My neighbor has sighted a large cat on the edge of our property this morning. It was either a bobcat (most likely) or an eastern cougar (maybe). It screamed and scared her and her dog. She saw a light tan colored cat similar to the color of a deer. Any ideas as to a defense round for this critter? I figured a rifled slug from my 870 would take care of business. My major concern is our son who is 16 months and just the right size for a meal. Neighbors have lost at least 2 cats so far. Mods, please move if not the proper forum.
Best round for cougar/bobcat defense
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Jet22
Member
Years ago I read an article by a guy that had numerous close range encounters with big cats in the jungle and he made a good argument for an open bore 12 gauge with number 1 buckshot. He liked the 3" mag version with 24 pellets. It seems no. 1 buckshot packs perfictly in a 12 gauge bore, 4 per layer. More weight of no. 1 buckshot will fit in the 2 3/4 buckshot load (20 pellets) than larger buckshot in a 3" load! He laid 24 of the 30 cal pellets out and they covered quite a large area!
TallPine
Member
Description sounds like a cougar to me ... 
Did it or did it not have a tail...??????????
I can't quite see how one could confuse between a cougar and bobcat
Did it or did it not have a tail...??????????
I can't quite see how one could confuse between a cougar and bobcat
After talking with her this evening, it did have a tail and fairly large track. From the back of the foot pad to the tip of the toe was ~ 4" by about 5" wide. I think the bobcat confusion is that most people around here are not aware that the eastern cougar is still in these parts. Two years ago, my wife and I were taking the dog for a walk through the neighbors corn field and we spooked two very large tan felines from the scrubby brush at the edge of the field. Of course our neighbors thought we were crazy and just wanted an excuse to shoot something. Guess we weren't crazy after all.
Guess we weren't crazy after all.MCgunner
Member
Not likely to bother you. I'd not worry about carrying anything more than my CCW, .38 or 9mm. Don't take megamagnums to stop a cat.
If it's a bobcat, it really is no big deal. I see 'em occasionally in the wild. Saw one during dove season. Cougars have attacked people. They are quite scarce down here, though.
If it's a bobcat, it really is no big deal. I see 'em occasionally in the wild. Saw one during dove season. Cougars have attacked people. They are quite scarce down here, though.
.38 Special
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Last I heard, cougars are responsible for two human deaths per year, on average.
Lightning strikes kill about 66.
Granted, it's fun to argue about which load is best for what, but I'm having a hard time working up any real concern about being eaten by a cougar.
So what load is best to use against lightning, anyway?
Lightning strikes kill about 66.
Granted, it's fun to argue about which load is best for what, but I'm having a hard time working up any real concern about being eaten by a cougar.
So what load is best to use against lightning, anyway?
A_Swede_17_1911
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If you feel comfortable with the shotgun, that would be more than enough for a cougar. I understand the concern with your young child as well. Also with smaller animals, like smaller dogs are a great target for Cougars as well.
Heywood Case
Member
The description sounds very much like a cougar. Last year I was in Albany and there was a photo on the front page of the local paper taken by someone living a little west of there. Yet the official word was still that there were no cougars in New York. It's true that the risk is very low, there are plenty of them where I live and no recorded attacks. Given that the cougar was seen on the edge of your property, I think it would be most prudent to be armed when possible. When not possible, I'd at least carry pepper spray, hiking poles, anything that would be close at hand in the event of an attack. It may be a highly unlikely event, but if it happens it will be a surprise and there will be little time to react. I recommend taking a little time to read up on cougar behavior as there a few do's and don'ts for avoiding problems.
John
John
thexrayboy
Member
The chances of being attacked by a cougar or other cat native to the US is
miniscule. However, if you are attacked the odds against it become totally
irrelevant. It's the same as most everyone on this site carrying/CCW. The odds that we will really need the sidearm are miniscule. But when the balloon goes up and we really really need the weapon the statistics become worthless. A 22 magnum can take down a cat but it's just like the defensive
discussions regarding caliber. The cat may die but it could sure chew you up
before dying if it chooses to. If it is willing to attack a human it may not run
off at the sound of a gunshot or being struck by one round or a small caliber round. Carry enough gun to do the job. If in doubt step up another caliber size.
miniscule. However, if you are attacked the odds against it become totally
irrelevant. It's the same as most everyone on this site carrying/CCW. The odds that we will really need the sidearm are miniscule. But when the balloon goes up and we really really need the weapon the statistics become worthless. A 22 magnum can take down a cat but it's just like the defensive
discussions regarding caliber. The cat may die but it could sure chew you up
before dying if it chooses to. If it is willing to attack a human it may not run
off at the sound of a gunshot or being struck by one round or a small caliber round. Carry enough gun to do the job. If in doubt step up another caliber size.
burrhead
Member
Bobcat? Attacking? Ya gotta be kidding? Obviously you’ve never seen one. I run across a few every year and they run like scalded apes. About as dangerous as a coyote. Sheesh! :banghead:
Jim March
Member
Bobcats are utterly harmless to humans. I don't think they've ever attacked even young children, unless they're rabid or something. Max weight is about 30lbs so any CCW weapon will do.
