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FW: [RC] Mt. Lion attacks - Mike Sherrell

Quite possibly the best sport on horseback, better than bullfighting, foxhunting or steeplechasing, used to be boarhunting with a lance.

 

Regards,

 

Mike Sherrell

Grizzly Analytical

www.grizzlyanalytical.com

707 887 2919; fax = 707 887 9834

From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Barbara McCrary
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 3:20 PM
To: Kathie Ford; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] Mt. Lion attacks

 

Two contributing factors to mountain lion re-population in our area:  Lack of deer hunters and influx of wild pigs.  A few decades ago, the hunter population was hard at work here in Swanton, keeping the deer down to a reasonable number.  Very few dedicated hunters here anymore, and the deer are plentiful.  Wild pigs appeared in the fall of 1983; rumor has it they were planted by someone who wanted a game animal to hunt.  For awhile, they were thick around here, doing vast damage to the land, like giant rototillers all through the pastures.  Hunters have reduced them to a more controllable number.  I can't imagine a more tasty morsel for a lion than a baby porker.  Our dog used to nail a piglet every once in awhile, and the mother would just run away.  So I can't imagine a sow would stand up to a lion who was taking one of her brood.  And beside, if you have 16 kids, you wouldn't miss one particularly.  I once saw a sow with 16 piglets.

So, we have restricted hunting, a generous supply of meat, and what is a poor lion to do but move in and avail himself to the bounty?  I do rather resent the fact that I don't feel perfectly safe hiking out onto the ridges in the early morning as we used to do.

 

Barbara

----- Original Message -----

From: Kathie Ford

Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 9:44 AM

Subject: [RC] Mt. Lion attacks

 

That is very sad and scary and I wouldn't want it to happen to my own at all.  However they are here all over Calif.  Once again, very ironically timely post (just like the bear topic) as at the American River Ride on Saturday just after I left to go back to Auburn (from Cool VC) my husband said a rider came in; he didn't know if it was a sweep rider or whoever, but the person said a Mt. Lion was spotted on the trail about a 1/2 mile out and for riders to be careful.  As far as I know all riders had no issues w/wildlife that day (except for abig old rattlesnake in the road just prior to the skatepark coming into Auburn in the am..) and I don't think the cat was spotted again. I was surprised however, that it was out in the open in the middle of the day.  Maybe Dawn can kick in here on that for more info.
 
Still, part of the environment. As Dawn says, carry pepper spray and I believe she also has mentioned, put your animals in at night if you can. She also had what I thought was a good idea to draw eyes on your horses rear end...I guess you must have to have some artistic abilities though!  She can elaborate on that...:)
 
Also, Dawn, if you are reading this post this am, best wishes for Apache to get better!  Sorry to hear he was ill.  For those who don't know, Apache is Dawns Mt. Lion she has cared for for years, and in his young years was incorporated into her education program.
 
kathie

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