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Posts:
1
From:
Tulare, Ca
Registered:
12/13/07
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(31 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 1:39 AM
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I caught the show tonight and was happy to hear that there were other sightings in Okla.
In 1985 I went to High School in Hominy Okla. I lived 13 mi outside of town just off the Arkansas River. One day I went 2 mi to a very secluded spot where a creek flows into the River to do some fishing. I had my chocolate lab with me.
All of a sudden there was a loud crash and a splash on the riverbank directly across from us. I looked up and saw a very large Black Mountian Lion swim out of the river and vanish into the trees. I was pretty spooked and I got the dog and left.
To this day when I tell the story I felt like noone believed me. I have actually touched and fed a full grown Cougar chained to the back on a pickup bed, so I know what they look like.
Also, looking at the location of Mr Atkins place. I lived due north of them on the Ark river about 80-100 mi. No doubts here.
DJ
edit: I said Black Mountian Lion only because thats what I thought it was at the time being from Calif.
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Edited by Stupadaso at 12/13/2007 1:46 AM
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Posts:
1
From:
Lancaster, CA
Registered:
12/13/07
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(32 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 3:18 AM
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I don't see why anyone doubts the existance of large black cats in the U.S. My Grandfather would warn me about them when I would walk into the woods in Louisiana. He had seen many of them. A few years ago I saw my first one on Highway 12 between De Quincy, LA and Starks, LA. As I rounded a corner leaving Starks I saw a Cat crossing the road. From the tip of it's nose to the tip of it's tail it only lacked a few feet of being as long as the width of the lane. Solid black, very shiny coat. Beautiful and exciting sight to behold.
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Edited by MR_MADHATTER at 12/13/2007 3:20 AM
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Posts:
1,188
From:
Connecticut
Registered:
11/5/07
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(33 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 5:54 AM
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I've seen some rather large domestic cats including some large black cats tipping 22 pounds and there is no way I would see one of these cats and mistake it for a "Big Cat"
One very large male around here "Bagera", adept hunter usually eating a blue jay or field rat when he is around , people in the neighborhood (Mainly the teenagers) love to watch this cat hunt, because he is so self sufficient and so big and he eats the entire animal he kills ,it's like watching a small black panther in action,But thats the operative word, "LIKE" watching a small panther, no one has ever mistaken "Bagera" for a cougar,He is just a big black cat who like to hunt for himself.
Most people would know the difference between a large domestic or feral cat and a "Big Cat" like a cougar, jaguar, or leopard. Big difference between a maybe 23 pound animal vs. 100-150 pound animal
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Posts:
1
From:
Tampa Florida
Registered:
12/13/07
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(34 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 6:12 AM
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Somebody mentioned the big cats in Florida in a brief post and that was my exact thought after watching this show. Although they interviewed someone of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa they didn't mention the population of panthers here in Florida. I do realize the following facts which could have caused the exclusion from the show. Yes, the species almost went extinct and Carolina Mountain loins were introduced to repopulate. The numbers are low only around 100 (I don't have exact numbers.) FWC and other sources say there are no black or "melanistic Florida Panthers" in the state. With that said, due to the smaller size of the Florida panther a black colored cross species could account for the size of the sightings. I just believe in full disclosure they should have discussed the Florida panther considering they did briefly discuss mountain lions in general.
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Posts:
1,188
From:
Connecticut
Registered:
11/5/07
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(35 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 6:35 AM
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Did History Channel check into the different killing methods of big cats to help figure out what type of big cat was the most likely culprit for killing the lamas and calfs on those farms?
here are killing methods of the most like big cats
Cougars usually kill larger animals, such as deer, elk, horses and cattle, by leaping on their shoulders or back and biting the neck. Claw marks on the neck, back and shoulders are characteristic of these kills. The prey animal's neck may be broken by bites or by the animal failing from the attack. There may also be bites in the throat of these larger prey. The size of the canine tooth punctures and the type of bone damage help distinguish cougar kills from those made by coyotes, dogs and foxes. An adult cougar's upper canine teeth are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches apart; the lower teeth are approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch closer together. A cougar's teeth are massive compared to those of the average coyote or bobcat.
The leopard is unmatched as a predator: leopards prey on anything from the size of a mouse to a mammal twice their weight - because of this, as well as their secretive, nocturnal habits, they have adapted to a wide range of habitats. Its spotted hide is such a perfect camouflage that it has been copied by armed forces for bush warfare. The camouflage value of the leopard's coat is very apparent when it is lying in dappled shade, as the broken design blends perfectly with the pattern of sunlight and shade. The leopard is a highly effective hunter: they make full use of any cover available, such as trees, bush, long grass, and dappled shade, from which to stalk their prey. They will even ambush prey by dropping on to them from the strategically placed branch of a tree.
