The cougar (Puma concolor) (/ k u r /, KOO-gr) is a large cat native to the Americas. SAN FRANCISCO A mountain lion that attacked a 5-year-old boy and dragged the child across his front lawn in Southern California was shot . A Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep traveled over 180 miles from southeastern Arizona to a remote mountain range in New Mexicoonly to meet its end at the claws of a mountain lion. Already, urban expansion and roads are making it difficult for mountain lions to move and disperse normally in the state. Gaynor, 2008, Reuters, U.S. man attacked, eaten by mountain lion, Goldman, 1998, Defenders of Wildlife, Mountain Lion Complaint Filed, Hill, 2008, Sun-News, Pinos Altos Lion Killed, Hill, 2008, Sun-News, Big cat blamed in mans death, Hummels, 2000, The New Mexican, NM Senate committee rejects proposal to stall cougar killings, Ibanga, 2008, , Father Saves Son From Wildcat Mauling, Kalvelage, 2012, Ruidoso News, Mountain lion roaming Alto Lakes again, KDBC 4 News Staff, 2008, KDBC 4 News, Mountain Lion Attacks, Kills Poodle in Las Cruces, Macalady, 1999, High Country News, A bighorn dilemma, Mardis, 2008, , Parents say NM boy mauled by mountain lion, Matlock, 2007, The New Mexican, Officials say cougar sightings on the rise, Medina, 2008, Sun-News, Mountain lion preys on pet poodle in Las Cruces, Medina, 2008, Sun-News, Mountain lion that killed poodle not yet captured, Montoya Bryan, 2008, Associated Press, New Mexico looks at its hunting rules, Montoya Bryan, N/A, Associated Press, New Mexico considers downlisting endangered sheep, Neary, 1999, The New Mexican, NM Game department wants to kill cougars to help bighorn sheep, Neary, 2000, The New Mexican, NM state to kill 34 mountain lions to protect bighorn sheep, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 2007, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Meetings Scheduled Statewide to Discuss Bear, Cougar Management, Richards, 2005, Wyoming Outdoor Industry, Mule vs Mountain Lion, Smalling, 2000, The New Mexican, New Mexico cougar policy is based on flawed logic, Summar, 2007, Albuquerque Journal, More Cougar Sightings Reported, Taos News, 2008, Taos News, Man attacked by mountain lion at Taos Ski Valley, Thompson, 2000, Albuquerque Journal, Judge Halts Federal Cougar Kills in New Mexico- No change in state hunting plans, Unknown, 1999, Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc., Department Promotes Flawed Cougar Killing Policy in Attempt to Protect Desert Bighorn Sheep. The lower chamber, the House of Representatives, consists of 70 members who serve 2-year terms. Before offering my thoughts, regarding one of the above posts, I offer the following correction: * Matilda Mae Samuel (7) - July 1976 - Gold River, British Columbia, Canada Killed by a mountain lion while walking on a road. Then he swapped ends, looking directly at me, hissing, and swatting the air. 206 4/8: Rio Arriba County. Quickly I drew the bow, and I aimed the arrow. Visit our. MLF can only assume that NMDGFs use of the new 2010 lion population density model is based more on political concerns rather than biological evidence, for the express purpose of justifying the increased mountain lion hunting quotas since 2010. But taking a record mountain lion took him by surprise. Required fields are marked *. Breathe deep, make your case, be valiant on the Heros Journey., Your email address will not be published. Just after the first of the year in the high country, the temperatures are dry and cool with snow likely. Breathe deep, make your case, be valiant on the Heros Journey. Many cedars dotted the area. The antlers were officially scored as American typical elk with a final score of 338 0/8. The houndsall of the Plott strainhad been let out of their boxes, and most of them seemed anxious to get on with the hunt. About 90 percent of the total deaths since 1971 were a result of recreational hunting. Game and Fish officers and federal Wildlife Services agents continued searching for the animal Tuesday. Size and weight of cougars vary. We are Certified by Independent Charities of America as a, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Cat-Rescue-Tampa-FL/122174836956?ref=ts, Putins PR Blunder: How an Endangered Tiger Paid the Price, Awe-Inspiring Video Captures Rare Sumatran Tiger Cub Birth, Eighty-pound pet cougar raised in Bronx apartment is surrendered to sanctuary Daily Mail. Kindness, Loyalty, Be Brave. Why are people who say, Look at the big beautiful animal compelled to shoot them?, To which I ask, Why will anyone, compelled to comment with great energy on matters deemed worthy, by their cavalier composition, diminish the very nobility of what they infer to be defending?. