Guestbook

I am a rural mail carrier and have seen several cougar/panthers in this area. One near our state park. This tawny colored cat was trying to pull a large white tail deer across the road. This was about 5 years ago. Just last night my neighbor called and while seated on her back patio an extremely large wildcat ran through her yard and we're not talking about a large feral housecat! Several neighbors have seen this cat.
L Romain
Moss Bluff , La USA

"I think its possible for big cats to live and hide in Alabama. That video looks like the real deal. One thing I did notice is the rack on the deer. The 1st shot of the deer shows the rack almost touches at the tips and another shot of the deer shows a bit wider tip to tip spread. I guess its possible there were 2 bucks on the field but the video never shows both. Whats up with that? jim selma, al. USA - Monday, February 18, 2008 at 21:16:33 (EST)" Jim, It is two different deer. The first one was already in the field when the video began. The second came into the field after the cat arrived. It looks to me like he is trying to put distance between himself and the cat. Bucks are not like does; they will try to get away without bringing attention to themselves. If the second deer was a doe she would have been running and making all kinds of noise.
Mike M.
Hueytown, AL USA

"That video looks retarded. Anyone who honestly can't tell that's a house cat is either totally nuts or just blinded by their pointless desire to believe in something mystical or see something unique...I can see how black panthers would fit nicely into that type of delusion. Matt Trailer Selma , AL USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 13:01:17 (EDT)" Matt, You're not to good at range estimation and coordinating the size of an abject to the estimated range, are you? Obviously you aren't. The cat in the picture is a minimum of 100 yards from the first deer shown and it is still as large as a housecat. Based on a distance of 100 yards the cat in the picture weighs in the neighborhood of 100 pounds and is a minimun of 6 feet long, including the tail. It seems to me you're the one who doesn't have the ability to "think outside the box."
Mike M.
Hueytown, AL USA

My grandparents lived between Eucutta and Shubuta in Mississippi. One day while we were feeding the pigs there was a huge black cat up in a cedar tree near us. My grandfather shot it with a 20 gauge, and the cat jumped out of the tree about 10 yards in front of us. This BLACK CAT was at least 6 feet long with tail and looked to weigh about 130 - 150 pounds. It took off like it was not even hurt. I have heard that Black Panthers don't exist, or is it that they do not exist in Mississippi; but wheter it is a misnomer or not my country relatives called them Black Panthers. I have seen bobcats before. This was no Bobcat! If any one is familiar with the Petal Panthers mascot, it is a black panther, long, sleek and muscular. Similar to a cheetah, but black and about 30 to 50 pounds of muscle added. Since that time , I was 12, I have seen tracks and HEARD the blood curdling screeching roar of a female Black Panther protecting its kittens from wild dogs or coyotes. Here in Petal I once lived near the Leaf River. I could hear them and see their track near and on the sand bars. So, whatever anyone wants to call them, they are BLACK and big. I will continue to call them Black Panthers. I am glad that this video was captured, even though it was at a distance, I could tell that it looked exactly like what I saw myself.
Steve Lindsey
Petal, MS USA

Read on MSNBC news today. NEOSHO, Mo. - Missouri state biologists said Sunday that a big, black cat killed by a sheriff's deputy has been identified as a leopard. James Dixon of the Missouri Department of Conservation said the animal was identified by the St. Louis Zoo. Newton County Sheriff's Corporal Donn Hall shot the animal when it charged him on May 19. A woman had reported the cat was scratching at the door of her home near Neosho.
Ronnie
Lafayette, La USA

Today - 8:45 am. Driving North out of Ruleville on Hwy49W north an animal in a cotton field caught my eye on the West side of he highway. Stopping and turning around and (to the disgust of my wife) I got out of the car and not 40 yds. from me were 2 catlike creatures. At first the ears and profile gave it away, but when one stood up to move to the woods my jaw hit the highway. I have been hoping to see something like this my whole life - I thought it would take a lifetime - but there it was. The biggest damn thing I have ever seen, and not just one, but two. Laying in the cotton fields, letting birds come down on them and playing - from that fact I guess they were young but nonetheless a day I will never forget.
Bradley
Oxford, MS USA

