RE: [RC] riding with mountain lions in California - Kassandra DiMaggio
We too have mountain lions up here in
northern California.
I was told not to be to concerned with them attacking my foals…..Just
learned my vet had his foal eaten by a mountain lion!!! He is near Red Bluff,
CA. So, they do eat foals despite a full grown mare’s best efforts.
Something to keep in mind.
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Carol Suggs Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005
12:07 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] riding with mountain
lions in California
I am originally from East San Jose Foothills and am
very familiar with the Mt Hamilton Area and Grant Ranch. I certainly
don't doubt that Linda's client has seen and had trouble with mountain lions in
that area. Deer, wild pig and coyotes are abundant there. The lots
are in various sizes up there, most broken up from older large ranches.
It is hilly, shrubby and dense with trees most of the way up to Mt
Hamilton. The views are spectacular and most likely what draws folks to
live up there...but with the housing prices in the bay area who can afford to
live up there right now!
We have 515 acres in Mariposa (near Yosemite) and
have seen lions (among other wildlife) on several occassions since we acquired
the property in 1999. Our area is also rich with deer (lions main
diet), and I am sure that our calves are also tempting for them, however we
have not had one calf lost to a mountain lion (that we know of). I think
that the momma cows are a little more than most lions want to deal with when
taking down prey. Deer don't seem to ban together and fight it out!
It is my understanding that Mountain Lions are protected and
it is a crime to hunt them or kill them in our state. Unless you can
prove that the lion has been or made a direct threat to you or your livestock
it is pretty tough to get a trapper out. I am pretty sure the lion
has seen us more often than we have seen him. They are actually very shy
animals and will normally avoid confrontation.
We need to remember that we people moved into their
area. We are the intruders here, not them. We need to take
precautions to deal with wildlife in a way that is safe for us and safe for the
wildlife. This is not to say that if we have a cougar problem on the
ranch that I am not going to call a trapper or if I see an animal attacking me
or our livestock that I am not going to shoot it.
Because we know we have cougar and an occassional bear on
our place, I always walk or ride with the dogs with me. But if you
can't do that, be mindful as to where you ride. Know your horse. If
your horse is on alert there is probably a good reason why. Sometimes the
lions and tigers and bears oh my are real!
