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Cougar makes return?
Published Wednesday, October 8, 2008
NATCHEZ — After laying low for months, one notorious Natchezian has once again made his, or her, presence known.
Local resident Don Estes said he spotted what he believes to be a cougar at approximately 8:20 a.m. Estes was riding his bike between the first and second milepost on the Natchez Trace.
“It shocked me,” Estes said. “She was just crossing the road at a lope.”
Video
Natchez resident Don Estes describes his early morning sighting of a cougar on the Natchez Trace. Watch »
Estes said he was traveling southbound on the Trace when the animal crossed the road approximately 100 yards in front of him then walked up the embankment, paused to look at him, and walked off into the woods.
Estes said he believes the animal to be female because it was smaller than he thought a male cougar would be.
Since Estes was riding on a downhill slope, he was forced to ride past the spot were the animal had just walked in to the woods.
Estes said while he could not see the animal, he felt sure he was being watched as he rode past.
“I took my chances and rode past her,” he said. “At which point I felt like (I was) breakfast.”
After biking on the Trace for the past year, Estes said this was his most exciting wildlife sighting yet.
Estes said he has seen a few doe with their fawns in the same spot where the cougar was spotted — and he’s not sure it’s just a coincidence.
“I hope they’re all right,” he said of the deer.
Estes’ sighting is the second, including one in June, when two Natchez women reported seeing a cougar on Briel Avenue.
Estes said after talking to one of the witnesses in the June incident on Tuesday he believes he saw the same cat.
Estes said the color and description of the cat match and he estimated the animal to weigh approximately 100 pounds.
Kurt Foote, Natchez Trace Parkway’s natural resource management specialist, said if what Estes saw really was a cougar, it’s a rare sighting.
But Foote said he would not be surprised if there were a very small number of cougars in the area.
“It’s exciting,” Foote said.
Foote also said the area where Estes had his sighting is filled with dense brush and ravines would be an ideal habitat for such an animal.
“They like to be where they can’t be seen,” he said.
While Foote said there’s no way to substantiate Estes’ claim, Estes said he’s sure of what he saw.
“It was a cougar,” he said.
And even after the sighting, Estes said he has no plans to change his morning routine, in fact he said he feels fortunate to have spotted such an elusive creature.
“I’ll be on the lookout for it,” he said.
Comments
Posted by Riffian1964 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don we are sure glad you didn't become cougar lunch!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Aww...I let my big tomcat out for a walk in the park and what happens?...just kidding, if Don says it happened it happened...that's good enough for me.
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don, study the traits of the cougar and make sure they don't plan an attack from repeated behavior of their prey. Like your everyday bike ride? He may be waiting for you when you least expect it. Good Luck!!
Posted by presby (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Saw a 3 headed lizard oncet at Emerald Mound.
Posted by crackbaby (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 3:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep your cameras handy. A picture of the local cougar would be awesome. Maybe someday, someone will have their camera at just the right moment.
A new riding helmet; 40 dollars.
A new mountain bike; 400 dollars.
A picture of the Natchez cougar; PRICELESS!
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make sure you take your cameras downtown. There are plenty of cougars hanging around Dimples late at night on the weekends.
Posted by WalterLynn (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO @ Elvisss
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Cougar better not go down Dummass Street or it will get shot to death by a bunch of thugs.....lol...(read article on front page about teens on Dummass Street) ..
LOL
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a picture of the cougar. He's standing there with Bigfoot and Amelia Airheart.
Also LMAO @ Elvisss
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Use caution Mr. Estes! Enjoy your morning, but just be very careful. :)
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
After seeing many "when animals attack" shows on TV, it would be wise if he is going to conintue that route, to take some protection with him. Cougars are not the only threat. There is a possibility he can also run upon bears.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pussycat, pussycat
I love you
Yess, I dooo
You, and your pussycat EYES! mrow, mrow
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would be more worried about being run over by a pilgrim on the trace.
It's easy to get pictures of the cougars at Dimples. They are fast, but they stop and pose for the camera. Strange.
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
great story.
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone know what day he spotted it?
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brake out the hounds, corner it, dart it, tag it, then release it, huh?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That was really neat . I saw a mountain lion once in Montana and that was a memorable sight to behold . That's great ,Don .
Posted by lsutiger21 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i didn't even think there were cougers out there...guess we better watch out next time we head out to emerald mound
and i love the comments on the cougars at dimples...funny!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure it's funny to most of you , but those of us near the trace with livestock aren't finding it so funny. Remember deer season is coming up so hunters better watch out and don't fight the cougar over a dead deer.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember everyone cougars are "Ambush Predators". They sit in the bushes or woods and wait for for there prey. They usually kill one large animal about every 2 weeks or so. Cover it with brush and leaves, eat off of it for awhile. If I were a bike rider I would for sure be on the lookout between mile marker 1 and 2. It is probably living off the deer that live around that area. KEWL!! :)
Posted by Razzmatazz (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Teach, how about lions and tigers, don't leave them out, Oh My.
Posted by bcamb4 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Estes is a very nice man & his wife was a great teacher! I believe what he says! Three months ago I was traveling west on Hwy 84 going towards Natchez and I saw one cross in front of me. It looked as though it might have been hurt. It was limping. It sat on the side of the road for a few seconds before it went up a hill. It was light brown and looked like it probably weighed about 75lbs (comparing size to our dog). That is the 2nd time I have seen one. The first time was November of last year.