I have hunted and trapped in Alabama for 40 years and I can tell you that is no house cat. Also, in 1987 a friend and I were hunting quail and we came out of the woods into a large pasture with a pond in the middle of it. We both saw a large black cat about 3 feet long with a 3 foot tail. It ran for cover but we were able to watch if for about 30 seconds. I have talked with several respected outdoorsmen who have also seen the black cats over the years. This animal exists , whether it is a black panther or not I do not know. It may be another species or a subspecies of another big cat. Most hunters will not shoot one because of the fine if caught. A road kill is coming and then the game dept, will have the "proof" they want.
louis
troy, al USA

On June 8, 2008, the Jennings Daily News (local news paper) reported 2 horses were found dead in a pasture on Highway 26 south of Jennings. The horses were over 3 years old and weighed approximately 800 pounds each. The horses had severe wounds to their necks and mutilation to their faces. One of the horses had a broken neck. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was notified. LDWF Lt Bobby Buatt responded to the call and investigated. Buatt gave a press release and stated Louisiana does have bears and panthers. On June 12, 2008, Jennings Daily News reported that large cat tracks were found in the same pasture where the two horses were killed. The newspaper contained a photo of one of the horses with wounds and a photo of an apparent cat track.
Confused
Jennings, La USA

BTW-"On-Time" feeders has a game cam pic of a mountain lion taking down a doe around a feeder. Someone should contact them and have them post it. I saw it in their office in Ruston.
John Collins
Lake Charles, LA USA

I have been a Surveyor my whole life. I have spent my life wandering around the woods of Louisiana,Mississippi and Texas. I have personally seen 3 mountain lions. One black panther outside of Jasper Texas. One mountain lion North of Oil City, Louisiana (North of Shreveport). One in Vernon Parish around the South end of Toledo Bend Lake. The Vernon parish sighting involved several survey crews. We found his tracks and scat everywhere. Every man in the crew carried a loaded pistol. Finally, early one morning we spotted him on an old logging road. Recently, on my deer lease in South Rapides Parish, I spotted those same familiar tracks. Sure makes me wonder each morning when I head out to my stand.
Johnathan Collins
Lake Charles, LA USA

I believe that they are real and exist. This is the third video ive seen and there is no way something that big is a domestic cat.
jared Cochran
Bolivar , oh USA

Maybe two years ago a Bibb Co news paper (I think Centerville AL) had a clear picture taken at night by a game camera put up by land owner who had seen a couger on his place. Several weeks later a State park ranger from TannerHill State Park between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham reported seening a couger running deer in the park. From time to time there are reported siteings by hunters. If you look up Alabama Mountian lions on internet there are several pictures of lions killed, one in Tuscaloosa co. in the 50's. NE Alabama has many siteings. Baldwin Co had a den with cubs in it found by a Dept of Conservation Officer last year or so. Don't know whats in the woods or rivers.
joe davis
Gallion , AL USA

You can tell that cat is big because it crosses that gap that appears to be a standard 12 foot wide four wheeler trail in two strides The person who was talking about Tigers for tomorrow, I have worked their and they have "scratchings" and even a fresh kill brought outside the perimeter fence when their female cougars are in heat. Northeast Alabama definately has a wild population of cougars
Tim Chandler
Geraldine, AL USA

I spotted a Black Cat from my hotel room in Pelham Hampton. It was around 6pm and was roaming around the open grass area bordering the bush behind the hotel. I wonder what kind of cat is that.
mic dis
Birmingham, AL USA

One was supposedly seen at Stennis Space Center this past weekend. It was captured on video but the quality was not very good. Game people think it was a large Bobcat. The person who saw it swears it was a Cougar. I saw the video, you could never make out a tail but the legs were long and it appeared to be too big for a Bobcat. Videos can be deceptive though.
George
Stennis Space Center, MS USA

The black cat is much to big to be a house cat. The black cat is well beyond the deer but is still the size of a house cat when you take direct measurements off of the photo. In a photo things get smaller the further away they are so without question the black cat is way too large to be a house cat.
Mike Guerin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

That video looks retarded. Anyone who honestly can't tell that's a house cat is either totally nuts or just blinded by their pointless desire to believe in something mystical or see something unique...I can see how black panthers would fit nicely into that type of delusion.
Matt Trailer
Selma , AL USA

