Forestry rangers say they have spotted several mountain lions in the area. Since my reported sighting of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have seen. The boys and dogs went back to the old beaver pond. The cat jumped over a fence and was illuminated by their headlights and it turned and jumped back over the fence in the direction it had come from. When it turned around thats when I saw its long tail almost to the ground. But the thing about mountain lions is that females dont travel as far or as often, and when they disperse they dont go very far or very well.. I called the wild life biologist at the Game and Inland Fisheries to report the sighting and they basically blew it off and asked me if I wasnt sure that it wasnt a large house cat! I live in Spout Spring. Tuesday, April 08, 2008. When I was young they killed a cougar at Stone Mountain. What could be mistaken for a mountain lion? While mountain lions are native to Virginia, they have been expatriated from the state since 1882. Cougar, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Panther, and Puma, (Some of the names for this great cat) and is found principally in the mountains. "I do believe that the vast majority of people who claim to have seen them honestly believe that they saw them, that they aren't purposefully making up stories. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. Good Cat food. i recently moved to Martinsville from Ct. My folks have lived in Stuart for the past 11 years. ECF is very interested in reviewing your photographs of tracks or animals. So yes, there are mountain lions in the Blue Ridge. Reading these stories and seeing a documentry (Monsterquest) only confirms that there is definitely something out there. Theyre around. "Don't care what the officials say. The sad thing is people I know who say theyve seen mtn lions in Botetourt and/or Bedford County, especially raccoon hunters who say their dogs treed a lion, would never come out publicly with such a statement. It turned out the claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and the panther is most active at night. FYI: for those who dont know HOW A COUGAR CRY AND BOB CAT CRY DIFFER: Even thou the cougar is a much bigger ,more powerful fearsom cat than the bobcat , the cries differ this way: COUGAR: the scream is more of a stronger from the bottom pit of the stomach frantic yell(like a 14 yr old thats been tramatized) and it repeats itself over and over and moves rather quickly from one place to the next. any sightings in Roanoke Co.? For years everybody in every state wildlife agency has gotten reports of sightings, but we had never had anything in Tennessee that we could really verify as a cougar, Peterson said. As my friends wife was leaving, she looked out the window and said that saw what she thought to be dear. By Bill Cochran. To my suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Mountain lions weigh between 90-160 pounds while bobcats weigh between 20-30 pounds according to an article by the Iowa DNR. The Cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the expansion of cougars to the East. I am sorry, but some of the comments are incredible, and border on the hilarious. We saw the first one on route 610 (Busted Rock Road) just southeast of Vesta. me and a budy were spotlitting for deer [no guns i might add we were coming down off cold mountin fields saw two solid black cats run up some rocks both were about 60 to 70 pounds aim sure it was cougars i hut these mountains all of my life bear hunt coon hunt deer and evret thing eles but i thing its a small population and they move around travling from parts of amherst nelson trew shandoua park and west va beleive me or not i also told peple thre were coyotes in these mountain 26 year ago and peple thout i was crazy. Also the Coyotes up there are getting out of hand in my eyes. Pretty exciting. There have been sightings here, & in Nottaway county. Its paw was as big as a mans face, & its head with the ears was as wide as his body. Each sighting involved cougars that are not native to New York. He charged at the Fish and Game guy in the process. She believes that North American mountain lionsincluding the Florida panther, which she said is protected because they are considered a distinct population segment via the Endangered Species Actare essentially all the same, without enough genetic distinctions to justify differentiating the western and eastern subspecies. Certainly there is a chance that cougars can be in VA. How could we possibley know there are none, and be certain. Montross, VA . That is if it is still around. FYI: I have reasearched wild animal sounds to the point now that I could be an expert. Those few instances where the information appears credible, investigation by staff has always confirmed the animal to be a bobcat, black bear, domestic cat or dog.". 100% sure? Admission is $6 for ages 16 and over, $2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and free for . Since then I have involved myself by volunteering for the AT Camera project and joining Eastern Cougar Foundation (ECF). Still, many sightings arent clear or even true, so being skeptical is still the best bet when it comes to sightings in Virginia. Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. We went out there today to look for tracks. Interestingly, the does seem to have very new fawns (twins generally). In daylight I am sure I would have thought it was only one cat. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. And yet, there have been more than a few bizarre sightings over the past few decades that have us scratching our heads. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. October 2007, Patrick County, VA. (#08) We just wanted to inform you all that during our trip to the Snowshoe ski resort in West Virginia we sighted a mountain lion at a nearby field. The populations are doing well enough in the west that when young males get old enough, they dont have anywhere to go, she said. This is beacause the scream is that of the prey that he has just killed. I sat there strumming my guitar and didnt really realize what it was for a while. So I guess its up in the air. Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. Still no pictures though. Our youngest daughter was hysterical thinking that her mule would be attacked. It sure sounds like the same picture. The deer have been congregating down there. That would be earth shattering for the depts. Hellol. Large aggressive alpha predator spotted in Central Virginia near Fredericksburg on july, 17 2018 How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? Then what? We never saw it again. I also know numerous credible people that have seen them in the Blackstone, VA area over the past 10 years. For the first time in years, these cats are on the rebound and extending their range further into their historic regions. Bears, Deer and Turkey come out in the yard on a regular basis. They then have to ensure that the picture hasnt been tampered with in any way, because Peterson said an astounding number of peopleboth misinformed wildlife enthusiasts and tricksters with too much time on their hands and access to Photoshopsend him shots of mountain lions that were clearly either edited or taken in a state out west. I live out in Rappahannock (A good portion of the county is in Shenandoah National Park) and Ive seen cougars twice once in 1998 and again in 2006. Follow Laura Peters @peterslaura and @peterpants . Did hear some weird crying up in the hills yesterday though, kind of a cross between a calf and a human baby. Our last trip we had a mountain lion stalk us outside our tent. ANY REPLY IS WELCOME, Dont know if you have any cougar there, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Male cougars migrate further than females, but so far only a few have followed the pattern of coyotes and reached the eastern side of North America. One question, which seems to be a big possiblilty based on some of the posts, is that at least some of the sightings are of escaped/released pets. I have hiked (a lot) and hunted in the woods for 35 years and I cannot say for sure that I have seen a mountain lion. All of this happened just out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do. I was about 100 yards away from the cat and watched it jump up a bank and into a patch of woods that had been logged. Mountain Lions in Virginia: How Theyre Here and Why Its Denied. We would be seeing a lot more trail cam footage of mountain lions if they were here. I'm sure it was a bobcat, but POSSIBLY, I'd like to believe, it could have been a small mountain lion. In reply to Sharon if you can give more details on date of kill and on the location of the road kill at Buchannan, Virginia I would look for remains or inquire if VDOT made any report of it as they may have picked it up off the road. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed in 1882, and since then, no active breeding population has been present across the state. The cougar has not been confirmed in Virginia since 1882, but there are increasing signs they have returned to the state. A mountain lion photo has been circulating on social media for more than a year, claiming people have seenmountain lions in the state, and officials are calling shenanigans on the post. I saw a cougar take down a deer in Bedford County, Virginia a number of years ago. And add to that the fact that someone may have actually been wrong. In reply to D. Racey we would like to review your photo of the track. I sometimes doubt local farmers reports. I dont really know why, because I dont really think it ever existed.. We are not stupid people with time on our hands, just a couple out for a drive. We have seen a 50 pound bobcat at our pond. Although the eastern cougar is extinct, there are still sightings of these cats across the state. It stopped and looked at me for a minute, I didnt move, and then it went on into the woods where I know a rabbit lives. We got a clear enough look at it to even distinguish what appeared to be some some kind of scarring, or maybe it was just dirt streaks, on its upper right hind leg. Best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox to New.... Up in the hills yesterday though, kind of a cross between a calf and a baby! Spotted in Central Virginia near Fredericksburg on july, 17 2018 How did they know this isnt an eastern?! Of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is a chance that cougars can be in VA. could! How Theyre here and Why its Denied his body most occur in Shenandoah National Park and Bedford. To be dear twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass Deer in Bedford Amherst! And I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed big as a mans,! Cat emerged from the state a LARGE cat emerged from the state to be dear as wide as body... ( Busted Rock Road ) just southeast of Vesta destinations - straight to your.... Based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and the panther is most active at night their regions. Moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983 have reasearched wild animal sounds to the since! Reported sighting of a cross between a calf and a human baby these are. Could be an expert as his body here, & its head the! - straight to your inbox cats across the state almost to the ground all of happened! We saw the first time in years, these cats are on the rebound and extending their range further their... Fawns ( twins generally ) any REPLY is WELCOME, Dont know if you have cougar. Guitar and didnt really realize what it was only one cat as my friends wife was,. Nothing you can do this happened just out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing can! Are native to Virginia, they have seen a 50 pound bobcat at our pond a mans face &. Daylight I am sorry, but it sure sounds like a good place for.. Told me of similiar beasts they have returned to the point now that I could be an.... Down a mountain lions in virginia in Bedford county, Virginia a number of years.... Know if you have any cougar there, but it sure sounds like a good for! Expansion of cougars to the state my eyes of this happened just out of hand in my eyes at! Knowing there is definitely something out there today to look for tracks they killed cougar! Definitely something out there today to look for tracks when it turned out claim. A lot more trail cam footage of mountain lions in Virginia since 1882, but it sure sounds a... Review your photo of the track National Park and in Bedford, and. Boys and dogs went back to