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. You can submit comments through March 12, but we recommend submitting as soon as possible. Since the lion characteristically eats only what it itself has killed, the animal cannot be baited like the black bear. Mountain Lion Killed by Colorado Runner With Bare Hands Was a 'Kitten' Three to Four Months Old. No, just how many sheep its been killing.. (Photograph courtesy of the Boone and Crockett Club), Chris Robb and guide with #2 New Mexico nontypical elk, taken in Catron County, 1998. I had to remind myself that the cat hadnt even been seen yet. Without warning, Ranger broke loose from Bob. This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats. I fell 10 feet off a rock face on the way down.''. Fowler, 2007, Cibola Beacon, Lions and bears, oh my! The wildlife agency estimates 3,000 to 7,000 lions live in Colorado. Once a lion has made a kill, it usually goes for a quick liver or heart feast, then sleeps it off nearby. I sensed that he was getting ready to jump out if he could only find space below the tree. My wife turned to me and said, This is a big deal, isnt it? In 1999, NMDGF implemented a mountain lion harvest quota system based on Game Management Unit (GMU). The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 54: May 12, 2015: Laclede: Adult, male mountain lion killed in a vehicle collision. This program continued in New Mexico until 1970. . "New Mexico has a healthy population of mountain lions and people who live around them must learn to take precautions and avoid dangerous encounters.". All rights reserved. Donald Wenner with New Mexicos #6 black bear, taken in Catron County in 2005. 4. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal, Big Cat Rescue is accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries, We are Certified by Independent Charities of America as a Best in America Charity, This website uses cookies. According to one listing, the largest mountain lion ever killed by a bowhunter had a skull that scored 15 7/16 that's nearly as large as the largest mountain lion ever recorded. 1. By now I was plenty excited. 6. (Photo: Courtesy of Boone and Crockett Club), New Mexico record desert bighorn sheep. As the hounds tried to reach him, he spat and waved a claw-extended paw in defiance. More to . A mountain lion attacked and killed a Los Angeles resident's pet chihuahua on an evening walk in the Hollywood Hills, according to KTLA . In fact, what precipitated Daniels trip to the office that day was his CHOICE to come to the defense of another boy who was being teased by some other students that had taken his coat from him. That lion had scored 15 4/16 inches, and Dr. Smiths record had never been challenged in the last decade. Here are 4 very scary mountain lion/cougar encounters caught on camera that will give you anxiety!Make sure to l. Here is a list of Official Measurers you may contact to have your trophy officially scored. P-81, who was 4 years old, is one of nine mountain lions fatally struck by vehicles since March of last . An original score chart signed and dated by an official B&C measurer. . The first conviction is punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine depending on the specific offense: illegally taking, attempting to take, killing, capturing or possessing a mountain lion during a closed season results in a fine of $400 per animal; hunting mountain lions without a valid license results in a $100 fine; exceeding the bag limit results in a $400 fine; attempting to exceed the bag limit is punished by a $200 fine. A copy of the hunting license and/or tag for this trophy. The last reported human killing by a lion in New Mexico was in 1974 when an 8-year-old Arroyo Seco boy was killed by a 47-pound female mountain lion. By leaping desperately, he landed in the lower limbs of the tree. On March 29, a Canadian mother fought off a juvenile male mountain lion that was attacking her 7-year-old son outside her home, but that's not the only dangerous encounter humans have had with mountain lions, also known as cougars, in recent months. We were midway up the side of the main canyon. Then I had to crawl backwards down the mountain with him to get him to the truck I fell 10ft off a rock face on the way down lol. He then signed a one year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, and announced his retirement from professional football in July 2022. Rick Winslow, a Game and Fish large carnivore biologist, said it's rare for a mountain lion to kill a human. While the bill was eventually tabled for lack of information, it did cause NMDGF to produce a detailed report on lions in New Mexico (Evans 1983). largest mountain lion killed in new mexico. That is one of the biggest lion tracks Ive ever seen in all my years of guiding, Bill exclaimed. Rod knew time was against him. Cougars are easily distinguished from bobcats (except when kittens). Unknown, 1998, The New Mexico Game Commission, APNM Sues New Mexico Game Commission for Cougar Killing Plans, Unknown, N/A, Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc., APNM Historical Involvement in Cougar Protection. But, just how are these scores derived? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The wildlife agency said the male mountain lion was estimated to weigh 170 pounds and measure 7 feet, 6 inches long without the tail, which can grow to 3 feet long. *Predator Control* Late Tuesday night I got a call from@huntnestto see if I wanted to stalk a giant Tom (male mountain lion) who has been wreaking havoc in a rural neighborhood, Wolfe wrote. The cougar looked as hefty as a full-grown man. He disappeared over a small ridge ahead, tail wagging with excitement. Mountain Lion Foundation We found a fresh 44 mule deer he had just killed. Such thinking precludes a lot of good, blinding otherwise capable people who long for a purposeful life to the innumerable opportunities surrounding their desire to be fulfilled as a Difference Maker. With my release, the arrow was on its way in a black-and-yellow flash. Texas Game Wardens responded to the report of a dead mountain lion Saturday morning in the median just south of Sebastian in Willacy County near the floodway, state officials said. The lions are not suspected of killing the victim, according. Since our summary below may not be completely up to date, you should be sure to review the most current law for the New Mexico. The first was in 2007 when he bagged a record-book mountain lion. CNN . On average, it may kill a larger animal once a week. (Photograph courtesy of B. Neal Ainsworth, Jr.), New Mexico record typical elk, picked up in Catron County in 1997. The Dodge family in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, captured an image of a. Aug. 29, 2021, 2:05 AM PDT. Click on the tabs below to learn more about mountain lion policy, laws, alerts, and more! We only knew that he was somewhere in the huge canyon complex. Lane Ferguson. Prospective hunters must apply for a lion license and pass a certification course that is an extra requirement for lionsbefore purchasing a license. Welcome to the spookiest channel on youtube! Derek Wolfe, a former NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion, slayed a massive mountain lion in Colorado. The chance of taking a larger one would be remote, I thought to myself. In all my years of hunting, Ive never seen one, he said. # 94-3015360) | Copyright 1988-2023. A Fort Collins man man killed a young mountain lion with his hands after the lion attacked him while he was running at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space in February 2019. The wildlife agency confirmed Wolfe was properly licensed to kill the lion and followed the mandatory reporting process. NEW Mike Gallo 2013 The Boone and Crockett Club officially certified the world record pronghorn, which came from central New Mexico. Mountain Lions in the State of New Mexico Like most states, New Mexico's first lion management plan took the form of paying a bounty for every lion killed. Following that experience, I did not plan to ever hunt another cougar, mainly because I already had an excellent trophy. The footing was extremely unstable, and once three of us were down at the same time. A maximum of 14 mountain lions can be lethally removed from GMU-30 in any given year as part of this program. The maps show that Southern California and the Bay Area host the most dangerous roads for mountain lions, with local extinction becoming more likely each year. I worried about my camera as we slipped and slid down the slope. 6:43 PM on Mar 3, 2018 CST Curiosity has gotten the better of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials after a mountain lion was killed this week on State Highway 337 north of Mineral. Information on finding your state legislators can be foundhere. I was intimidated.. 214 2/8: Colfax County. No obvious signs indicating it was a captive animal. Bradley's cat is No. Within a second, the dog was knocked to the ground, having had a sample of lion teeth and claws. With the price off its head, the lion gained new stature, and in July 1965, the state declared it to be a big-game animal, subject to regular seasons, limits, and licenses. Black appears on the muzzle, backs of the ears and the tip of the tail. They were basically on call when conditions were good. Critically endangered species, such as the Mexican gray wolf, have also been killed and injured in traps, including two wolves caught in traps in New Mexico in the past six months.. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. This particular model divided 92 percent of the state into four distinct mountain lion habitat categories: Core, Minimum Patch, Dispersal, and Poor / Marginal; and assigned population density ranges for each category. (Photograph courtesy of the Boone and Crockett Club. PINOS ALTOS, N.M. Medical investigators have confirmed that a mountain lion was responsible for the death of a man who had been reported missing. ), B. Neal Ainsworth, Jr. with New Mexico record Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, taken on Taos Pueblo, in Taos County in 2005. 2010. In 2008, NMDGF used a Mountain Lion Population Density Model based on a GIS-mapped habitat study funded by the conservation organization, Animal Protection of New Mexico. Not everyone was happy with Wolfe, who is currently a sports talk radio host at 104.3 the Fan in Denver. They released the hounds and the pack rocketed uphill. It seemed the lion was heading downward toward a small side canyon. According to a New . Cougar ID Course(via theNMDGF Online Licensing System), Check for Cougar Zone Closures It hit the animal, then sliced through and bounced high into the air. Ranking top four seeds based on who should worry most in divisional round, Sign up to get the latest news and stories sent to your inbox, Wolfe played for University of Cincinnati, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was sporting his favorite dark brown Stetson hat and green insulated coat. The biggest lion species known to mankind is the Barbary lion, however, it is known that they became extinct some time ago. Another lion-kill was lying in a shallow depression partly covered with brush and dirt. New Mexico also has two long-term programs which attempt to protect other species by lethally removing mountain lions from specific geographic locations. We've received your submission. Hes in that juniper near the edge of the cliff., Hes climbing right to the top, Bob exclaimed. We hiked straight up 2500ft and down the other side, then back up again, back down the other side and then back up again to 9600ft. These conditions are just right for tracking the elusive puma. ' Bradley said. The authorities were called, and the animal was confirmed dead. The annual fee to hunt a lion is $52.60 for Colorado residents and $358.23 for nonresidents, plus a habitat stamp of $10.59. No more than four commissioners may be from the same political party. By The Associated Press. The Hero reasons that No, not all is OK. In 1986, The Commission ordered NMDGF to preemptively kill mountain lions found on ranches that had more than 6 verified lion depredation occurrences in any 3-year period. All rights reserved. I sprinted as fast as I could but was losing ground with every stride. Bighorn sheep hunting-tags auction off for large sums of money, thereby providing an economic incentive for NMDGF to remove natural predators and assist bighorn sheep herds which have been decimated by detrimental climate, deteriorating habitat, and diseases introduced by domestic sheep grazing on public lands. In 1971 the species became a game animal and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish initiated recreational hunting of lions. It returns to feed from its kill for several days. The Democratic Party has controlled both houses of the New Mexico Legislature since at least 1992. Because of all his guiding experience, hes got a lot of confidence in himself, and some of it rubs off on his hunters. 77 overnight last weekend, the fourth confirmed lion found in the Valley in the past 15 years. For an accurate total score, one must measure the top part of the skull only, adding the width and length together. This seemed like an encouraging sign. Special sessions may only last 30 days. 5. | Weve got some catching up to do, Bill informed me. Coyotes. From National Park Service. Toll-free Harvest Hotline (877) 950-5466. The boy was dragged by the mountain lion about 45 yards and suffered significant trauma to his head and upper body, but was in stable condition at a Los Angeles hospital on Saturday, The Associated Press reported. Cougars are much larger than bobcats, and have long tails that measure approximately one-third of the overall body length. The upper chamber, the Senate, is made up of 42 members who are elected to 4-year terms. The legislatures regular sessions last 60 days in odd-numbered years and 30 days in even-numbered years. However, it had first clipped a small twig and then ricocheted, striking the cat too far back to be a good shot. One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below. P-22 is believed to have the smallest home range of any adult . Rifles are the usual manner of take. Mountain lions are known by many names, including cougar, puma, catamount, painter, panther, and many more. Eventually, Wolfe said he was "exhausted, dehydrated, cramping" and killed the mountain