They do not engage in long chases: leopards are stalkers and pouncers, and hunt by sight, sound and smell. When stalking, they crouch with their body held close to the ground and the tail horizontal, while they locate the prey primarily using their acute night vision, freezing whenever the prey looks around alertly: then they burst out with a focused fury. Leopards are totally adapted for hunting: they have close-set eyes for binocular vision, so they can accurately judge distances, and they often observe prey from a high vantage point before beginning their painstaking stalk. They then give a relatively short chase (normally less than 30 m) and kill their prey by throttling, or, less frequently, a bite to the back of the head, which severs the spinal column.
Jaguars are one of the most rare of the big cats and very difficult to study in the wild, mostly due to their highly secretive, solitary life style. Most of what we know has been learned through studies on animals in captivity. They are mainly nocturnal hunters, hunting mostly on the ground. However, they will occasionally sit in a tree to ambush their prey. They will sometimes drag their prey up into a tree to protect it from scavengers. They prey upon most anything in their path including monkeys, deer, pigs, sloths, fish, small alligators and even livestock. Unlike most large cats, they do not kill their prey by biting at the neck. Instead they have amazingly powerful jaws that allow them to kill their prey with one bite through the temporal bones of the skull. South American Indians call the jaguar ‘yaguara’, meaning ‘a beast that kills its prey with one bound’. They are excellent swimmers and love the water. On hot days they like to swim or rest in streams. Jaguars and tigers are the only two cats that like to be in water. It has been said that the jaguar is the only big cat that does not roar, but the jaguar has an array of vocalizations including mews, grunts and a deep, repetitive “coughing” roar.
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Posts:
2
From:
West TN
Registered:
12/12/07
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(36 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 6:36 AM
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Now that I have read of so many other sightings, besides my own, I have really lost faith in the diligence and validity of this show. While interesting to watch, in retrospect, it was less than truthful regarding the existance of these creatures. I trust my own vision and the sightings of so many other people before I would trust the conclusions of some overeducated scientists who can not find a body of evidence (even if they were in a graveyard).
Common local knowledge of existing wildlife is more conclusive, in my opinion, than that of some know-it-all. If the History Channel wants to be fair about this, they should offer an appology and update the show. Put in the time and you will find the required evidence. There are not this many sightings without existance. Low light does not make tawny brown look black and, in my case, tawny brown walking side by side with jet black during a noon day sun is unmistakable.
With this dedication to proof, I'm more convinced in the existance of aliens!
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Posts:
1,188
From:
Connecticut
Registered:
11/5/07
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(37 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 6:45 AM
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I don't believe they even addressed the differences in killing methods.Their so called experts aside,
Did history channel not even google basic information on killing methods of Big Cats,
I have to re-watch the show but I think one of the farmers said the bite marks showed his lama was suffocated , throttling is a method typically used by leopards .
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Edited by CTHuntress at 12/13/2007 6:53 AM
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Posts:
2
From:
northwestern oklahoma
Registered:
12/12/07
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(38 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 7:31 AM
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AS I read all your posts CTHuntress reminded me of somemore info here in Okie land. My cousin said there was a farmer in the Goltry area that had calves killed and found them in trees. Mountain lions cover thier kill with leaves or grass,so it fits into the Black Cat method. Yes it is interesting that Oklahoma has not had Lions for years but they finally passed a law that you can shoot them if they pose a danger. Gee when it suits the state it's amazing how the population goes from 0 to oh 25 or 35 head. Two years ago I found 4 deer kills on the ground with in 200 yards out on the farm in the woods an it puts the hairs up on the back of your neck lol.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/13/07
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(39 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 7:55 AM
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My father was in Panama while in the army where he saw numerous big black cats. After he was discharged from the army and came back to Kentucky and resumed his normal life of hunting and fishing with his brothers and nephews. He saw these same cats here in Kentucky. The county we live in borders Mammoth Cave National Park which would provide a heavily forested region to live in and a pretty good food supply.
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Posts:
1
From:
texas
Registered:
12/12/07
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(40 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 8:01 AM
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i am the guy who picked up the bones in the episode.
i havent seen and a black panther and dont believe in the black cat. they interviewed me for about an hour and video taped the area/our ranch for another couple hours. i had no idea what show was specifically about before or after filming.
there were 2 DNA tests done by seperate labs. the test on the show said canine. as far as i know, the other test was inconclusive...couldnt extract DNA cause bones had been handled and contaminated with human dna.
because show said dog/canine, doesnt really make it so, the bones may have been contaminated by coyote saliva.
over all i think the history channel gave a decent portrayal of facts i know, while at the same time allowing the story to be exciting/interesting.
i know there are cougars in the area. but not sure about black panthers.