Posted by oldshool (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL RED,Its not even funny.You just don't come down Dumas Street and you'll be alright.If the Cougar does decide he wanna come on Dumas street,we will let him go on you,LOL.And by the way I am the Cougar,a drunk 1 so how u like that
Posted by 2feathers (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hopefully no one will bother it.............but watch, every big game( hunter ) around will try to kill it......................................
Posted by banafan (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw a Natchez cougar on my last visit to your city. She was 40, wearing a low cut blouse and short skirt with three inch heels. I hear they prey on the male species, especially those in there 20’s. We can still dart, tag and release her (not sure where to put the tag?). Love your city!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't it illegal to shoot one in Ms. because they are considered endangered? Of course some people will shoot anything anyway.
Posted by oldshool (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can try but they are like cats,they have 9 lives.Ya'll be careful at night cause they say the cougar will appear out of no where on you.What do ya'll think about the election next month,Obama gone win cause thats My President.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all are crazy! LOL. I bet Mr. Estes is reading this, and I don't think he like what he is reading.
Posted by formerNat (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kurt Foote - Natchez Trace Parkway's natural resource management specialist: "While Foote said there's no way to substantiate Estes claim..." A 100 pound cougar roaming around the Trace and climbing up an embankment would leave sizable paw prints, from which an expert could determine weight, height and sex. In my youth, I saw a black panther (the animal, not the civil rights activist) below IP.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We saw pawprints of a huge cat back in the late 70's across the highway from the natchez mall in the bayou when I was a kid. I was told then that they were either cougar or large...very large bobcat tracks. My dad walked down to look at them and he told us not to play in that area anymore because he had not seen any cat prints that big since he was a kid in the Delta. He said they looked like huge bobcat prints, but that it would have been the biggest one he had ever seen.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey I believe it
When I was a kid I saw a black cougar cross John R Junkin, coming out of the wooded area of ElmsCourt crossing over and headed towards what is now Glenburney Nursing Home. It looked to be over 100 lbs, like a ghost, and moving fast, in broad daylight in the afternoon. I'll never forget that 'cause I was a kid and I played in those woods around Glenwood and Glenburney and Elmscourt too. All these little wooded areas tie together from the Natchez Trace through town and south to the river. Deer often are seen in town and in Duncan Park.
Posted by bayougranny (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to play in that bayou. It was in the 60's. Glad I never saw any big cat prints.
Don I know you and if you say you saw a cougar you did. Don't ride alone on the Natchez Trace call in a buddy to ride along.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That cat's got TOO much of a range to roam and patrol around; unless her den is close by, Don probably won't see it again. As for looking over his shoulder, there is WAY too much easier prey for it to take down.
Posted by justinhughes14 (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't know of cougar in these parts, possibly a lynx or bobcat, cougar and mountain loin are the same animal seen primarily west of the Mississippi, although if you continue to travel in the area of the sighting, hope you are prepared to defend yourself,good luck and God bless.
Posted by foghornleghorn (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say, I say, Son, it was probably just a big ole black house cat.
Posted by AustinW (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I happen to hunt on some private land exactly where Mr. Estes spotted this cougar. Two years ago a friend and i saw a large, buckskin colored feline, and no one seemed to believe us.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just wonder why people find the cougar story so hard to believe. On some of the colder mornings this winter around daybreak take a look out behind the funeral home on the hill right down from the Natchez mall. Deer will be grazing eating and playing right out there in plain view of everyone driving by. There are plenty of animals for this cougar to eat. Just last night I saw a possum walking down Main Street in Natchez. No not George Jones,,A real live stanky little trash eating possum...As we move and build into these animals habitat where are they suppose to go?? Why most of them adapt and stay right where they roam. Just become a little more elusive. I believe Mr. Estes. I would be very careful in and around that area of the trace. She could be free roaming or could have young close by. I sure don't want to find out. I for one would like to see a Park Ranger take Mr. Estes out to the spot where he saw the animal and put up a few game trail cameras. See if they can get a picture of this Feline. REMEMBER I SAID PARK RANGER!!!! Ole Jim Bob shouldn't go out and put up game trackers on the Trace....YOU WILL GET LOCKED UP!!!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"A real live stanky little trash eating possum..."
LOL justthefactsman!!! Most hilarious comment!
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)
that would be amazing to see,we have a panther that stays across a creek on our 6ac,never had no problem with it,but you know it's there watching you,we also had a bear come through there but can't seem to get a good picture yet of him or her. oh yea when the two women said they had seen a cougar a few mths back ,didn't people say they were crazy and that they didn't see what they said they saw. funny how people will believe one person,but not two people.just a thought.
Posted by itsnthehole (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know these cougars of which many of you speak. Sadly, I must admit that I was once taken down and devoured by a dimples cougar (my mind has probably blocked more memories). Since then, I've never been the same!
Posted by RICKYSMITH (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HEY DONALD, GOOD THING YOU LOST ALL THAT WEIGHT! THAT COUGAR WANTS A REAL MEAL, NOT SOME SKINNY OLD MAN...LOL.
Posted by mudzillaefi (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here Kitty kitty
Posted by escapee (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's possible. It might have been running from all the poor stray dogs everyone keeps dumping off out there.
Posted by itsnthehole (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
L.D.W.F. VERIFIES TWO COUGAR SIGHTINGS
http://www.wlf.state.la.us/news/?id=1130...
Posted by nlhoman (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw a black cougar last deer season while sitting on stand, a cople days later another guy saw the same thing on the same stand. that was in Rodney a little south of Port Gibson.
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