Cougar in the GSMNP?

[HuskerFlyFisher]

I know this has been debated for years - proponents of a cougar population in the Smokies say that there are very few of them, hence rarely seen. Opponents say they died off years ago, and if there was a cougar population in the Smokies, eventually skat or a video of one would come up.

Any thoughts from the fly fishers?

[BlueRaiderFan]

My opinion: I doubt it. There may be two or three between NC, TN and N. Georgia but if they were in the park, they would have attacked a human by now. Look at their behavior out west; they regularly attack hikers/joggers/etc.

[narcodog]

I would like to see one or two. Maybe they would kill some of those **** hogs.

[duckypaddler]

Although they are usually in packs, or with a mate

I just usually smile as I walk by, and be sure to answer any questions they might have.

Freddie & I even got to help a young one cross the stream right before 23. Her boyfriend even had hiking sticks and didn't give them to her

[silvercreek]

Originally Posted by BlueRaiderFan

My opinion: I doubt it. There may be two or three between NC, TN and N. Georgia but if they were in the park, they would have attacked a human by now. Look at their behavior out west; they regularly attack hikers/joggers/etc.

Seems like there have been some hikers that have never been found. Hmmm.

[Flat Fly n]

Seen them mostly in the campgrounds sitting beside an old Airstream with a gin and tonic in their paws and dragging on a Malboro!

[Rog 1]

My late cousin swore one ran in front of his car one night coming over New Found Gap...whether there are "original" remains of a line up there I won't guess...but I have not doubt that cats from here in Florida do move north in there attempts to claim new ground.

[pmike]

My wife and I were driving along Little River Road from Sugarlands toward Townsend just about dusk and one came running down off the mountain, briefly hesitating in front of us just long enough for us to see it's long tail and face.

The show, "American Diggers" with the former wrestler Ric Savage, was filiming an artifact dig in Cherokee on the NC side and as they filmed an adult cougar crossed the trail they were walking on just a few yards in front of them. The video is easy to find of you do a search for it.

Mike

[Bran]

Wow, I want to see that! I looked at u tube and Google and tried a couple of routes to the video but evidently the network put a clamp on it. I can't find it, just a couple short stories about it. I beleive they're there personally. Just too many sightings not to be something to it.

http://www.yourgv.com/index.php/opin...esday-april-11

This is a link to an editorial letter in my home town in Southern VA, which followed several stories that were ran in the paper about the local cats and evidence to support those claims. It has drawn quite a bit of attention as you can imagine.
I'm just waiting to run up on one some day, but, we've had high numbers of bobcats all of my life and I've only seen 2 alive, so if the cougars are that secretive we may never see one.

[BlueRaiderFan]

Originally Posted by silvercreek

Seems like there have been some hikers that have never been found. Hmmm.

They probably didn't have one of JoeFreds maps. There is one in my living room right now...she can be cranky.