Me and my dad hunt an area in North Centrtal Texas StoneWall Couny just miles away from the legendary 6666 Ranch. We knew there were cougers in the area and one day one ran right infront of our car about 20 yards away and it looked alot darker than the normal pics of cougars
Tyler
Lubbock , tx USA

glad I found this sight...no one believed me when I said I saw a big cat I was standing in my front yard calling for my cat when a noise across the road caught my attention I saw a big big cat run the tree line towards the gulley it was too big to be a bobcat and it didn't have bobcat coloring...and..the body moved too smoothly to be a coyote and I thought..I'm crazy..there's no cougars in Louisiana but maybe I am wrong...just maybe there are cougars
J Lalonde
Eunice, LA USA

I am a contract surveyor and our crew stumbled onto a cougar south of Lexington MS this afternoon. One crew member was alone and about 2500 feet in front of us. He was cutting brush when he saw the cougar about 100 feet in front of him. The cougar charged at half speed and chased him for a few hundred yards before stopping. Our assumption is he was eating and tried to scare off a competitor. We left the area for a couple hours then went back. We found tracks, droppings, and a spot that appeared to have had a large prey drug through the brush. Anyone with knowledge of why the cougar charged and then stopped would be appreciated. Also I have photos of a 240 pound cougar that was killed in my home state of Kentucky three weeks ago. It was struck by a car and is the biggest cat I have ever seen.
Tom Downs
Itta Bena, MS USA

Hey man I like your website. I was searching the internet for wild panthers in the eastern part of the US. I have recently found pictures on my deer trail cam in Stokes County NC and it appears to be either a panther or a HUGE black house cat, although the pictures I have arent very discribtive. My buddies and I think its a panther I dont know what else it could be. Right now my buddy has the pictures on his computer but I'll send them to you whenever I get them.
Blake Canter
NC USA

Shannon
"SO... a video is taken of an illegally-released a pet black jaguar in Alabama and your point is?"

Point is a video of a large black cat was taken in Al,

"There is no BLACK "big cat" native to North America"

And your point is???

"They do not and never have denied that occasionally there will be a big cat in the woods, but it is ALWAYS proven to be an illegally-released "pet"."

That is another falicy, majority of cougars are turning out to be wild not released pets.
Mike Guerin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

SO... a video is taken of an illegally-released a pet black jaguar in Alabama... and your point is? Look, this hoopla is hilarious. (1) There is no BLACK "big cat" native to North America, but even if it was a rare melanistic Florida Panther-Mountain Lion-Cougar-Painter(whatever)... (2) there is NOT a wild and breeding population of these -- or any other large cat -- in Alabama! And to imply that the AL DCNR is hiding something, avoiding the issue, ignoring it, etc. is simply ridiculous. Their biologists and Conservation Enforcement Officers (aka Game Wardens) would LOVE to find proof of a breeding population. They do not and never have denied that occasionally there will be a big cat in the woods, but it is ALWAYS proven to be an illegally-released "pet". Just ask TIGERS FOR TOMORROW, up in North AL... they are a big cat rescue operation (I heard that they are working with legislators who are considering drafting a bill to outlaw private ownership of big cats in Alabama -- hope they are successful). And the AL DCNR guys think it's pretty funny that whenever "proof" is presented it is always folks who say "My brother's neighbor's friend saw a panther..." etc. etc. etc. How come these so-called "eyewitnesses" never come forward personally? Respectfully, STA
Shannon Andress
Montgomery, AL USA

Agents with the Alabama Dept. of Game and Fish seem to agree that people are seeing some large, dark cat. Perhaps it is a panther. A set of plaster casts from the tracks is the best evidence as proof. Photos can and have been taken and claimed to be from somewhere in Alabama. If it is proven that panthers do in fact reside in Alabama, certain federal grant money will possibly be forthcoming; but, the state may be mandated to match the federal fund. Alabama has enough financial problems. This may be why little effort is made to ascertain the animals existance! Just my thoughts
Jed
Brewton, Al USA

other than the LA trail camera pictures which were definitely of a cougar, the other visual "evidence" is merely images of outsized and probably feral housecats. There is no doubt that cougars do exist in the eastern US, a Philadelphia news program having shown a video of one in Claymont Delaware a few years back, but a lot of the "reports" are from misidentification, viivid imagination, or just pure fantasy. the one "reporter" even describes huge claw marks in the cats tracks, and since the only cat that leaves claw marks in it's tracks is the cheetah, her "cougar tracks" were probably left by a Rottweiler. There are still a lot of open forests in the east and to assume that a secretive animal such as the cougar does not exist there is a more fanciful idea than believing that it does.
Bob Gular
Norristown, PA USA

