You said that you still hunt. I don't quite understand what you are saying. Your still killing regardless of your purpose. You say you kill to eat. Some people kill for other reasons. Killing is killing

bang dead done

Big cats are a problem everywhere in Texas. If it kills a single baby doe, that could effect your 5 year deer population by as many as 16 deer. A few years back we spotted a large cat on our property in Young County, so we asked the game warden about them. The game warden told us that the big cats will typcially roams an area 35 miles in diameter, depending on terrain. If there is a slender ridge line, like that which runs through Ranger and Palo Pinto, then a big cat could roam an oval shape pattern that stretches over 70 miles.

Shoot them on the spot.

Good looking cat.

I have no problem with shooting a Mt Lion, it is interesting t ome the differences that states have in magement of the big cats. Something that a lot of people do not realize is the size of the range these big cats have and how by their nature, the overall area covered by the cats expands. A mautre male will have a huge range and he will fight to the death other males fo defend his range if necessary to keep other males out, so young males leave the area where born to find their own home. Females have a smaller range and a mature male wants to have as many females in his range as possible. A cat will kile on average a deer a week. During the summer often one for each meal. During the winter less often that is explained by they do not like meat after it atarts to spoil.

Cats are some amazingly effective preditors, one at the Jackson Hole Elk wintering grounds survived the winter on 3 kills all mature bull elk, she was a 75lb female.

So if you wouldnt shoot one you're from the city

we have a small deer population compared to must a Mt. lion could destroy the deer hunting. kill on site

Dustin-I thought you were sharp enough to understand the general reference I was making. I was wrong.

I would bet in "general" most people on this forum are from the city and would shoot

i think i would pass on this there are not to many of them and would hate for them to be wiped out but if they got plentful taxidermy guy would be busy

Haven't been wiped out in Texas where we can shoot them. Also haven't been wiped out in California where you cannot shoot but the atate in what I have read is correct kills more than 100 a year of problem Mt Lions, some of which are just young males looking for a home range.

I hunt only for things I know myself or someone else can eat. Yes I know both involve animal death, but shooting something you're not going to use at all is not something I agree with.

Shoot!!!! And hope you are a good shot!!!!!!

Ever tried Mt Lion. I hear it is good eating, supposidly tasts a lot like rabbit. If I ever get one I will try it

Would kill it..

I would have no problems shooting one. They are one of the most prolific killers of livestock.

Several confirmed sightings on north side of Possum Kingdom lake. Friend of mine owns large ranch and raises cattle and has had no problem with cats.I had chance to shoot a young lion in Nevada 20 years ago while mule deer hunting { no tag }. He was up hill about 50 yards laying broad sided watching me and I saw his tail moving. I squalled at him and he didn't move. I picked out a pinion pine about 5' away from him and put a 270 round into it. I think he jumped 5' into the air and was gone. I don't think he had ever seen a human before.I would not shoot a bobcat,fox or lion until they become a problem. I shoot every yote and hog i have a chance at. I know the lions take their share of deer, but my friends ranch has a lot of deer on it and until they become more populated I would let one walk.

I would shoot the first one I saw, and the 100th one.... they can kill a lot of deer as well. our place is managed for deer hunting... coyotes, bobcats, and if there is a mountain lion don't last long.

Coyotes are typically a target, bobcats and foxes never a target, mountain lion??...it would depend on the location and circumstances.
The Internet sure brings out a lot of "facts", based solely on the Internet, which means a lot of BS.
Foxes (and bobcats) in particular are a means of rodent and rabbit control, though I'm sure someones brother-in-laws cousins neighbor just knows they kill deer (and/or goats) on a regular basis.

Each of us has our own reasons for shooting or not shooting certain/any predators. That is certainly a personal choice. The facts are that predators are a problem and need to be controlled, including foxes.

Yep, bobcats do indeed kill sheep and goats, and can and do pull down deer.

Not my brother in laws friend but:

Damage and Damage Identification
Bobcats are opportunistic predators, feeding on poultry, sheep, goats, house cats, small dogs, exotic birds and game animals, and, rarely, calves. Bobcats can easily kill domestic and wild turkeys, usually by climbing into their night roosts. In some areas, bobcats can prevent the successful introduction and establishment of wild turkeys or can deplete existing populations. Bobcats leave a variety of sign. Bobcat tracks are about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in diameter and resemble those of a large house cat. Their walking stride length between tracks is about 7 inches (18 cm).

Carcasses of bobcat kills are often distinguishable from those of cougar, coyote, or fox. Bobcats leave claw marks on the backs or shoulders of adult deer or antelope. On large carcasses, bobcats usually open an area just behind the ribs and begin feeding on the viscera. Sometimes feeding starts at the neck, shoulders, or hindquarters. Bobcats and cougar leave clean-cut edges of tissue or bone while coyotes leave ragged edges where they feed. Bobcats bite the skull, neck, or throat of small prey like lambs, kids, or fawns, and leave claw marks on their sides, back, and shoulders. A single bite to the throat, just behind the victim’s jaws, leaves canine teeth marks 3/4 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) apart. Carcasses that are rabbit-size or smaller may be entirely consumed at one feeding. Bobcats may return several times to feed on large carcasses.

While I agree that deer kills are probably much rarer, they do happen.



Different strokes is OK...........to each his own. I have no problem with anyone deciding not to shoot any predator. I do have a problem with folks labeling those of us that are predator hunters as merely "killers"...a big problem.

Lion is very good to eat and I think it looks like and has the consistency of pork. The taste is not really comparable to anything. I would shoot one! I have been on several hunts with friends and all have gotten good cats. Lot's of fun and hard work.

I'd shoot it and sell a kidney to have it full-body mounted.

Like others, if I were in West Texas on a place with no cattle that it was just likely to be passing through and not posing a threat to humans, I probably wouldn't shoot one just for the sake of shooting it.

If it were on a friend's ranch that was managed for deer or cows, I wouldn't even hesitate.

My buddy shot at one a few years back near Bedias, Tx. That's somewhere they don't belong, in my opinion. Nowhere they can go and not threaten people. Another buddy's uncle had a problem with one killing livestock near Huntsville. Nobody expects to see one there either.

who said you couldn't eat Mt. Lion, we got two in AZ in 2008 and we ate them... Not bad to eat actually.