature was peaceful, and that firearms are not needed in the world of fuzzy, fluffy, cuddle-muffins like mountain lions and bears.
August 7, 2008
12:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
Here are other tips for dealing with a mountain lion attack:
Look a lion in the eye(s)
Make loud, firm noises: You may even show your teeth and make snarling sounds
Make yourself look big
Raise your coat, jacket, or any clothing with your arms
Stand up straight, and swell your chest
Children with no adult should always be in a group and should bunch together
Adults pull children close to appear larger and to prevent them from running
Without kneeling, pull a small child on your shoulders to appear larger
You may back away slowly, if you feel you can retreat
Use anything available as a weapon if the lion displays aggression
but *generally not if you must turn your back, crouch, kneel, or bend over to get one
Carry mace or pepper spray where you can easily reach it
Use fists, sticks, rocks, tools, a pocket knife, a bicycle,
whatever you can hit with, throw, and/or use as a shield
Target an eye with your thumbs, fingers, or a weapon
August 7, 2008
12:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
navymom writes:
Thank God it wasn't a crow!
August 7, 2008
12:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
freedomfighter1 writes:
Or.....shoot the damn thing. Look as many of you know I am pretty liberal. I was upset when DOW killed the few animals a few weeks ago, one for doing nothing other than being in a tree. I was against the 18 year old who ran over the bird this week.
To the other liberals and animal lovers, its one thing to be compassionate and thoughtful about nature, its another thing to care so much that you get killed by the animal you care so dearly about. You have to use common sence when taking a position on something, its comments like those above which help discredit other liberal stances.
August 7, 2008
12:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
Ok, I'm going to argue this one. We got more people than ever choosing to live in these wild animals backyard, shrinking the size of their habitat. In this modern day, we have non-lethal, EFFECTIVE methods of dealing with wildlife BESIDES exterminating them. If were going to coexist, we need to do so prepared and peacefully. It's called RESPECTING nature! When you see a Bear at Yellowstone, do you shoot it too? What a waste of a beautiful cat, who could of had cubs back in the den.
August 7, 2008
12:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
4gColoNative writes:
The story doesn't say if the people continued their "walk in the area." That's what's really important here ... that they get to take their walk.
In all my life, I don't remember ANY stories of Colorado mtn lion attacks of two adults together. It just doesn't happen. Plenty of 3- to 7-year-old children getting nabbed. Plus the occasional 105 lb. female jogger getting attacked.
I suspect this guy was *hoping* for the chance to blow an animal away. He knows the area and probably has seen this particualr animal before.
August 7, 2008
12:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
MsValeriah writes:
As much as I disagree with rickg19611, flyfishdude and those like them, and abhor their philosophies regarding wildlife, I have to say this guy did what it seemed he had to do to defend his wife and himself.
It's very sad that there might have been cubs nearby, but from the sound of this article, the guy only had a split second to make a choice. He did what he thought was right, and I can't blame him for making the choice he did.
August 7, 2008
1 p.m.
Suggest removal
freedomfighter1 writes:
Coloradovet
I agree, we have moved into their area. I guess next time we can only hope that the indivduals try your method. If these two would have been killed, but had the gun-would your position change?
August 7, 2008
1:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
4gColoNative
You obviously have never been in a situation with a mountain lion. Morever, you "suspect this guy was hoping for the chance to blow an animal away"? How senseless is that statement? It is pretty easy to sit in your arm chair and judge this guy. I for one, do not go on hikes or to the mountains without personal protection. Not just from animals, but from all the "nasties" out there looking to kill, rape, and destroy. People are not safe anywhere anymore. But, back to the story. Even if the mountain lion had cubs near by or it was protecting what it killed to eat, the lion is still going to defend its ground. And there is nothing you can do about it. If you are ever in that situation, you better have more than an airhorn.
August 7, 2008
1:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
4GNative, How many cases have you read of a Mtn Lion going through the door of a house and nabbing a Lab?
I agree that it would be highly unusual for this to occur.
The 1 thing that I think we can all agree on is the fact that we were not there.
Armchair QBing is great for smashing Shanahan, Hurdle, and Karl......but this is taking it a bit too far.... We know (or think we do) the traits of the coaches, their tendencies.