In September of 2002 I saw a mountain lion run across a portion of England Air Force Base ( now Alexandria Air Park) in Alexandria La. The cat was running from the business offices of a computer firm toward the old base housing. I'm from Southern Ca. and was to pay respects to my deceased father. Believe me it was Cougar! Later that week while up at my sister's house in Bagdad La. my nephew walked into the kitchen and said that a big dog was outside. My nephew was only 4 years old and the look in his eyes prompted me to walk outside. My sisters dogs were on the porch and as I walked off the porch they ran in front of me toward some bushes near the driveway. I could not see the cat but it growled very loud and was attempting to fight the dogs from the brush. I was only 15 feet from the brush and was fearful for my own life. I did not want to turn my back on the brush and yelled for my brother-in-law to bring out a shotgun. Unfortunately he never heard me. After a few minutes the cat ran off back toward the woods. I was able to see a flash of color but not the actual body of the cat. I believe the cat was going to take the child but the dogs kept it at bay and all three retreated to the safety of the porch. Although I have no proof of the above, I believe that it was not a cougar but another species of large cat.
Cliff
Co USA

I saw a large black cat in N Otsego Co in the Pigeon River area on Sturgeon River Rd. It was croutched smelling the area of deer tracks at a well used deer trail crossing the road. When it heard my truck approach, it rose and turned, showing me how long its body and tail were. Its run down the deer trail seemed to be very long strides.
Tom Lamb
Grand Ledge, Mi USA

I have pictures of Panther tracks taken behind my house close to Kemper County
Dan McClure
Meridian , MS USA

i'dhate to be that deer, talk about a bad day
boobsmcquie
Athens, Ontario Canada

I have pictures of cougar tracks taken this past weekend in OUR Backyard. Taken after my wife and both neighbors saw him.
Barry Bissell
Shoccoe, Ms USA

That clip is just an edited down version of what they saw. Two different deer.
Mike G.
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

I think its possible for big cats to live and hide in Alabama. That video looks like the real deal. One thing I did notice is the rack on the deer. The 1st shot of the deer shows the rack almost touches at the tips and another shot of the deer shows a bit wider tip to tip spread. I guess its possible there were 2 bucks on the field but the video never shows both. Whats up with that?
jim
selma, al. USA

while heading fishing early last fathers day morning,me and my son witnessed a cougar attempting to cross hwy 21 just north of trinity marines ship yard,it was larger than a doberman smaller than a great dane, i was thinking a toddler wouldnt be safe with that around, this is a fairly populated area for an animal like that.
ram
bedico, la USA

I have hunted in Alabama for 30 years and seen everything but a big cat or bear. On the other hand I do believe there here. I have heard several first hand stories from north Alabama to south Alabama. That video looks pretty convincing to me. Maybe sombody will kill 1 one day and then the skeptics can't deny it.
Barry
McCalla, AL USA

My friends and I hunt and fish in Colbert County, Northwest corner of Alabama. My boss and his son saw a black panther sunbathing on a ledge of a bluff overlooking the Tenn. River while they were fishing from the Cane Creek area. This was about 5 or 6 years ago. Another worker saw one in the Freedom Hills management area 10 years ago.
Kevin
Tuscumbia, AL USA

The black cat is entirely too big to be a house cat. In the video the black cat is further away than the deer. If you were to take a cutout of the cat and place it next to the deer it would be as large are larger than any house cat and that is without even taking into account the fact that the cat is further away and would actually be bigger in the video had it been as close as the deer.
Mike G.
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