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Posts:
1,188
From:
Connecticut
Registered:
11/5/07
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(41 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 8:21 AM
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I just watched some big cat videos on www.bigcatrescue.com
the video on leopards was interesting a femal leopard can carry prey three times its weight up into a tree and a male can carry prey up to five times its weight into a tree , its possible someone may have had a black leopard or possibly a breeding pair that either got lose or were let lose, I think they mentioned a female having kittens. near the farms in Oklahoma. One thing that stood out in the video I watched on big cat rescue website was how intelligent the leopards are according to the handler at big cat rescue , you can't turn your back on them for a moment because they are always watching and they are the most difficult big cat to handle , that being the case if someone had one or more they might quickly find them too much too handle and the animals may have been let loose or escaped, the types of big cats may be different state to state or area to area, but the ones or ones killing the livestock and lama sound like leopard.
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Edited by CTHuntress at 12/13/2007 8:22 AM
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Posts:
1
From:
WEST GEORGIA
Registered:
12/13/07
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(42 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 11:29 AM
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Well, I did watch the program last night and I have to agree with most of the post on this sight. We have a horse ranch in Georgia on the Georgia/ALabama state line in a very rural area. I put all of our horses up at night and let me explain why. Not once, but on several occasions a BLACK PANTHER ( Painter as the old folks call them) has been spotted in the pastures, on the roads around us. Let me tell about some of my experiences as well as some of the neighbors. On several occasions, I have witnessed the painter in the back pasture along the creek that leads to a larger creek walking along it.
One morning just about daylight I was at one of the barns feeding the horses before I turned them out for the day. I always take a cup of coffee and step outside to drink while the horses are eating there grain. As I step out of the barn drinking my coffee I always look across the pastures. This morning I did the same and didn't see anything and then I looked about 100 feet below me towards the small creek and looking back at me was a Black Panther with a cub. I always carry a pistol with me just in case I need it. I did fire a few shots into the ground to try to scare them away and it worked.
I ask the local DNR officer about shooting it as I was afraid of attacks on our live stock and guess what!! They are no BLACK PANTHERS in Georgia, BUT 1 HAD BETTER NOT SHOOT IT, THEY ARE PROTECTED. Go figure that one.
My neighbors have seen it in the road and my wife when it has crossed. At first none of us even mentioned it to each other as we all thought the other would think we were nuts until one day the neighbors wife just ask us out right if we have ever seen a Black Panther around here. They had jsut moved here from north Georgia Mountains and had had experinces up there growing up. Everything from coming on to the porches at night when they killed a beef or hog.
Our neighbor just to the north of us on the next farm had all of there rabbits killed that were in cages in a barn one night. The barn had a cemet floor and in the center has a cut out for a stream of water to run through it from a spring. Why is that important in this story? Well, when it rained a lot it would over flow and leave a powder of Georgia red dirt on the floor. You can walk across it a tell where anyone or something walked with a perfect footprint. Well, guess what perfect footprints were left, a big cat paw print, not a cayote, bear, but a big cat as we have looked at many times in the area.
Monster quest, lets do this one over and get the real facts on the big black cats!!
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/12/07
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(43 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 12:24 PM
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Why didn't someone take the dead cat to the right people when it was still fresh?
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Posts:
1,188
From:
Connecticut
Registered:
11/5/07
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(44 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 12:36 PM
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Tindevil's post on Black Cats in W. Virginia he posted that when he was 11 he released 2 black panthers who were being abused from a visiting circus at Nathan Goff Armory in Clarksburg W. Virginia in 1977, that was 20 years ago if they survived , that would explain the sightings there especially if they were a breeding pair.
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Posts:
1
From:
western usa
Registered:
12/13/07
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(45 of 2575)
Dec 13, 2007 12:48 PM
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Posted on Craigslist in Tulsa Oklahoma in General category:
History Channel - Black Panther - Black Cougar
To that fella on History Channel Dec 12, 07 that wants a picture of the big cat that lives close by his ranch killing the calves.
I did not catch the town in Oklahoma where this cat has been seen, so maybe word of mouth will get to the person who was on the show.
Many will state that they know all there is about the cat, testoterone will emerge, macho macho etc etc.
However, if you want a picture of the critter contact me. No brag, just fact, I am probably the best Big Cat Caller living. I have been retired that sort of business for a few years but I can call the Cat in for either a gun or camera. If there is a big cat within 10 miles of where you think it lives, it will come in.
February is the best time of year as the food supply is lowest and with any amount of snow cover it will be easier to see. One last thing, it will be a night time call and there needs to be very little moon. At night they are much more aggressive and I do not have days and days to do this.
My Dad is in his 70's and lives in Oklahoma, it would be a good excuse to go visit him.
Whatever type cat it is, bring your gun or camera as I will have the call. Email through craigs link above.
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