Some here are willing to bet Mr Hampton and his wifes and others lives based upon what they felt should have done. You nor I were there to see or identify the risks at that time. Hell I could say that I most definately would have shot the lion..........but the truth is, I would not know what I would Actually do until it happened. I may have shot the lion, or just as likely had to come up with the story that the lion Actually had posession of a portable "BROWN NOTE" devise and that is why I crapped my pants........ :-)
Again unless you are in the situation, any option, any assumption.....is exactly that: an assumption of what you would do or should have done.....
CMON now do you really think that the RMN would pass up a SENSATIONALISTIC fact that the lion was female and had young ones? No Way!
August 7, 2008
1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
For those of you who respect nature and don't want the mountain lion to end up on the endangered species list, you can order bear spray at the link below:
http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/bearsp...
August 7, 2008
1:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
I am getting tired of reading about malevolent mountain lions encroaching on humans. All these pernicious pumas have got to go! Once upon a time, they had their place, but they have outlived their usefulness. With the robotic capabilities we have nowadays, taxidermists should be able to produce plenty of lifelike animated models for zoos and other human entertainment purposes, without us having to worry about some crazed cougar cunningly sizing us up for dinner. Get Homeland Security out here, call it an anti-terrorism training exercise, and let's get rid of 'em once and for all.
August 7, 2008
1:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Yes Colovet, those strategies usually work. From the story it looks like they used a few forms of what you have described. The lion did NOT back off. Again all talk of tasers, horns, can be useful, but not 100% guaranteed.
Hey the chokecherries should be ripe and ready for picking. Good sites in N.W. Montana. Bring your horns and taser. We can test those items out on a different kind of bear. Not quite as cute and cuddly as the one we all saw running through the Broadmoar last week..........
btw I will be on the hill above videotaping as proof that your ideas are sound and 100% guaranteed....
Actually Colovet, I would never do that...... I would never endanger yours or any other lives with such a stunt. I would hope you would not "bet" anyones life either........ Truly Thanks for the dialogue Colovet
August 7, 2008
1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
mt writes:
Do any of you taser or horn freaks have any idea how fast a lion is. Do you think you can make yourself big enough to look larger then say an eight hundred pound elk? Have you ever seen any film on cougars attacking prey? They can break the neck of the deer or elk with one swat if they wished. You don't run from this animal. Making noise has a small chance of detering the animal if the animal wants to stay away from you. The lion knew the people were there and apparently had no illusions of running away. If the lion is already set on attacking you there is nothing to do but fight. I don't know many people that will win in hand to paw combat with a lion. Sticking up for animals is great but I think some of you need to use some common sense. You hate the guy for killing the lion but you would have sadly sent your regrets if he were to have been the one killed. Lions aren't selective of just children and small women. They have killed and or mauled grown men on bikes in California. What makes you think they won't do it here. Possibly the lion was hungry, possibly he had cubs or a kill. We may never know but we can't fault the guy for saving his and his wifes life using a proven method rather then trying some outlandish gimmick that may or may not have worked. The taser idea is laughable at best. Lions and other wildlife are afraid of people for a reason. They should be. When they lose that fear only bad things can happen. This time it happened to the lion. Time for a reality check for many of you.
August 7, 2008
1:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Nice one Colovet.
First making an outright claim that the Mtn Lion shot had young.
Second stating that 1 civilian shot 1 mtn lion and that we need to buy pepper spray to keep them off of the Endangered Species list?????
Want to borrow my camera so that we can film 2nd graders and we can even make them cry when talking about the slaughter of our mtn lions. Shall I pinch them or do you want to? Your movie...your call
August 7, 2008
1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
FACT: Man shot lion when at 6 FT distance (read article)
FACT: Bear spray effective at 30FT distance
FACT: Hunters in Alaska have to carry bear spray (law)
FACT: If Bear spray effective against bear, extremely effective against mountain lion
August 7, 2008
1:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
FACT: COLORADOVET WANTS TO GET EATEN BY MOUNTAIN LION
August 7, 2008
1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Yea FishDude Like MsValorie stated I disagree with you.