I'm a newcomer to the south and have been pretty fascinated by the whole black panther thing. The trail cam pics of the coug are pretty cool, but I'm very disappointed in the video. If everyone is so sure these exist, but the scientific community is in complete denial that such animal exists, then why doesn't someone post some of these pics and video they talk about in these comments. If the Black Panther is real, then please post some good pictures or video. There is enough high quality trail cams in the woods these days that someone has to have some pics to back up these stories. Trust me, I want to believe this animal is real, but all these stories with no pics or excuses of why they won't release the pics or videos is only pushing me and the rest of the skeptics further from believing all of you. The video on this site sure looks like a big housecat to me, and all these stories are starting to sound like a culmination of passed on tall tales. I have no doubt that cougars and mountain lions exist around here. But I have not seen anything that can back up anybody's story of the "black panther." Please I want to believe you guys, just post some of these trail cam pics everyone is talking about. This video is useless, why would they waste their time video taping the deer and never giving the camera a chance to focus on the cat, if it was something so unusual.
Jeff
Laurel, MS USA

A florida panther is a cougar. It is recognized as a distinct subspecies of cougar native to the entire southeastern USA. Can you email the pictures to me at omegaman66@cox.net
Mike G.
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

I have 4 great photos on a trail cam of what we concluded was a florida panther. But looks like a cougar to me.
roy
Picayune , MS USA

finally, some good evidense. Me & my dad were riding down a dirt road on our land in Quitman County,GA. On the right side of the road was a pasture and the other side was a thicket.a huge big black panther ran out of the thicket, stopped, and hissed at our truck. After that the panther took off into the pasture.
Max
Eufaula, AL USA

I have always been told that there ws no cougars in alabama so i didnt worry about them that much, but Dec.5 i was on my property hunting and my dog came out there and was running through the woods behind me and then i heard him go to yelping and barking and he coming running by me like he was on fire so i climbed down out of my stand and walked over to the hill looking over the hollar that he was spooked in and seen the but end of a cougar goin into the woods. Needless to say i high-tailed it back to the house and havent went back to that spot again.
michael
calera, AL USA

In early December in 2007 I was hunting deer in Bibb County Alabama and I was fortunate enough to see a black panther cross and green field at about 200 yards away. At first I wasnt sure what it was but after I put the binoculars on it there was no denying that it was a large black cat with a long tail
Carter Weeks
Auburn, AL USA

In 1990 I saw a tan southern cougar/fla panther cross the road less than 100 yards from me in Green Co., MS. In 1996 I saw another tan cat cross a grass patch at 60 yards while deer hunting in east central MS. In 2006 I saw the "black" panther. It was black, or it was the deepest charcoal gray I've ever seen on an animal. It had a deep bluish sheen. It was slick and shiny. Absolutely beautiful. It crossed a pipeline at 150 yards while deer hunting in east central MS. I watched it for approx. 10-15 seconds through a 10X scope, which provides a very clear view. The experts can say what they wish, but what I've seen is no bobcat. All these cats had long tails and were substanially larger than a bobcat. I've shot many bobcats in my time and I didn't shoot these because I've heard they are protected. I didn't have a camera with me, but I now do and it's only a matter of time til I get a photo. The cat was back last year with 4 to 5 inch tracks on a sand road, but left when activity picked up in the woods early in deer season.
Cuz
MS USA

For years I had hears reports of of panthers in the regional area but never payed much mind to it. Until yesterday.. I was looking out my window gazing away while doing the dishes and seen what I thought was my dog in our trash pile burning pit but realized that my son had the dog in his room. I went outside on the porch with my spot light to investigate. I had figured it was another dog being that it was the size of the family dog solid black in color. It was not yet dark outside just enough light to see that some type of animal was messing around. But as I shined the light on him it caught my eye that this was no dog. It was a cat. But no domestic cat could ever be that big, no-way.. It turned and looked directly at me, I was standing about 50 to 75 meters from it. This animal looked as if it had no care in the world I was there. It slowly walked awaw from the burn pit and headed towards the path to the back pasture and sat down to take a 2nd look at me. I turned to see the family dog had came out on the portch and spotted him. The panther got up and noticed the activity the dog was showing and cared less as it slowly got up from its resting spot and took a trot down the path to the far back pasture. I hope it returns tonight cause I will be ready with my camera... and...my shotgun.. I am convinced that they are in Texas now.
Stormy
Naples, TX USA