Cougars HAVE attacked and killed people for food in California, some doing so despite being only about 80lbs. They can run up to 150lbs or more and should be considered dangerous animals. That's not the same as "shoot on sight" of course, unless it's an urban area and it's been violent or is aggressive.
Most reports I've read say that cougars are not much tougher than humans if any, and can be dealt with using standard CCW weapons and ammo. There's also been a lot of cases of people fighting them off with rocks (big enough for "bashing" upside the cat's head) and any manner of clubs/knives/etc.
They're better "armed" than a dog of similar size but are actually more delicate...a bit Rottweiler or whatever is more likely to shrug off 9mm to the chest than a cougar, but a cougar can tear you up faster and is more likely to hunt you in "stealth mode". Several of the California killings involve people jumped from behind with the back of their neck or skull crushed. Do NOT run from these things, stand your ground and be ready to fight with whatever you've got...they'll usually back down from counter-aggression, yelling, etc.
Cougars HAVE attacked and killed people for food in California, some doing so despite being only about 80lbs. They can run up to 150lbs or more and should be considered dangerous animals. That's not the same as "shoot on sight" of course, unless it's an urban area and it's been violent or is aggressive.
Most reports I've read say that cougars are not much tougher than humans if any, and can be dealt with using standard CCW weapons and ammo. There's also been a lot of cases of people fighting them off with rocks (big enough for "bashing" upside the cat's head) and any manner of clubs/knives/etc.
They're better "armed" than a dog of similar size but are actually more delicate...a bit Rottweiler or whatever is more likely to shrug off 9mm to the chest than a cougar, but a cougar can tear you up faster and is more likely to hunt you in "stealth mode". Several of the California killings involve people jumped from behind with the back of their neck or skull crushed. Do NOT run from these things, stand your ground and be ready to fight with whatever you've got...they'll usually back down from counter-aggression, yelling, etc.
AStone
Member
Couger in CT? Unlikely.
(But one can always hope.)
Bobcat defense? Catnip.
(But one can always hope.)
Bobcat defense? Catnip.
Thanks guys. It sounds like my normal CCW, 1911 commander, will do the trick if I need it.
Burrhead, unfortunately we just had a coyote attack multiple people here in CT.
http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2741533281138883814942725811500546958464
I realize bobcats are less of a threat, but it never hurts to prepared. Cougar sightings in CT are rare, but they have been reported.
http://www.newtownbee.com/Features.asp?s=Features-2006-08-31-11-35-29p1.htm
Now, I know you can't believe everything you read, but I'm still going to be watching very carefully in the evening and early morning.
Thanks again for the info.
Burrhead, unfortunately we just had a coyote attack multiple people here in CT.
http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2741533281138883814942725811500546958464
I realize bobcats are less of a threat, but it never hurts to prepared. Cougar sightings in CT are rare, but they have been reported.
http://www.newtownbee.com/Features.asp?s=Features-2006-08-31-11-35-29p1.htm
Now, I know you can't believe everything you read, but I'm still going to be watching very carefully in the evening and early morning.
Thanks again for the info.
AStone
Member
Suggested alternative statement:
One must always be prepared.
(On right: .38 spl; left: 870 12 ga.)
What caliber for bobcat? Catnip.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Meat scraps from a meal or two, plus some bulk catnip sprinkled around, and you can sometimes persuade Big PooTat to come visit. They also will investigate a rag tied to a bush if you soak it in bacon grease. My resident Cigar Mountain Mama lion does, anyhow, along with her occasional boyfriend, Handsome Stranger.
, Art
They also will investigate a rag tied to a bush if you soak it in bacon grease. My resident Cigar Mountain Mama lion does, anyhow, along with her occasional boyfriend, Handsome Stranger., Art
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Hey, it was part of what worked, one evening just after sundown. We'd set out some steak scraps, a jackrabbit and a handful of catnip. Big old tom, markings almost like a Sealpoint Siamese. Beautiful critter. My buddy missed him three times! Telling the story, sometime later, he got so excited all over again that he missed that lion three more times!
, Art
, Art- Status