Badgers are cute cuddly little fellas. You just have to know how to pet them. Wait till they go down their hole......and then give them a good ol butt rub like you would do your Lab or Golden<place your breed here>
They love it. Badgers are sooooo misunderstood :-) :-)
August 7, 2008
1:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ahab337 writes:
FACT: I have a sandwhich
FACT: I am at the top of the food chain
FACT: I eat the sandwhich
August 7, 2008
1:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
freedomfighter1 writes:
BigD
You sound like a libertarian.
Vote Libertarian!
August 7, 2008
1:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Fact: Hunters in Alaska carry weapons
Rumor: Hunter drops weapons, digs through backpack/fannypack...etc to spray charging bear
Fact; Bear spray effective to 30ft
Rumor: Effective=100% guaranteed
August 7, 2008
1:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Now your talking freedomfighter
August 7, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
whazzamattau writes:
Coloradovet misrepresents the truth when he overstates the effectiveness of pepper spray. The reason hunters in Alaska must carry pepper spray is because some nut job group of politicians made it illegal for them a shot the bear if it threatens them. Coloradovet, I'm still waiting for you to tie a nice juicy lamb chop around your neck and venture out with your pepper spray...and don't forget your taser either.
August 7, 2008
1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
Fact: Man with gun kills threatening mountain lion and lives to walk another day.
August 7, 2008
1:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
sldfkd writes:
Look at it this way: If I get too close to the mountain lion's mate, he'll rip me to shreds, right? He won't just incapacitate me, or spray pepper spray at me, he'll eat me. So, if he gets too close to my girl, well, he'd better watch out.
August 7, 2008
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
whazzamattau
I think Coloradovet has realized his follies and decided common sense makes more sense.
August 7, 2008
2:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
4gColoNative writes:
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/wild...
"10 human deaths and at least 44 nonfatal attacks in North America between 1890 and 1990"
That's a hundred years, people. Be sure to keep totin' your guns to protect you from those pesky cats.
August 7, 2008
2:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
mt writes:
Where did you see that it was a fact that BEAR spray is "extremely effective against mountain lion"? Does effective mean that it will always work to defend you from the attack? How many people were attacked by a hungry bear or lion attempting to prove this fact? Show me the literature so I can pass it on to my children so they will be safe to walk in bear and lion country and never have another worry.
August 7, 2008
2:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
FACT: I have been hiking and mountain biking the front range and mountains for over 20 years and have never encountered a mountain lion. There is something suspicious here. We can't say that this man is telling the truth. He may have felt invincible with his gun and been snooping where he shouldn't have.
August 7, 2008
2:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
4gColoNative
If you or one of your loved ones (if you have any) were one of the ten or 44, I darn well bet that you would be talking out of the other side of your mouth.
August 7, 2008
2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
gert writes:
I must say, I have enjoyed reading this forum today. A lot of good humor. Being female myself, I am with the majority: Be prepared to protect yourself, whether it be against man or beast. Look at the female hiker murdered in Oregon. If its between me or them, I will kill it with my gun.
August 7, 2008
2:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Fact: I was born and raised in Mtn Lion Territory Saw 1 mtn lion during that time. Left for awhile to chase urban Cougars......grrrrrrrr
Lived Last 15 yrs in Colo. In 3 week period saw 5 distinct Mtn Lions.
8 seperate cats total.....over 5 other sightings that may have been some of the same cats.
RUMOR: If you dont see them, they dont exist!
See this Fact game is kinda fun. Can we play more Vet?
August 7, 2008
2:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Statistics are great FUN. Until you become 1
August 7, 2008
2:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
elkman writes:
coloradovet
Maybe you need to get out more. "There is something suspicious here. We can't say that this man is telling the truth". My question is why would he not be telling the truth? If he killed it just for sport, why even bother to tell anyone about it. Your reasoning does not hold up. His story makes perfect sense to me. You are just looking to make the lion a saint. I do not believe that I am on this earth to let a lion make me his dinner tonight. Are you?
August 7, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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4gColoNative writes:
Wow, you've personally seen 8-13 mtn lions?! How many did you have to shoot to get back to safety?
August 7, 2008
2:36 p.m.
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elkman writes:
4gColoNative
Wow, you did not get the point. Every sighting of a mountain lion is not a matter of life and death. The point is that there is a large increase in mountain lion population. I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I never once saw a mountain lion or ever heard of anyone else ever seeing one. Guess what?