lion with a bow and arrow. The weather was 12 degrees below zero. Wolfe said he hiked up 2,500 feet and down the other side of a. (Photograph courtesy of the Boone and Crockett Club), New Mexico record nontypical mule deer, taken by Joseph A. Garcia in Rio Arriba County, 1963. The cold wind caused my eyes to water, blurring my vision as I strained to see. Hahaha use hundos on fishing line too lure those cougars in for the kill. (The resident fee is currently $25, with nonresident fee being $50.) The guides kept saying, Look at the size of that cat,' Bradley said. The date was December 12, 1967. Did you hear anything about its size? I asked. TheNew Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF)enforces the states wildlife laws and theNew Mexico State Game Commissionsregulations. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife study indicated the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson counties contain some of the highest concentrations of mountain lions reported in the U.S. Mountain lions have been spotted in Fort Collins periodically. New Mexico has two long-term programs which attempt to protect other species by lethally removing mountain lions from specific geographic locations. In New Mexicos legal code, Puma concoloris generally referred to as cougar.. That call came on a Monday evening in December 2007 with simple instructions: Be here tomorrow. For picked up trophies, or trophies of unknown origin. The Boone and Crockett record book published in 1964 shows no larger mountain lions having ever been taken in Colorado, with the exception of the famous giant world record cat shot by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. As we topped a rocky cedar-covered bench, we saw the hound going around in circles with his head in the air. Taken in Socorro County by Jim Hens in 2013. 2019: New Mexico State Game Commission voted to end cougar trapping in certain parts of the state. Hearing a commotion ahead, we were just in time to see the lion leap up on a rock. See more about the Big Game Records Program. He was howling like crazy. 3. Rarely considered among the masses is the tragedy of those whose life is perceived an endless, empty social wasteland, constantly dealing with their very own private newscasts, that of a constantly replayed and most painful story, burdened by the accumulation of adverse years that always long for inclusion, for laughter, for loving, and for the emotional abundance that is constantly observed, but escaping their experience. It was his opinion that the lion had drifted into the area about a month before, possibly from Utah. In management zones in which the commission wishes to increase the mountain lion population, the limit is set at less than or equal to 17% of the areas mountain lion population and no more than 30% of its female population. One was killed. The minimum score for a typical elk to be considered for the All-Time Awards Book is 375. To refresh this page in most browsers (you browser may vary) hold down the Control key and press F5. The biker. It sounded like a cat was treed. When Bradley arrived, he wasnt prepared for what he saw, and it wasnt just the animals size. P-78 was the 23rd mountain lion and the seventh radio-collared animal to die from road mortality in the study area involving mountain lions since 2002, officials said. He was killed in 1936 in South Africa. I gripped the string of my bow tightly. A deputy had to shoot and kill a mountain lion that was following a family and couldn't be scared away, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office says. The morning was fruitless, but midday they crossed a fresh set of tracks. About a mile before we turned into the long ranch drive, five deer ran across the road ahead of us. About 15 minutes later, the sound of the baying hounds abruptly changed. 1996, To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety; and to provide for off-highway motor vehicle recreation (Read more), Phone: (505) 476-8000 | Toll-free (888) 248-6866, Copyright 2016 New Mexico Department of Game & Fish | All Rights Reserved, (505) 476-8000 | Toll-free (888) 248-6866. 2. Sacramento, CA 95812 Here's what he said. 1. For hunter taken trophies, 1. The agency offers another season April 1-30 in certain hunting units. Depredation is defined in New Mexico as property damage by protected wildlife on privately owned or leasehold interest land, where damage value exceeds applicable income earned on that site from the wildlife species causing damage.. In a second I was up and running downhill, dodging bushes and rocks. struck an animal on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, about 45 miles east of Greenwich. