I saw that on the news last night.. I personally don't see what the big deal is. I would much rather have a couple of those around than the huge amounts of coyotes of those damn hogs that are moving this way. I guess my opinion is a bit off from most people in this area because we just moved here earlier this year from wyoming where mountain lions already exist.
I don't mind them either way, they're a natural part of the Eco system. I will say I'd probably have a bit of anxiety should I see one while on stand though. It would take multiple sightings in the same area for me to have any safety concerns, and even then it would be minimal.
I was talking with a game warden of 20+ years in wyoming about mountain lions one day. He said in all his years and several other guys that he worked with that he had never encountered one while out in the woods. He also said that he is sure that he had walked under many lions that where in the trees while out. I guess my point and his point as well is, they will very rarely bother anyone. They would much rather run away and get up a tree.
We found tracks up in Jodaviess county a couple years back, big freakin cat tracks right across one of the access roads. In the same weekend trip we found 3 different deer kills on various parts of the property. I had lights blazing going into my stand the next morning.
I guess I will be bringing my 9mm with me when I bow hunt in southern WI now. Man you just never know. Better safe than sorry.