While squirrel hunting south of Lake Miss. about 15 years ago we found a big doe that had 4 holes in her neck and the rear end had been tore some and was partially covered with leaves. Next day was almost eaten & covered high with leaves.I bileive this was a cougar kill. I DON'T LIVE in Miss.
D.R. Davis
USA

a cougar seen running across the road on Camp Road in West Monroe Louisiana last month (Dec 2007) another cougar seen in Eros Louisiana in someones yard panther living on someones wooded property out in Luna Louisiana
anonymous
LA USA

I have heard several "Wildlife Experts" say there isn't such a thing as panthers..or they dont live in our part of the country. but last year on Easter while running to get a bag of ice my bro. in law and i saw something black cross the road. we stopped got out and watched as a panther,solid black, and her cub ,chocolate in color, climb up a steep rocky enbankment.We watched them for probably a solid 45 seconds...So say what you want, but i know they exist
joseph whitman
Porum, OK USA

That was a great, great video! Finally real, real proof.
Gerald Voigt
New York, NY USA

There is a long oral history of panthers in south Mississippi. Experts disagree of course, but experts are often wrong. My father has seen several while sitting quietly on his porch watching a very isolated area along a local branch. I am very interested in recording for our heritage these stories. I want the ones passed down and actual eye witness accounts. I am tring to get photos for this project. Email me with info at sixlees2dogs@bellsouth.net
Harrison Lee
Picayune, Ms USA

Panthers are definetely in this state,as i have personally had an encounter in the early morning hours with one coming very near our deer camp a few years back.This was on Bodcau WMA,and several fellow campers heard it that night as well.There is also one near The TX,LA state line that has been heard several nights.Needless to say,all hunters that were in that camp the night it approached were nervous about going on stand that morning.No tracks or sign of the animal were found,and it did not return the following night.Unfortunately,LDWF seem to blow these cats existence here in in La off as if were all crazy.Those of us who have heard or seen these animals know otherwise.
Chris
Shreveport, La USA

In about 1999 my dad and I were hunting about 10 miles south of newton, ms. We were in a shooting house and what we thought a big bob cat came out. I was too young to know what it was but it was a panther. I dont really remember but my dad said it had a really long tail and his fist fit inside the palm part of the cat print. I shot and missed thank god. My dad didnt realize that there had been sightings around the camp that we were guests at.
patton
newton, ms USA

In approximately 1965 when I was 18, my older brother and I watched what looked to us to be a black panther crossing our pasture field on two different occasions near Jackson, Michigan. It was about 250 yards away in a well-grazed pasture field, going from one set of woods to another. The jet black cat had a tail about as long as its body, and we judged the total length to be approximately 6 feet long. Last month I saw the special on Cats on the History Channel and thought I should send in this sighting. I have been an avid hunter for 46 years and harvested a mountain lion in Montana. I know wildlife and this looked like a black panther!
Sam Hoyt
Howell, MI USA

On a recent deer hunting trip just east of St. Francisville on Hwy 61, a friend and myself came across what seems to be a fresh big cat kill site. I've always heard there were big cats near Iota and never really beklieved it, but seeing this carcuss kind of makes me wonder if the ol timers were correct in their stories.
wayne
Iota, LA USA

As a native Michigander I am really astonished the Michigan sightings of large black cats along with the regular cougar sightings are not getting attention by State Wildlife Officials? Their comments seem to belittle anyone who reports such sightings. I really believe that we have a new species of wild big cat roaming around the country! The video footage of these animals is unquestionable. One night I heard a Florida Panther (cougar) scream once at about 3:30 A.M. just outside my bedroom window. There has also been an actual Panther sighting in South Fort Myers in my neghborhood a month or so earlier by a jogger. Keep the reports coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray Abraham
Fort Myers, FL USA

Didn't mean to imply that all reports before 1990 were false, just that there has been a change where many more of the reports are now being presented with solid proof to back them up.
Mike Guerin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