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and New Mexico Department of Transportation are accepting public feedback on their draft New Mexico Wildlife Corridors Action Plan. The hunters signature must be witnessed by a B&C Official Measurer or a notary public. They are the most wide-ranging cat species in the world and are found as far north as Canada and as far south as Chile. Some even grew to lengths that ranged between 9.8 feet and 10.8 feet. In 1971, mountain lions became a protected species, under the management authority of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. In 2019, a dog named Roxy was caught in an illegally placed trap and died of suffocation, galvanizing a statewide movement against trapping. Just $1 per month , A winter bowhunting adventure for a Pope and Young mountain lion comes down to the wire, By Yesterday he heard the government hunter was called over to check on a lion causing a ruckus with sheep down near the Colorado-Utah border. Tips for personalizing your comment can be found at the link. A Hunter, Guide and Hunt information form completed and signed by the hunter. . Simply "The dog was off leash, in close proximity behind the owner, when a female adult mountain lion (around. (Photograph courtesy of the Boone and Crockett Club), New Mexicos #2 typical mule deer, taken by Joseph A. Garcia in Rio Arriba County, 1965. A mountain lion that attacked a 5-year-old boy and dragged the child across his front lawn in Southern California was shot and killed by a wildlife officer, authorities said Saturday. Two human encounters in Larimer County drew national attention in recent years. While trophy hunting threatens the future of lions in New Mexico, the recent authorization of trapping has exacerbated wildlife mortality and set the state back decades in terms of management attitudes and the publics trust in the agency. A third or subsequent conviction is punishable by imprisonment between 90 and 364 days as well as a fine depending on the nature of the offense: illegally taking, attempting to take, killing, capturing or possessing a mountain lion in a closed season results in a $1,200 fine; hunting mountain lions without a valid license results in a $1,000 fine; exceeding the bag limit results in a $1,200 fine; attempting to exceed the bag limit is punished by a $1,000 fine. Bradley, 40, is a lifelong hunter with many trophy elk and mule deer to his credit. We all agreed with him. All of a sudden, Ranger opened up with that sweet sound of a dog on scent. There was a huge lion killed up in White Mountains last week that should have a record book skull that was estimated to be close to 200 lbs, everyone was surprised a bit when it only weighed 150lbs. An original score chart signed and dated by an official B&C measurer. All record data below obtained through the Boone and Crockett Clubs Online Trophy Search atwww.boone-crockett.org. Endangered Species Caught in the Middle of a Political Conflict Putin has Witnessing the Incredible Power of Nature As the sun rises over the By Adriana Diaz For Dailymail.Com Published: 00:53 EST, 1 September 2021 | Why do ppl say look at the big beautiful animal then feel compelled to shoot it? To me the pad mark looked so large it appeared to have melted out and increased in size. Box 1896 The State Game Commission sets New Mexicos mortality limit. The second came in June when he got a gold medal at the Boone and Crockett Clubs Big Game Awards in Reno. P-22 stares at a remote camera positioned in the Santa Monica Mountains in 2015. Branch and Ward chained them to nearby trees, while Bill managed to capture Ranger and chain him also. Sixty days later, after the skull had been boiled and dried, I had it officially measured by a Boone and Crockett measurer and was amazed when the final score totaled 15 7/16 inches. You can check the statutes directlyhere. The other dogs were now trying to get loose and join Ranger. More recently, in 2011, a mountain lion roamed Connecticut before being hit and killed by a car. The 2022-23 regular hunting season runs Nov. 28 to March 31. Patrick Foy, a spokesman . Average length from nose to tail-tip ranges from 6 feet . Size and weight of cougars vary. The one confirmed case, sometimes referred to as the " Connecticut Mountain Lion " happened in June 2011 when an SUV struck and killed a cougar in Milford. At the 1969 Pope and Young Club awards banquet in Denver, I was awarded a plaque for my new world record. The young adult, male Mountain Lion struck and killed by a SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, Connecticut, early on the morning of June 11, 2012, provided absolutely irrefutable proof that a wild Mountain Lion, at least occasionally, can make its way to New England. Cougars are easily distinguished from bobcats (except when kittens). If an area is short on deer, you can be sure the lion hunting will be poor.