Fact: South Dakota now has a regular hunting season of 25 mountain lions per year. Why? Because there are hundreds of mountains lions living in the hills. Encounters up there are even more frequent than here in Colorado. Be lucky you live here.
August 7, 2008
2:50 p.m.
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4gColoNative writes:
Some quick math ...let's be generous and say 100 attacks+deaths in all of North America over 100 years ... and the article went on to say 64% were children. So 36 adults across 50 states plus Canadian provinces (equal distrib. for ease ... but the cougar range IS most of N. A.) gives roughly 0.6 per ST/Prov over 100 years. Now go ahead and unrealistically weight Colorado *25 times* as much as any other place and you get less than one here every four years. And that's among how many people moving around on foot in the mountains?
The general public has an atrocious understanding and appreciation of statistics. Those of you adults who think you need to carry a gun to prevent a mtn lion attack, you're just being dumb. It isn't going to happen. And I believe it wouldn't have even happened in this case.
What are you doing to prevent yourself from being a victim of every other statistically unlikely occurrence? What about that small plane that's going to crash into your house and kill you? [like it just did to those people in Oregon]
August 7, 2008
2:56 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
4g
If a plane tried to attack my house, I'd shoot it too!
August 7, 2008
2:56 p.m.
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mt writes:
Fact: I have been living in Colorado for about 30 years and I have never been murdered. I don't believe people actually kill people. Something very suspicious is going on. I better keep my head in the sand since it does not happen if I don't see it. Are you kidding me vet? Yours may have been the dumbest statement I have read on these forums and I have seen a lot. That is a fact! Most people don't see mountain lions yet they are still attacked. That is pretty wierd huh.
August 7, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Colovet
Where would he have been snooping that he shouldn't have been?
August 7, 2008
3:13 p.m.
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mt writes:
He left his home and therefore took his head out of the sand. That is a no no. We should probably prosecute him and his wife for trespassing on public land where a lion and other wildlife were located. He should have known better. Better yet he should have offered himself as a sacrificial meal for interupting the delicate balance of nature.
August 7, 2008
3:17 p.m.
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pinewood writes:
" Those of you adults who think you need to carry a gun to prevent a mtn lion attack, you're just being dumb. It isn't going to happen. And I believe it wouldn't have even happened in this case."
Others believe differently, thus not becoming number 11 and 12. The guy who defended himself would probably rather be called dumb by 4gColoNative than have the posthumous blessing of ignorant liberals.
August 7, 2008
3:17 p.m.
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elkman writes:
4gColoNative
"Those of you adults who think you need to carry a gun to prevent a mtn lion attack, you're just being dumb".
Fact: I am not dumb.
Fact: I am an adult that does carry a gun to prevent a mtn lion attack oy any other kind of attack.
August 7, 2008
3:20 p.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
FlyfishDude52
South-Central Nebraska. A raccoon wiped out a stand of sweet corn this last weekend when we were in Colorado. It was six rows deep by 300 yards long. Needless to say, the field corn alongside it was untouched.
I ran across a badger in Snowmass, Colorado in 1976. He was busy digging a hole at the base of a stone bridge. I sat on top of the bridge watching him. When I said "Hi, badger" he bolted into the hole and cussed a blue streak. He sounded a bit upset.
The one I blasted here was three feet from me and really ready for a fight since two dogs had him backed up in a hole. I used five rounds of .357 158 gr. lead. (At three feet I didn't miss) The nice part was after I threw him across the road in about two weeks he was completely gone because the bugs and other creepy crawly things really clean up. The humidity also helps by keeping the meat soft and chewy.
August 7, 2008
3:26 p.m.
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elkman writes:
Oh, by the way, 4gColoNative, statistics can be used to defend or prosecute the same cause. Depends on how you elect to use them. Your stats don't mean a thing. Because if you were 6 ft from a crouched mountain lion, you would probably be peeing yourself up.
August 7, 2008
3:30 p.m.
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4gColoNative writes:
I don't really care that much about one animal, mother of cubs or not. There are plenty more of this kind. Still don't like seeing wildlife killed unnecesarily.
It's the irrational fearfulness and worry that too many people display. Because human beings prone to acting out of fear do things much more heinous.
