Cougar sighting in Drumbo

[Pydpiper]

Got a call this morning, there were 2 sightings of a cougar in Drumbo over the weekend.
I know where I am going to be this afternoon!

[mtbyak]

Hey Dave,

Does that include the sighting by Gobles?

The paper says it was on Twp. Rd. 4 between Cty. Rd. 22 & Gobles Rd.

Could get down into Benwall Swamp & feed for a long time on the deer in there


Shoot Straight
Kirk

[Pydpiper]

Haven't heard of that sighting Kirk, that would mean it's next stop is my house. I am 3 minutes past Gobles.
I find this oddly exciting.
The route it would travel crosses 3 of my hunting properties, the third along the Nith is where I seen that cat last year.

[WAB]

hey Dave
I seen the cougar, not bad looking, but I had my wife with me in the car so I thought best not to stop and pick her up

[R.J.]

I spend tons of time in the bush , but have never seen a track or sign let alone an actual animal ... ( from Cambridge thru to Mountforest ... Drumbo and Woodstock area )

Love to get a picture of one ... even on a trail camera .

[dutchhunter]

myself and are hunting party all family uncles and ants and granddad all seen a large cat a few years ago close to delhi 100% .i had it at 20 yards well on standhunting deer it was seen by 5 of us two of the pushersx and three blockers .i almost shot it for a deer when it leaped out ofthe golden rod in front of me .boy dd i look twice DUTCH

[Pydpiper]

I was driving my truck on a closed road by the river, it came off the riverbank hit the ground once in the middle of the road in front of me and was gone, that too was about 20 yards.
I looked high and low for any indication of it being there, None, not a footprint nor a hair.

[Canabow]

They are beautiful animals. A guy here at work had one attack his dog this winter. Dog lived but got beat up pretty bad. The neighbor winged it that night to get it to let the dog go. They tried to find it that night but couldn't track it. He got up the next morning to track it down and it was waiting in his carport he shot it with a shotgun. Will track down the photo's tonight and post em.

[Pydpiper]

hey Dave
I seen the cougar, not bad looking, but I had my wife with me in the car so I thought best not to stop and pick her up

[Cossack]

They are steadily getting more numerous. Have been sightings here (MN) and Wisconsin. Several people have been attacked out west, at least one killed. Same with black bear. I no longer take my safety for granted when scouting for turkey or deer; always have a sidearm with.

[ecoaster]

I would love to see one also. If you are unfortunate enough to be it's targeted meal ticket, then you would probably not see it coming. They usually attack from overhead and behind you. I always have a sturdy knife in my hand while walking in and out of the woods during low light hours.

[dutchhunter]

caring a knive well walking could be a hazard if you happen to slip or fall .a bright light will do more tokeep a cat away frm you same as a lot of noise DUTCH

[R.J.]

"There have been approximately 500 sightings reported since 2002 to MNR and the Ontario Puma Foundation.

A number of cameras were set up in the Manilla area and down towards Bethany, as well as hair traps, but so far no cougar hairs or photographs.


"Just because it was in Manilla today, it may not be back for two or three months because it is travelling all the time. They are travelling looking for prey,"

Deer are the mainstay of a cougar's diet, comprising 80 to 90 per cent of the cat's total food intake.

While data has been hard to come by, the growing amount of tangible proof of cougars in Ontario is on the rise.

[Pydpiper]

Just got off the phone with a friend with good knowledge on this subject..

Last year I had permission from the MNR to dispatch this animal on sight, over the winter there were some changes to the endangered species laws that prevent anyone from dispatching it now without severe penalty. Problem is that the cat has done no damage, at least none that anyone is aware of at this point.
Our local OPP have been in contact with the MNR with the same questions, and unless the cat is about to inflict harm they too have their hands tied.
The MNR is certain this cat is domestic, either an escaped pet or one that has been released for other reasons, than naturalized.
Here in my village it is a pretty hot topic, lots of buzz from how the species is invading S/W Ontario by the thousands, to the guys who still think they were released by the MNR to control the deer population (I always loved that story). I trust my source 100%, he has assisted me many times over the years with the ties between my company and the MNR, including a very unique hunting licence.
The last sighting came in to the MNR, the guy who made the call was looking at the cougar while he made the call, sunning it's self on a hillside.
I hope when this animal does cross the line it is with livestock instead of a kid.
I will find out in the next few days if they can make any amendments to the endangered species laws. It is only a matter of time until this thing figures out cows are easier to catch than deer.

[Grizzly Adam]

The MNR is certain this cat is domestic, either an escaped pet or one that has been released for other reasons, than naturalized.

I'll bet that's the case 9 times out of 10 when someone's certain they've seen a cougar in an area out of their normal range.

From what I hear, you don't see the truly wild ones all that often!

Hope this cat is caught and properly handled.