David LaCourse wrote:


The leader of this pack has a big scar down the center of her back -
about 10 inches long - leading to her tail. She also has what looks
like claw mark midway on the left side of her back. They look just like
claw marks and I have asked around if mountain lions (cougars, pumas)
have ever been seen in the area. The answer from several folks is, yes,
they have been observed. I know they're in the Smokys 40 or so miles
north of us.

there is a brand of southern "shooters" (i'll never call them hunters or
sportsmen) and their radiohead dogs that are more likely connected to
the deer's scars...coyotes or barbed wire perhaps. very doubtful it was
a cougar/puma.

i've heard the stories of the cats. western carolina university nickname
is "catamount"...mountain name for the eastern cougar or mountain lion
that once roamed the area. but...i've yet to see any actual evidence of
them being current residents of the smoky mountains or blue ridge...no
eyewitnesses, no roadkill, no carcasses. i suppose there could be some,
but i doubt it. used to be a lot of elk and bison in the area too.
wildlife service says: "Lacking definitive evidence of the species'
existence, the Service has presumed the eastern cougar to be extinct.
It is improbable that a small cougar population persisted in the eastern
states for over a century. Most of the confirmed cougar records since
1950 (animals killed, good quality photos/videos, genetic evidence) are
known to be escapes of captive origin."


So, in addition to the copperheads I have also to be concerned about
mountain lions. d;o(

you've a lot more to worry about the two-legged beasts in the area than
cougars or snakes, imo.


Also did a bit of fishing this morning in the rain and cold. Not much
happening, but it was good to get out. Why does a Thermos of hot coffe
taste so good while sitting on a rock by a stream in the pouring rain?


ahhh...it's part of "the great (and wonderful) mystery", eh?

jeff