August 7, 2008
3:36 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
You may find this unexpected, some of you even repulsive. I do not consider animals as bros. I don't even think I've encroached on their rightful territory. Raccoons are a nuisance. Deer are rats on stilts. Cute Prairie dogs carry plague. Lions and Bears are extremely dangerous as are rattlers on the trail. And whose dumb idea was it to reintroduce wolves? We paid the government once to blot them out. Now we pay for them to bring them back. For what possible reason? These animals hunt in packs. We'll need full auto just to go hiking in a few years.
In this age of coddle the wild men and wild beasts, be armed at all times. Be ready to shoot in an instant, dog, man, beast or dinner.
August 7, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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elkman writes:
4gColoNative
What do you consider the "necesarily" killing of wildlife? It is not irrational fearfulness of people to want to preserve their life. If it comes down to a mountain lion or me, it will be a dead lion for sure.
August 7, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
You may find this unexpected, some of you even repulsive. I do not consider animals as bros. I don't even think I've encroached on their rightful territory. Raccoons are a nuisance. Deer are rats on stilts. Cute Prairie dogs carry plague. Lions and Bears are extremely dangerous as are rattlers on the trail. And whose dumb idea was it to reintroduce wolves? We paid the government once to blot them out. Now we pay to bring them back. For what possible reason? These animals hunt in packs. We'll need large caliber, full auto just to go hiking in a few years.
In this age of coddle the wild men and wild beasts, be armed at all times. Be ready to shoot in an instant, dog, man, beast or dinner.
August 7, 2008
3:41 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
True Big_D, but we probably wouldn't need free healthcare if the dems and rebulicans hadn't ran this country for the last 200 or so years.
August 7, 2008
3:42 p.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
FlyfishDude52
Another thing that "just happens" out here is the number of road killed opossums, badgers, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and who knows what else that gets run over. These old timers zero in on the critters that destroy their crops. Some have guns while others use the truck. If you mention that you've seen one of the aforementioned animals the first thing out of the listeners mouth is, "Did you run it over?"
Who wudda thunk?
August 7, 2008
3:54 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
4gColoNative writes: "Some quick math ...let's be generous and say 100 attacks+deaths in all of North America over 100 years ... and the article went on to say 64% were children. So 36 adults across 50 states plus Canadian provinces"
Then 4gColoNative goes on to contradict him/herself with "Those of you adults who think you need to carry a gun to prevent a mtn lion attack, you're just being dumb. It isn't going to happen. "
So you state that it happens repeatedly, and then 2 seconds later say it's not going to happen.
Sort of like a meterologist that stands out in the snowstorm and proclaims "No snow today!".
August 7, 2008
3:58 p.m.
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4gColoNative writes:
Y'know, if this is really a clear-cut case of man vs. animal and the man had to do what he did --it's a non-story. It would be pointless for the RMN to run it. More interesting if the cat shot the dude ("man bites dog" instead of the reverse).
So if you take the story at face value (believe everything you read, and believe that the whole story is told, and the intentions of the protagonist are transparent and obvious), and you argue for that perspective, you might as well be arguing that the sky is blue.
August 7, 2008
4:11 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
This is for those of you that think a human can scare away a mountain lion and no gun is neccessary. Yes sometimes they go away but if they don't look out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tSm_L...
Enjoy
August 7, 2008
4:11 p.m.
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elkman writes:
4gColoNative
The more you write, the more transparent you become. You are making no sense at all anymore. Give it up. You lost your argument hours ago. ITisWHATitIS : What a terrible thing to say to anyone about their children. You obviously have no class or no common sense either.
August 7, 2008
4:18 p.m.
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pinewood writes:
Yeah, just disqualify all as irrelevant (4gColoNative), when all else fails, the sky is blue.
Other news sources have reported that the mountain lion was male. So it's not a case of mother cat protecting her cubs. They also reported that the mountain lion was diseased, and malnourished, and hadn't eaten for days. These two were on menu and very lucky they were prepared. This cat was desperate for food and this could have easily been a huge tragedy.
August 7, 2008
4:19 p.m.
awhite411 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 7, 2008
4:27 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
It is it---You say you would kill me?