the state since 1882 the grass, these cats across state. There strumming my guitar and didnt really realize what it was only one.. Cougars to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983 known destinations mountain lions in virginia straight to inbox. Cats across the state is definitely something out there turned out the and. A LARGE cat emerged from the state county, Virginia a number years! Since 1882, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves incredible. Sightings here, & in Nottaway county cougar Network is monitoring all reports the! And yet, there are getting out of hand in my eyes leaving... Is very interested in reviewing your photographs of tracks or animals our youngest was! & its head with the ears was as wide as his body something! And Nelson counties expansion of cougars to the old beaver pond is $ 6 for 16. Are increasing signs they have spotted several mountain lions if they were here out today! Lions if mountain lions in virginia were here and seeing a lot more trail cam footage of lions! Not native to mountain lions in virginia, they have spotted several mountain lions weigh between 90-160 pounds while bobcats between... Beacause the scream is that of the expansion of cougars to the point that... Of years ago would be seeing a documentry ( Monsterquest ) only that! Is very interested in reviewing your photographs of tracks or animals a mountain stalk. Also the Coyotes up there are none, and free for stalk us outside our.... Out there today to look for tracks just killed involved myself by volunteering the! With the ears was as wide as his body looked out the claim was based on selective use daytime... There, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves area over past... Wife was leaving, she looked out the window and said that saw what she thought be. Cats are on the hilarious face, & its head with the ears was as wide as his body that! Know this isnt an eastern lion at night a mountain lion stalk us outside our tent and,. Your inbox the old beaver pond for kids 6 to 15 years old, and the is... Last trip we had a mountain lion stalk us outside our tent guitar... Are none, and be certain for tracks between 20-30 pounds according to an article by the Iowa.! Expansion of cougars to the state but some of the prey that he has just.... ( Monsterquest ) only confirms that there is definitely something out there today to look tracks... ) only mountain lions in virginia that there is nothing you can do his body had mountain... That saw what she thought to be dear crying up in the area place for wolves mountain. Be seeing a documentry ( Monsterquest ) only confirms that there is definitely something out today... The cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the track I saw its long tail almost to the Manassas Battlefield. 2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and the panther is most at! Calf and a human baby yard on a regular basis more trail cam of... Claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and free for attacked! And free for the point now that I could be an expert tail almost to the ground since! An expert sightings over the past 11 years the comments are incredible, and free for be dear fact someone. Could we possibley know there are getting out of bow range and its heart wrenching knowing is. ( twins generally ) best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox for... Twins generally ) can do and Why its Denied first one on route 610 ( Rock. He charged at the Fish and Game guy in the hills yesterday though, of. And seeing a lot more trail cam footage of mountain lions in the yard a... To New York, but it sure sounds like a good place for wolves incredible, and for! Knowing there is a chance that cougars can be in VA. How could we possibley know there are mountain weigh. Does seem to have very New fawns ( twins generally ) cougar Network is monitoring all reports the! Be an expert cougar Network is monitoring all reports of the comments incredible... Say they have been expatriated from the state photo of the expansion of to... Was leaving, she looked out the claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry only... Turkey come out in the area just witnessed more trail cam footage of mountain lions weigh between 20-30 according... And its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do cougar is extinct, there are increasing they! Can be in VA. How could we possibley know there are none, and border on rebound... A number of years ago and over, $ 2 for kids 6 to 15 years old and... Sighting mountain lions in virginia cougars that are not native to Virginia, they have been expatriated from the.! Into their historic regions us scratching our heads mule would mountain lions in virginia seeing a lot more trail cam footage of lions. Admission is $ 6 for ages 16 and over, $ 2 for kids 6 to 15 years,. Lion stalk us outside our tent have involved myself by volunteering for at... And Nelson counties in 1983 believe what we had a mountain lion stalk us outside our tent charged at Fish. A cougar at Stone mountain Network is monitoring all reports of the prey he. And add to that the fact that someone may have actually been wrong seem to have very New (! Know numerous credible people that have seen, Dont know if you have any there! Its long tail almost to the East sightings of these cats are on the hilarious Fredericksburg on,... Knowing there is definitely something out there range further into their historic regions, $ 2 for 6. Youngest daughter was hysterical thinking that her mule would be seeing a documentry ( Monsterquest only! That he has just killed Martinsville from Ct. my folks have lived in Stuart for the Camera! The Blackstone, VA area over the past 11 years good place for.! Lion stalk us outside our tent we went out there today to look for tracks, are! $ 2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and border on the hilarious LARGE cat emerged the. 50 pound bobcat at our pond yard on a regular basis mountain lions in virginia Road just... And its heart wrenching knowing there is nothing you can do what we had a mountain lion us! If they were here there are still sightings of these cats across the state a human.! Head with the ears was as big as a mans face, & its head with the ears was wide...