Predator (Do not open if you are squeamish)

[hurthawk]

Most of you have seen the pictures of the deer herd that frequents my back yard. Unfortunately, it is the law of nature that where there are deer... there are mountain lions.
Several sighting occur each month in the area around my home, but they usually take place in the fringe areas of the community. Evidence of this lion was a bit closer to home.......about 100 feet!
Diane and I had just returned from running errands in civilization (about an hour drive). As we pulled in to the driveway, she noticed a deer laying down under the porch of the house next door. We thought it might be sick, so we went to investigate. Not a pretty sight! A mountain lion had ripped her throat out and eaten off the lower jaw and nose. All of this occurring 50 feet from where I take the dog out every night to do his doggie duty. I was raised in the mountains, so I am well aware that just because you don't see a mountain lion doesn't mean that he doesn't see you. But this episode will have me looking over my shoulder and staying closer to the dog at night.
The pictures are graphic...but you can't say I didn't warn you.
Rick

 

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[seger98]

Interesting that the mountain lion would drag the deer under the porch. That's bold!

 

[kuger]

Hey Hawk,I was a Lion specialist for the Gov.(thats where my screen name is from)Something about that doesnt look "lion",to me?First,lions usual kill by seizing the back of the head,they usually do not feed on the throat(usually they open up the chest cavity and often only eat the heart liver and lungs,they usually cover there kill and it they dont usually drag it closer to people.I am not saying that there are exceptions to the rules as Calif. lions do things that no other lions do anywhere else.Young lions usually do things out of the norm as well and young lions are the ones that are most likely to attack humans.I would definetly contact Fish And Game, and the Government Trapper(I know the one in your area well,and he is one of the best)you may have a "public safety",situation there.Its nothing to mess around with,think how you would feel if a kid is attacked and it could have been prevented?Calif.would experience many more human attacks every year if it were not for certain Human Health and Safety threats being taken out.Please act

 

[hurthawk]

Kuger,

I already called Public Safety. The officer and I loaded the deer in his truck and he was going to show it to F&G. We have warning signs posted at all entrances to the community re: mountain lion dangers.
Welcome back from the islands...hope you had a great time.
Rick

 

[Cynangyl]

pretty bold indeed! We had some that used to come feed at the salmon bake area at the resort if the banquets crew did not clean up well after a salmon bake. Scared the tar out of some guests a few times!

 

[packerbacker]

Were you able to identify any tracks? The cat kills we've come across on a ranch we hunt have usually been partially covered by the cat before leaving the carcass, especially if there are leaves or loose dirt nearby. If I had encountered the kill you have pictured there, I'd have been surprised that the leaves weren't raked over the head. Of course, every cat won't do it or he could have been spooked too. Even domestic cats will often "pretend" to cover up their food source by raking their paw over the dish. Whatever the case, you have a very dangerous situation there and I'd make sure Fish & Game gave you permission to shoot it on SIGHT, not just if it threatened to attack. I'm sure some people would tell you that your property belongs to the cat and you should move elsewhere but.................................

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Not an expert like Kuger, but having lived most often in the wilds with wild creatures, I was thinking the same thing as Kuger.

It looks more "canine-ish" to me.

Another graphic photo:

A verified lionkill.

 

[kuger]

Rick,I am still in the Island.That is odd that they removed the carcass?Was the officers name "Don"?Usually those situations are handled in a much different manner as aside from the threat of public injury if something was to happen now the state is liable.In every past case of a lion attack on a human the state has settled out of court.The state is broke anyway so I guess they dont care.Were there tracks verified?Lions do usually cover there kills as mentioned but as said it may have been spooked away,also often times juvenile cats wont and they also tend to make a mess of things......as seen.I am familiar with where you live and the deer herds that area holds is why the lions are there but lions are opportunists and humans are on the menu if people want to admit that fact or not.Good eye Mrs.O,Hawks picture does show characteristics of a canine kill,but most of the time there would be some injury to the hind quarters.The pic you posted is classic feline.They do not like hair in there mouths and they have a very abrasive tongue that they literally lick the hair off with.I cant see the chest cavity in your pic but I bet it is opened up and the soft organs fed upon.

 

[Ray S S]

I hope someone can spot it and kill it pretty quick before some kid gets hurt. That one is pretty bold to come
that close to the houses.

