Mountain Lion shot in Iowa
- Thread starter AR Tom
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centerfire_223
New member
Its just the oppisite here in SC, the bobcats are legal but the lions are illegal. Though the DNR says we don't have any lions. But that isn't what the article in the paper was telling last week.
Ronnie
Ronnie
ghostbuster
New member
AR Tom...I`m glad you posted the story about the areas latest mountain lion episode that resulted in a killed cat about 30 miles from here over in Iowa. On 10/3 I posted the thread about the cat that was captured in west metro Omaha (you did respond to that thread) and mentioned one of the more popular theories about the sudden surge in sightings may have to do with the state DNR secretly releasing the cats in an effort to reduce deer populations. I`m not really sold on that theory myself but something is definitely up with all the cats showing up over the last few years...maybe the huge deer herds back here are bringing them into the midwest, or maybe CWD in the deer herds out west have pushed the animals east for a "healthier" meal. Of course it could be natural expansion of the mountain lions range but again, too many and too quick for me to buy into.Here is a question I have recently asked myself (as probably many others around here have as well)...you finish up with a rabbit distress series on the call and scan the downwind side of your setup for mister yote and all of a sudden there he is, crouched low and creeping in at 50 yards comes a 100+ pound lion...hmmm, this is a fine mess I have gotten myself into would be my first thought...then I`d probably stand up and yell in an effort to scare it off...after that, its survival of the fittest if he doesn`t leave. Hope it never happens but too many recent sightings tell me it is only a matter of time before some poor hunter/trapper gets face to face with one of these beautiful animals and comes out on the short end of the stick! Good hunting-GB
There have been several confirmed sightings of Mountain Lions in Missouri recently. It is illegal to shoot one unless it is endangering you or your livestock. The MO Dept. of Conservation stresses that if you shoot one, you better have very good evidence of a threat or you will be fined heavily.
The theory of the DNR releasing big cats in our states is ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that a State would open itself up to the liability caused by such actions. As stated in a previous post, the cats are moving East due to the plentiful food sources we have here.
The theory of the DNR releasing big cats in our states is ridiculous. I find it hard to believe that a State would open itself up to the liability caused by such actions. As stated in a previous post, the cats are moving East due to the plentiful food sources we have here.
Bobcats are protected in Iowa, but mountain lions are not.
Where did you see that? Bobcats are not "protected", there is a continuously closed season on them. There is no hunting season on mountain lion, moose, elk. That means you can not shoot them. The only justifiable way to shoot a mountain lion is if it poses a DIRECT threat to a person or livestock. Just seeing a mountain lion does not make it a threat.
Remember a few years ago when that moose wandered down into Iowa (as they sometimes do)? It was in the news and they were following the sightings of it as it made its way south. Then some dumbass poacher shot it (anyone shooting game outside the law is by definition a poacher, not a hunter). Man, did they throw the book at him. So now we have a couple farmers see a mountain lion and shoot it "because there is livestock and children in the area" and they get to keep the hide and no fines or anything? What a crock. If it had been a "hunter" that shot it in the same area they would have prosecuted the crap out of him, or if they thought it was justified at least taken the hide.
Don't get me wrong, if I'm out coyote hunting and a mountain lion comes stalking me, I'm gonna try and scare him off. But if he keeps coming and looks like he's gonna pounce, he's getting shot with whatever I have on hand and I'll take my chances with the DNR believing me.
With the increase in the deer heard (probably the cougars main food source) it should be no suprise that they are moving back into areas that they have long been absent. Just last week, during our early muzzleloader hunt, I ran into a bow hunter that said he and a DNR officer sighted one lounging in a tree in the very same area we were hunting.
Where did you see that? Bobcats are not "protected", there is a continuously closed season on them. There is no hunting season on mountain lion, moose, elk. That means you can not shoot them. The only justifiable way to shoot a mountain lion is if it poses a DIRECT threat to a person or livestock. Just seeing a mountain lion does not make it a threat.
Remember a few years ago when that moose wandered down into Iowa (as they sometimes do)? It was in the news and they were following the sightings of it as it made its way south. Then some dumbass poacher shot it (anyone shooting game outside the law is by definition a poacher, not a hunter). Man, did they throw the book at him. So now we have a couple farmers see a mountain lion and shoot it "because there is livestock and children in the area" and they get to keep the hide and no fines or anything? What a crock. If it had been a "hunter" that shot it in the same area they would have prosecuted the crap out of him, or if they thought it was justified at least taken the hide.
