Question aboutTN mountain lions

L

Loop Wing

New member
Friend of mine swears he saw a moutain lion this weekend chasing a fawn. I am not doubting him at all. I was just wondering if there is a season on lions in TN?
 
I don't think so. He should call the TWRA and tell them about it. From what I know they are only rumors in TN.

"According to smokymountains.org, there have been many, many reported mountain lion sightings and all have been investigated and there hasn't been an substantial proof that there are any mountain lions. That's for the Great Smoky National Park, mind you. But, I looked in the encyclopedia as well and mountain lions are NOT native to Tennessee."
 
A good friend of mine saw one during black powder season, he watched it thru his scope and got a good long look at it, he ask the local game warden about it and the warden denied ther being any such beast in this part of the woods.

My cousin and I was drivin home from work one evening and saw something cross the road in front of us (about 15 seconds), we could make out the out line of its body and face but couldnt get it in the headlights for a propper inspection,,,sevral days later my cousin on his way fishing got a real good look at it, he said " I saw a bobcat this morning, man that thing hada tail about 4 feet long". I'm like "bobcats dont have 4 feet tails ya moron" it was the panther (as ther called by the old timers).

Let the TWRA say what they want, we know better, I think thers more around that people think.
 
Originally Posted By: Loop WingFriend of mine swears he saw a moutain lion this weekend chasing a fawn. I am not doubting him at all. I was just wondering if there is a season on lions in TN?

This just came up a couple weeks ago.

TN DNR states there are no Mt Lions in TN. However, If per chance one is encountered in TN they are not to be messed with and are an endangered species.

You guys have they same law as here. You cannot bother that lion UNLESS yer life is in danger and you better have some real killer lion claw scratches on you before you pull that trigger and be able to prove you killed one in self defense.

Total BS, I know. But, that's the law.
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Yeah, and they said there weren't any Florida panthers north of the Everglades until one was shot in Georgia. Kind of "an inconvenient truth".
 
This is South Carolina(Midlands). We have one in our neighborhood too. Everyone thinks you are a nut when you tell'em about it, so I generally don't bring up the subject. I have seen it before. It is also very vocal at times. As far as I know it has been around here off and on for three years. As far as I know; but it could have been much longer. IF given the chance "I WILL SHOOT IT".
 
Well, if yous have the same law there as here, I wouldnt go making that statement on the net, TGC.

You never know who is watching?

Just some friendly advice.
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Originally Posted By: KizmoYeah, and they said there weren't any Florida panthers north of the Everglades until one was shot in Georgia. Kind of "an inconvenient truth".

I hear ya.

They say there's no NWO, either.
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The truth is out there......
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it's illegal to shoot one in the state of tennessee and they will pretty much call you a liar. that's what the main man in tennesse told me. another told me shoot it he'd like to see it. if he saw one he'd shoot one. basicly here's what it boils down to if you "feel" your life is threatened you have every right to shoot it. prosecutors will never find a full jury to convict you a if it would even go that far. judge will rule in your favor. shoot the dang thing
 
Many wildlife codes are written as "permissible" meaning that anything that is permitted to be hunted along with the seasons and methods are spelled out in the wildlife code. Anything NOT in the code is not permitted and thus illegal.
 
Originally Posted By: kymailman98I think you can shoot one in Kentucky, so just chase those lions up here, and I'll be glad to do shoot one for you Tennessee boys.

Hahaha! I believe "My life would definately be in danger" if I ever called one in... ha!
 
Look here, I know a lady that has pictures of the mythical cat hanging around the Jacobs Creek Shooting Range here in the Cherokee National Forest in Sullivan County. I've seen them. Sightings are usually in colder moths of Jan./Feb. .
TWRA can say what they will, they are here, maybe not in big numbers but they do still exist here. I can remember my Great Uncle John telling the story of being chased into the house one night by the big cat out in Hickory Tree,TN. where i'm from.
 
Does not matter what the state wildlife code says, Eastern Cougars are a Federally Endangered Species. The penalty for killing one is up to $50,000.00 and up to one year in federal prison, or both, plus forfeiture of any vehicle used to transport the carcass, any weapons used, etc. Why would anyone want to risk that? As far as "no jury will convict, the judge will rule in your favor", don't bet on it. Federal Judges and Federal Prosecutors DO NOT have a sense of humor!
 
talked to the main man in TN about this pretty recently. you can get in trouble for shooting one but as he stated no jury would convict someone feeling their life was endangered by one. i'm not mocking you by any means when i say this but there has been mt lion and black panther reports for as long as you can date back in TN. but there is no proof. if she has pictures please get copies and show them. most mt lion sightings turn out to be exotic cats turned loose. mainly the african caracal. to someone who has never seen a my lion they look just like one. there are also 2 species of bobcats in TN. one is what the ol timers called a hill cat. which is quiet larger than a bobcat with longer legs usually. they are more of a brown or brown gray color with less noticeable spots and a little bit longer tail. they say when you catch a glimpse of one of these or see it in the distance it reallyu resembles a lion. once again not callin ya a liar or any o that garbage just letting you in on what i learned from a previous local supposed sighting. if it's me and one comes to the call it's dead. good luck on your quest
 
Its just my opinion but i think the game commissions just say that they are exotic cats. I dont really think there is a difference. If its not typically seen there then it is exotic to the area. If they tell you that its an eastern cougar then that prevents them from being able to take the animal out if it becomes a nuisance because it is federally protected. If they say exotic cat then the rules change. I've heard of several people seeing them around here. Some people swear by it, not sure i believe them cuz i havent seen pics yet but if they are in states near by i dont think an imaginary border is going to stop them from spreadiing. Its one of those things where i dont doubt that they may be here but i wont really believe it til I see it myself.
 
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i believe the exotic explanation as i've seen a couple running loose in these parts. one local game warden told me if i called a mountain lion in to shoot it. and call him cause he'd love to see one. either way until someone comes up with one of them the game commision is right.
 
Yes they are "exotic" cats. With the term exotic being used loosely. I'm not saying what species they are but exotic cats are still mountain lions or cougars or whatever you wanna call them. Here is a link about exotic cats and getting one as a pet. Several different breeds involved but all cougars and the same makeup as a wild one.

http://www.exoticcatz.com/speciescougar.html
 


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