Mountain Lion Spotted In Boston-Area Town

WCVB-TV Boston ^

[jonascord]

Wear those little harness bells, to warn them that you are coming, and carry a can of MACE if attacked. (Buy it in NH and smuggle it in.)

Thus, when they find cougar scats with bells in them and smelling of pepper spray, the police will know you didn't run off with your secretary...

[WFTR]

I've solo hiked in mountain lion country in Big Bend National Park in Texas, and they never gave me any trouble. Of course, I'm almost six feet tall and weigh 260. Before he became president, Theodore Roosevelt killed a mountain lion using just a knife. I've heard of a bicyclist being treed by a mountain lion and killing the cat by knocking it off a tree limb by using a bicycle pump. I wouldn't pick a fight with one of these beasts, but they can be beaten. The secret is not to appear as fleeing prey. If it becomes aggressive, appear aggressive in return. Never appear submissive. To explain this strategy to the average Boston resident, this means treating the cat as if it were a woman holding a pro-life sign instead of treating it as if it were a terrorist burning an American flag.

Bill

[sheik yerbouty]

Of course! Cats eat 'rats on occasion..

[Colorado Doug]

A few years ago, a fellow near here saw his dog being attacked in his back yard by another dog. He ran out and pulled the "dog" off, only to find out that it was not a dog at all, but a full grown mountain lion. He lived to tell the tail. His dog was only a little torn up too.

[Colorado Doug]

tail = tale . . . Freudian slip, I guess

[Colorado Doug]

One tried to take down one of my neighbors horses last year. Scratched up several of them until the stud busted the cat in the chops with his hooves.

[hyperpoly8]

Bury your cats in your "state officials" yard.

[Colorado Doug]

The one time I saw a big cat, was right in the center of our town. It is a small town though

A woman was praying at the Holy Abby in Canon City about four years ago. A mountain lion strolled right into the chapel. I'm certain that she had time for one more quick prayer as she was leaving. They never did catch the cat after it left on it's own.

[fire_eye]

THERE ARE NO GUNS!!! THEY ARE OUTLAWED!! YOU DID NOT SEE THAT!!! IT DID NOT HAPPEN!!!!

Report to your Pharmacotherapist IMMEDIATELY!!!!

[Lunkhead_01]

Why? Do you want me to shoot him?

[RaceBannon]

Heavans to Mergatroid!!

[Born to Conserve]

"It's an animal. It does what it's instincts tell it to do. It's not the animal's fault why he's loose, why should he be killed ? I don't get it."

You're right, you don't get it. The only thing that keeps those things from eating people is fear, and this one is not afraid. It needs to be put down before it gives some jogger a fatal nip on the back of the neck.

[fire_eye]

I'm just trying to help you learn to play "Brainwashed Commuchusetts Lieberal" so your wackjob leftist neighbors won't spot you for an Evil Republican Right-Wing Extremist and turn you in to the State Department of Social Rehabilitation or something...

[Lunkhead_01]

I think the Bush-Cheney 04 signs in the windows of the house and the cars have me pretty much labeled as an Evil Right-Wing Republican Extremist. The odd thing is that once you get outside I-495 DemonRATS tend to be in shorter supply. Perhaps the mountain lions have been eating them. They act like chickens; maybe they taste like chicken.

[Smokin' Joe]

Three 'S' time. Shoot, shovel, shut up.

[Richard-SIA]

Or, better yet, after they kill and skin it they can auction off the hide on-line, to recover their expenses in protecting the public.

I need several hides to make a coat, be sure to post the URl to the auction for this Cougar skin.

The meat is reported to be very tasty, the big cats dine mostly on venison.
They can serve it at the local jail, or a local indigent's boarding facility.

Support recycling!

[Bandaneira]

Messianic prophecies anyone...i.e. Isaiah

[Right Wing Professor]

Never appear submissive. To explain this strategy to the average Boston resident, this means treating the cat as if it were a woman holding a pro-life sign instead of treating it as if it were a terrorist burning an American flag.

LOL!

There have been quite a few confirmed sightings recently here in Eastern Nebraska (one was captured in Omaha last year) and even some in Iowa. Mountain lions wander hundreds of miles, particularly young males. Despite being daytime predators, they manage to stay out of sight very effectively most of the time. I'd guess quite a few people have been close enough to one that they would require a change of underclothing if they ever found out.

Only one I ever saw was in Cali. (upper Carmel valley)

[Timm]

I know coyotes are a real threat here in MA, especially to pets and children. (Also to adults, but only if you're caught with your pants down, figuratively, and perhaps literally if you're out in the woods.)

Coyotes are no threat to you, or even to children above toddler age. Southern California is *full* of coyotes, and I think there has been only one incident of a coyote attacking a kid. A toddler got a nip from one in his front yard somewhere in the L.A. hills. I mean, you've got to understand that L.A. is literally crawling with coyotes, and no one is attacked. They're very skittish about people, and will take off if you come near them.

The same is true for the coyotes who've made their way east in the past three decades.

Watch out for your pets, though. That part you've got right.

[SamAdams76]

I go walking in the woods in Acton all the time. As well as other towns in the area such as Carlisle, Concord, Bedford, Groton, Pepperell and my hometown of Chelmsford. Haven't seen any mountain lions but a lot of deer. This morning's walk is going to be COLD!