Alright Alright.

How about this?

Post a sticky to the top of this forum that whover wants to put their money where their mouth is can do so as a reward for undeniable proof of a black panther in Texas. I would put in ten bucks. We could have a running total on it. The higher it gets, the more motivation for people to find a BP. If everyone on this post put in a little then the reward would really add up.

Undeniable proof would mean finding the animal and having TPWD confirm it.

We will need a definition of "black panther" first.

I thought we had been over this ad nauseam....

Good point Orn.

Will you provide us with a defintion that would be acceptable by all that you would be willing to put money against? And maybe contact the mod to sticky the afore mentioned reward post?

A black panther is a black jaguar or a black leopard. Although they don't exist, throw in a black mountain lion for fun. Put me down for $100.

Also, a picture of a black housecat from 300 yards away is not evidence of a black panther. I think this is where the disagreement will lie, moreso than the definition of black panther, what constitutes evidence of a free ranging black panther in the state of Texas.

Because black panthers are either a black leopard or a black jaguar, I believe in order for a picture to count as evidence the spots need to be visible in the photograph.

If you see a black mountain lion, extinguish whatever your are smoking, and seek medical help immediately.

I would say that a black panther is a big black cat - not a bobcat or house cat or jagurandi - but a huge black cat.

I have never in my life heard anyone say that they've seen a black cougar or black mountain lion.

There you go.

SOunds acceptable! what say the rest of you?

Spriggss, I think someone could have a picture and just claim it was from texas so that is why TPWD would have to come and confirm by sighting the animal whether it be dead or alive in a trap or runnin around. Thanks for being willing to put 100 on it. I am sure that someone will try to find the elusive BP if the reward is high enough.

How much do you want to put on it Big Orn?


How do we get the Texas Black panther wanted dead or alive post stuck to the top for this project? ANYONE?

Big orn? would you write it up and stick it to the top? this could get fun. Or at least interesting.

If nothing else it will put an end to this particular arguementative thread for a while.

I actually hope someone finds one.. I think that would be cooll stuff.

THF could say they were the driving force behind it.

Why take Jaguarandi out of the mix? I was about to go hunting

Well? WHo is for or against a black jagarundi being in the definition?

Personally I wouldnt call a jagarundi or bobacat or other small cat a black panther. So i would retract my ten bucks if that was part of the deal.


Lets find a real BP. If anyone has the resources it is the people on THF.

Cmon big orn.

if we dont want this topic coming up again every few weeks, this is the way to do it. wouldnt ya think?

Jaguarundi is not a panther.

There are quite a few jaguarundi in Texas. They don't count, as they're the size of a big house cat. I've seen pictures from a buddy's ranch.

It has to be a black jaguar or a black leopard. There are currently zero wild in the State of Texas.

I seen a Black Panther in Texas a long time ago.

Pic attached.

http://www.nndb.com/people/175/000026097/

I seen a black panther today I was walking and I look up and there he was in the zoo.

I don't see any spots on this jaguar...
Black Jaguar

You can't change boats in the middle of the stream, cameron00.

Here's the deal - whether they escaped from a zoo, were "turned loose" by the owner, or whatever - the person seeing the big black cats can't ask the BP or ask around if it belongs or belonged to someone at some point - they see what they see. If they shoot or capture a tame black leopard or jag, then that animal is automatically considered a black panther.

But - this "wager" will never happen. The money will gather dust and just sit there, never drawing interest or anything. This subject in open forum will always be for fun. Forget about the wager.

I agree, Orn. The reason I wrote "wild" was because I don't know for a fact that there aren't currently black panthers in zoos here in Texas.

Even if it's an escaped cat from the circus, it would win the bet. If someone sees one of Sigfried & Roy's white tigers, I'd pay them for that too, even though it doesn't qualify.

There are several in zoos in Texas - 2 in the Tyler Zoo or was at one time. Been awhile since we were there.

Confused. You have said black panthers do not exist. Just to clarify, are you now saying that they do? No one has claimed to see a black mountain lion, just a black panther. So is it possible or not? Even if it escaped from captivity somewhere and is now roaming the country-side, is it possible? Just wondering.

I'm going to go a step further.

If anyone sees a polar bear and can prove it, I'll pay for that too. So if you can produce proof of a free-roaming (i.e. not in zoo) example of the following species IN TEXAS, you win the cashola:

- Albino Tiger
- Black Panther (not jaguarundi)
- Snow Leopard
- Polar Bear
- Leprechaun

I may consider a cash payout for free roaming Panda Bears as well, but I haven't decided for sure. I don't want a ton of people cashing in and bankrupting me.

Confused again. You have also said that there is zero chance of "black panthers". You have said that they do not exist. Not black mountain lions but black panthers. Even if they escaped from captivity into the wild, can there be one or two out there? Refer to my above post to sprigss. Just wanting clarification here from you guys saying it is 100% impossible earlier in discussions.

I know where there are a few jackasses

I have never said they do not exist. I've said they do not exist in Texas. I don't count those inside zoos because the context of the argument was people claiming to see them on their land. And if you actually read my posts, I've also said that the chance of someone seeing them on their land is exactly equal to the chance of them escaping a zoo or something completely unreported (TPWD has verified that there are zero reports of this ever happening). And I consider the likelihood of that close enough to zero that I'm comfortable saying it hasn't happened. Plus, your "one or two" out there...tons of people claim to seen them - read this thread.