Isn't that what your ancestors did to mine? White elites don't know the difference between animals and people. My ancestors walked from Georgia to Oklahoma while yours whipped and killed them because, like you, they knew no difference between humans and animals.
August 7, 2008
4:32 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
This should make all the animal rights fanatics go further insane!
Look out for ITisWHATitIS..... he'll likely blow at any second.....
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/08/07/ac.shot.wed.cnn
The Understated Headline of the Year....
"The annual Guinea Pig Festival in Peru doesn't turn out so well for the guinea pigs."
August 7, 2008
4:49 p.m.
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gert writes:
I saw the guinea pig video! Crazy! Tastes like chicken!
August 7, 2008
4:51 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
rickg19611--I appreciate your comments. whatisIT, like most liberals
didn't take any native history, except at a university. I'll be interested to see what cliche I'll be reading next.
August 7, 2008
6:08 p.m.
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whazzamattau writes:
HopiMedicineMan: My apologies on behalf of my halfwit fellow citizen, Itiswhatitis. He is a deranged liberal with a dangerous sense of entitlement fueled by his own hateful resentment. It's not that he doesn't know better, he has seared his conscience against his fellow man and embraced the liberal ideologies of Marxism, animal liberationism and despotism. To make the outrageous remarks he has made about you and others gives me concern that he may be out on the streets practicing his form of "citizenship", just like Joseph Stalin did when he butchered millions of his fellow citizens.
August 7, 2008
6:27 p.m.
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Crystal Preston-Watson writes:
awhite411, your post was removed because it contained personal information. Everyone, do not post your or other's personal information here.
Please keep your comments on topic and away from insulting other users.
Thank you
August 7, 2008
7:22 p.m.
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HopiMedicineMan writes:
Whazzamattau--That's quite alright. I read the post and thought it was out of line. I thought of clicking "suggest removal." I came back into the site later in the day and noticed for the first time it was addressed to me. I'm as culpable. I provoked the issue. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me.
August 7, 2008
10:57 p.m.
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rockhopper writes:
I am an Alaskan. There is no place on earth where carrying a gun in the back country is more excepted. In fact, you are probably in the minority if you do not. THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST CARRYING GUNS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. The only exception to that is in Denali National Park where the feds are in control. I am not a hunter. I have never killed an animal intentionally, except a poor unfortunate squirrel or two who happened to wander out in front of my tires. I choose to carry Bear spray but to be honest, I don't really feel safe out there with that. Bear spray does NOT work all the time. A strong wind in ones face will not have the desired effect on an animal intent on causing one harm. Fact: Bear spray is effective between 10-20 feet (30 feet is overly optimistic). Fact: a bear, at 20 feet, is only about 2 bounds from you. Translation: 1 second. Now how much time does someone have at 6 feet from a crouching mountain lion? Less than 1 sec. Conclusion: the man was right to defend his wife and himself in such a manner. 6 feet is WAY to close to be second guessing oneself. If your wrong, your dead.
August 11, 2008
6:26 a.m.
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GladesGuru writes:
The AgencyPersons making a life long job of "protecting", "researching", "saving from extinction" any of the large bodied predators like cougar generally are examples of Boulder Dememtia Syndrome.
They catch it from those who educated them. These members of the Academented class tend to be walking, talking examples of what has been termed "The Sociopathy of Enviro-Socialism".
AgencyPersons know their pampered predators can (and will) maul, kill, and sometimes eat humans. The harsh reality is that they don't care. In the words of Dr. Paul Beier, "I'm comfortable with that."
I'm not. You shouldn't be either. Unless you are an AgencyPerson, that is
They consider a few deaths acceptable, because the swarm of Endangered Species Act funded programs pay their gooberment salaries, support the academic departments which trained them, fund "research" on how to socialize evermore land, ad nauseam.
Predators are not in danger of extinction. What IS in danger is American civilization. I refer to the core concepts so clearly and concisely described in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Beasts of prey like cougar will be stalking helpless prey long after America has vanished.
I suggest that to preserve America, it is essential to:
1. Repeal the Endangered Species Act.
2. Sell off all government owned lands that are not authorized in the Constitution.
3. Return to bounties on all predators, be they bear, cougar, wolf, or Mister Mugger. It worked for all of America's pre-Liberalism history. Ask Jesse James.