Don't get me wrong, if I'm out coyote hunting and a mountain lion comes stalking me, I'm gonna try and scare him off. But if he keeps coming and looks like he's gonna pounce, he's getting shot with whatever I have on hand and I'll take my chances with the DNR believing me.
With the increase in the deer heard (probably the cougars main food source) it should be no suprise that they are moving back into areas that they have long been absent. Just last week, during our early muzzleloader hunt, I ran into a bow hunter that said he and a DNR officer sighted one lounging in a tree in the very same area we were hunting.
Bobcats are protected in Iowa, but mountain lions are not.
Where did you see that?
It has been a while since I have posted here but this topic caught my eye.
As amazing as that law may sound AR Tom is right.
This is right form the IA DNR sire.
"7) Did the DNR release large predators in Iowa?
The DNR has not released mountain lions, bobcats, timber wolves, or black bears in Iowa and has NO plans to do so. Mountain lions and bobcats are on the increase because of very low interest in trapping continent wide due to low fur prices. Also, animal rights activists have succeeded in ending spring lion hunting in the West, where most lion populations remain. Wolves and black bears are on the increase in Minnesota and Wisconsin, because of introduced populations of wolves (they are on the Federal Endangered and Threatened Species list) and restrictions on spring bear hunting in the U.S. and Canada. All four species are moving into Iowa (or will soon), because of these increases in their numbers elsewhere.
Cougars are not protected in Iowa. Therefore, if you feel threatened by a cougar, you may shoot it and not suffer recourse from the DNR. Cougars are generally shy, secretive animals that avoid humans at all costs. We have not had any reports of close contact with humans, but if the occasion occurs, then you should contact your local conservation officer immediately."
Sounds like it's a good idea to always feel threatened by lions in IA if you have a gun in your hand.
Tim
Where did you see that?
It has been a while since I have posted here but this topic caught my eye.
As amazing as that law may sound AR Tom is right.
This is right form the IA DNR sire.
"7) Did the DNR release large predators in Iowa?
The DNR has not released mountain lions, bobcats, timber wolves, or black bears in Iowa and has NO plans to do so. Mountain lions and bobcats are on the increase because of very low interest in trapping continent wide due to low fur prices. Also, animal rights activists have succeeded in ending spring lion hunting in the West, where most lion populations remain. Wolves and black bears are on the increase in Minnesota and Wisconsin, because of introduced populations of wolves (they are on the Federal Endangered and Threatened Species list) and restrictions on spring bear hunting in the U.S. and Canada. All four species are moving into Iowa (or will soon), because of these increases in their numbers elsewhere.
Cougars are not protected in Iowa. Therefore, if you feel threatened by a cougar, you may shoot it and not suffer recourse from the DNR. Cougars are generally shy, secretive animals that avoid humans at all costs. We have not had any reports of close contact with humans, but if the occasion occurs, then you should contact your local conservation officer immediately."
Sounds like it's a good idea to always feel threatened by lions in IA if you have a gun in your hand.
Tim
Well I'll be! Thanks for the info. Tim. I searched the DNR site and found it. Guess I will always feel threatened by mountain lions when I go into the woods from now on. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Kind of like states that say you can shoot varmints, etc. if they "are doing, or about to do damage". They are always "about" to do damage, aren't they? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Don't know how confident I would be in my 50 gr. bullet out of a .223 killing one of these beasts, though?
As far as bobcats are concerned, I was just pointing out that they aren't a "protected" species, like being on the endangered species list. There just isn't any open seasons on them. I think if the DNR decides at some point that there is enough of them here, they could decide to open a season on them. What ever the wording is though, for all practical purposes they are "protected" here. At least for now.
As far as bobcats are concerned, I was just pointing out that they aren't a "protected" species, like being on the endangered species list. There just isn't any open seasons on them. I think if the DNR decides at some point that there is enough of them here, they could decide to open a season on them. What ever the wording is though, for all practical purposes they are "protected" here. At least for now.