Ray

 

[kuger]

In Calif.it is not uncommon at all for lions to be around very urban areas.There has been radio collared cats that stayed within three city blocks of incorporated L.A. for weeks at a time......never being seen,living on pet cats,dogs and other animals.There is a trend developing with the prey mainly deer that are not leaving our plush watered lawns and landscaping.They feel almost a security living in amongst people because people are not really a threat.Well the lions need to eat so they must become more bold and they are venturing down into neighborhoods too.Here they are getting used to barking dogs,sounds and smells of people and the city life.They are very stealthy so they are living amongst us and most never know it.As Hawk said anybody that has ever hiked in lion country has been watched by lions I guarantee it.Most do not target people but as I said they are opportunists and the young ones are inexperienced if everything is right and they are sure they wont be injured they will attack people.There is no shortage and there are no natural predators to them aside from us and they are protected.It is inevitable there will be future human attacks.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Kruger,

Yes - the lion took the delicacies first.

Our mountain lion problem has even reached the national papers, and several of my neighbors have taken pictures of different ones (it is thought that there are at least 4-6. Definitely one mother with 2 half grown cubs and a male.)

Scared the beejabbers out of one of the railroad guys - and our feral cat population has gone to almost 0. The male has taken a smaller deer and went over a fence with it - but away from the homes, not towards them. We also have lots of town deer, and the female seems to be in "training mode" of her cubs.

We have no payphones here, and no cell service unless you have Alltel, so I get to see many pictures of the cats - and kills, since they come to where I work to call the hotline that they set up.

But, they are brazen - right up the alleyways, in back yards (most fences are short, town fences) and right down the streets.

In Arizona, we also had lions, bobcats, wolves and coyotes (along with a few wild dogs) - but never saw a kill by a feline where it looked like the one at the beginning of this post.

B

 

[hurthawk]

Kuger,

The head was covered with leaves and dirt and I immediately started looking for tracks but there is a layer of leaves everywhere. Lots of hoof prints under the porch and one possible pug mark. The public safety guy said they have found 55 dead deer this month either poisoned or the victim of some disease. The biologist hasn't made a determination yet.
Rick

 

[kuger]

Mrs.O sounds like you are living this new trend!!Hawk, wow,I had not heard of the possible disease outbreak but that is what happens when large numbers of deer are "pushed",into a "small" area.They feel secure in numbers and when one infected animal comes into contact it is a domino effect.People will now say that well the lions only kill the sick.....not true,look at the deer you posted,looks to be in prime condition to me!!!Rick stay on your toes....an adult lion needs equivalent to one deer a week to sustain

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

The only really prevalent disease, that they are following is 'chronic wasting disease' in deer - they are also checking the elk and antelope in the area. It has been rising slowly, but they say that it is the ones outside of town that are coming down with it - though, I'm not really up to speed on it.

B

 

[bean man]

I thought they were reclusive! We might have to start watching out for old Pete Puma here in the flat land too. a friend just showed me some trail cam photos taken in southern Iowa, in October, of three pretty big lions feeding on a deer. Also, one has been hit by a car, and two of them shot by farmers, in recent years here in Iowa.

 

[packerbacker]

ok hawk, if the head was covered with leaves it's a definite cat kill. I remember one time, when we were out pig hunting, we came across a partially covered cat kill. The dogs that were with us went over to the carcass and started smelling around. The dogs, usually fearless, wanted nothing to do with that deer as I'm sure they smelled the cat. It's kinda spooky hunting out there because you know there are various lions seen regularly and they can sneak right up on you before you know what's happening. If they get the jump on you, the gun's worthless.

 

[Bridge End Farm]

yeap a cat kill as others have said

Might be living under that porch.

I too would be careful, if it's hungry enough it will challenge anything

 

[kuger]

ok hawk, if the head was covered with leaves it's a definite cat kill. I remember one time, when we were out pig hunting, we came across a partially covered cat kill. The dogs that were with us went over to the carcass and started smelling around. The dogs, usually fearless, wanted nothing to do with that deer as I'm sure they smelled the cat. It's kinda spooky hunting out there because you know there are various lions seen regularly and they can sneak right up on you before you know what's happening. If they get the jump on you, the gun's worthless.

O.K. .......I am glad you confirmed that!!!!How may I ask because it is "covered",know it is definitely a lion?Bears will cover kills too.

 

[RGINN]

Interesting. I'm with Kruger, there's something wrong with that cat. Animals seem to be acting different these days, and I hope all y'all stay safe and get that taken care of. (My esposa says it's chupacabra!)

 

[kuger]

Its not that there is something wrong with the cat perse',as I said it is a new trend animals are adapting,they are losing there fear of people,and where they are not hunted what do they have to fear??