Big Cats in South Walton

I didn't see any big cats when I lived in Pt Washington for a couple of years, but there is a pretty important kitty that hangs around the WaterColor area

I didn't see any big cats when I lived in Pt Washington for a couple of years, but there is a pretty important kitty that hangs around the WaterColor area

...you beat me!

...you beat me!

I was born and raised in northwest Florida. Hunted this area all my life. And I had to google that cat name you first mentioned. I guess I am just living in an isolated world. Now I did see a Jakovasaurs one time.

bobcats...but they aren't that big...

They had to kill a 150 lb. cougar in Chicago this morning. They saw it darting about the northshore village of Wilmette yesterday. Then it was spotted a bit further south in Chicago today. The cops shot it. They didn't have any tranquilizer darts on them.

They keep showing the pics on TV and it looks so beautiful and docile...

... laying on the pavement. So sad.

.

I would think that the prey that a big cat would need on a regular basis just doesn't exist down here. I would highly doubt the report without proof of more than one. One can be explained as a "pet got too big" release.

http://www.anomalist.com/features/jag.html

Miss Kitty, did you bring some friends from home?

That article does mention them being spotted in FL & then mentions the South in general.

Here's another one: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/jaguarundi.htm

talk to H.C. His dogs treed a big cat (told by WalCo Sheriff's Deputies that it was a jaguarundi) in his yard, a couple of years ago.

I've seen/heard a panther before. But not so much anymore, now that the coyotes (not you, Wile) are here.

I've seen/heard a panther before. But not so much anymore, now that the coyotes (not you, Wile) are here.

I heard a panther several times when I first moved to Pt.Washington (20yrs.ago) Very scary ....and was told by someone that they had actually seen one near Four Mile. But the jaquarundi was in this area for an extended period last year (spotted by myself and the hubby about 6 times in a 4 month time-frame.

No big cats. . .but I have seen a skunkape! That would make a good story!

I could see a Jaguarundi in the area as there are many similarities to the panther and the critters in this area would match their needs. The links provided indicate them as introduced in the 40's or as a feral popolation.
I spend a good amount of time in the woods when I can. I have heard bobcat and mountain lions before. I will keep my ears out for this guy. Either way, that sound makes the hair stand up on your neck. A bobcat sounds like someone smacked a small baby out in the woods and you hear them scream. Soooo creepy.

Big cats/Cougars were present in this area a few decades ago; but officially (I did talk to a FL FWS guy about this) they are no longer living in this area. He stated it is very likely that one may wander thru from time to time, however.

That being said, friends in the environmental/survey business report seeing cougar tracks in remoter areas north of the bay fairy frequently.

I?m betting it is a good probability that while their numbers are down, there still are cougars here and that one many even wander into SoWal from time to time.

Wonder how my baby bobcat visitor is doing. We haven't seen it since that first time.

I was born and raised in northwest Florida. Hunted this area all my life. And I had to google that cat name you first mentioned. I guess I am just living in an isolated world. Now I did see a Jakovasaurs one time.

Was it putting up a sign on the beach?

Wonder how my baby bobcat visitor is doing. We haven't seen it since that first time.

I thought of you & the bobcat when I read this thread.

I thought of you & the bobcat when I read this thread.

I think it is a Republican bobcat----

I put a handpainted Obama sign (painted by Rapunzel) in the front yard, and we haven't seen the bobcat since.

I think it is a Republican bobcat----

I put a handpainted Obama sign (painted by Rapunzel) in the front yard, and we haven't seen the bobcat since.

Or it was scared away by all the CHANGEs that may be happening in its neighborhood.

talk to H.C. His dogs treed a big cat (told by WalCo Sheriff's Deputies that it was a jaguarundi) in his yard, a couple of years ago.

I'm sorry, but who is H.C.? I would be interested in talking to him.

I cannot tell you more than that. "H.C." is how I know him. You can catch him fishing on the beach in Grayton about every day.

Are you writing a story on this? If so, what publication?

I am a freelance writer. However, this is just a research project I am working on in my free time -- no specific publication. If I do choose to write a story about big cats in NW Florida, I have no guarantee that it will get published and am not sure that I will seek publication. I have always been interested in the Florida panther, though, and am fascinated by the idea that they could exist in Northwest Florida.

Big cats/Cougars were present in this area a few decades ago; but officially (I did talk to a FL FWS guy about this) they are no longer living in this area. He stated it is very likely that one may wander thru from time to time, however.

That's interesting. I have talked to several FWS representatives and have not been able to get much more out of them than the Service's official stance. Although, I was told that they receive several reports a week of cougars in the area. Also, I was told that someone in the Jackson Guard office had witnessed what they identified as a panther. The Eglin natural resources division receives less reports, several a year. One of the FWS biologists for this district told me that it was more likely that what people are seeing is jaguarundi.

However, I am interested in what you said about having friends in the environmental/survey business who have seen tracks. This is the kind of hard evidence that the FWS has consistently been unable to secure. The sandy nature of our soil complicates matters. It is hard to get a good impression and, hence, a solid cast.

Have you checked with the peeps at Nokuse?

To be clear, when I mentioned that I have heard big cats, that was back in MN.
I have only been in FL for two years and I can say that I have seen tracks in the woods that could be some type of cat track. Guess I will need to start packing my digital when I go. I used to do that back in MN too. I have pics of wolf tracks larger than my whole hand, bears, and moose. If/when I find anything, I will post them.