On the opening page "Proof of Cougars Return to Historical Range", its noted despite official extermination of cougars in the east, sightings never stopped & continue for over 100 years. You failed to mention, NOT only have events continued, but many included proof of their presence or documentation. Ghosts & other animals do NOT leave tracks or pictures of a cougar/mountain lion. Such material did NOT just begin in 1990s. That proof began back in the 1940s when Bruce S. Wright found & confirmed cougar tracks in New England & eastern Canada. Also playing a major role in the 40s was Herbert R. Sass, an early Mutual radio pioneer, who asked his listeners to send him infomation on any big cats they had seen in the east. The request ended in thousands of letters being sent to in from residents across the east. In 1964, we became involved with Cougars as a young Baltimore radio news reporter, which has led to a lifelong "love" affair with pumas & BLACK panthers, all flesh & blood mammals. Both South & Central America has BLACK pumas, leopards & jaguars. Why is it so impossible for North America NOT to have them?? A BLACK Jaguar was recently documented & filmed in northern Mexico, less that 50 miles from Texas. We'd like to hear from hunters who saw a cougar or black panther in the early to mid-1900s in any eastern state. Cougars & black panther confirmations began LONG be4 1990. They began a century ago & continue to this day. Send your reports to epuma@hardynet.com & we thank you in advance.
John A. Lutz
Maysville, WV USA

Since airing of the History Channel's Monster Quest series we have been swamped with over 400 e-mails & phone calls, from residents, hunters, foresters & wildlife officers in 12 eastern & midwest states. 97% agree that "unknown large black cats resembling cougar or puma, are prowling the woods & forests of the east, despite the negativity of mainstream American scientists. For 1st time in history, Monster Quest has gotten the attention of top-notch Minnesota & Oregon scientists, who are now pursuing the sasquatch mystery, since flesh & blood samples show this creature is a live being & not figments of inmagination. Can the black panther issue be far behind?? If anyone has information on black panthers in western Virginia, eastern West Virginia & western Maryland, send an e-mail to epuma@hardynet.com, as we need to discuss those reports. Have a good day...
John A. Lutz
Maysville, WV USA

Just got word that a woman right near where I live video taped two cougars in a field near the Comite River. The video is supposedly in the hands of the LDWF right now. I am going to try to get my hands on it if I can. Are at least find out if they were indeed cougars and not dogs are something. Cougars don't usually run in pairs. But it could be a couple of siblings or something like that. Might be Jan 2008 before I can find out much more as my SOURCE will be off of work till January.
Mike Guerin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

Growing up, I saw a black panther near J.P. Coleman State Park in Iuka, MS around 1994. A friend was with me and saw it as well. He doesn't talk about it much and I've yet to find very many people who will believe me. My family saw a black bear in a pecan tree in a person's front yard near Rosedale, MS after the droughts around 2001. I have pictures of that along with two bears on the levee in Gunnison, MS. It seems they were crossing over from Arkansas when the Mississippi River dropped so low.
Adam K
Birmingham, AL USA

I can agree with big black cats in the woods of Alabama. I hunt Hollins managment area and have for the last 20yrs have seen big black cats on more than one occasion.. the first time was the worst and it screwed up my hunting trip.. My dad had told me he had been seeing the black cats for several years. sometimes two within minutes of each other.. being young and doubtful i didnt agree nor disagree with him. on one of our trips to Hollins we were going to the top of Rebecca mountain, to hunt and I stopped in a boulder field that had a few overhangs and some good trees to put my stand. as i was waiting on daylight to fully emerge I kept feeling like something was watching me. I would turn and bust my flashlight in the direction of where i thought something was and never could see anything.. this went on till about 6am. I decided to go ahead and get me a cup of coffee and eat a biscuit and all of a sudden i got that feeling again and the hair was standing up on the back of my head. I was at the time standing on a ledge and it was daylight, my gun was lying against the rocks so i could get the coffee. I wheeled around and about 20 yards behind me was a big black cat.. I yelled and I think i scared him as much as he scared me.. I was freakin petrified.. almost crapped my pants .. he ran by me about 20yds away and jumped of the small ledge and was gone.. ruined my whole weekened.. couldnt be still and constantly looking over my shoulder.. That was years ago, I am 50 now and accept that they are there..(I always get in my tree stand now) Me and My father(74) still see these cats on occasion.. I do know what a big cat looks like and respect what they can possibly do to someone. This year i have put up cameras and take my video with me. I am going in Jan for an extended hunt up there for a few days so I hope I can get a pic to post.. I also own a serval cat which is from africa and stand 20" at the shoulder. the cats we see are about 30-36" long.. block head with smooth blunt end tail..tail looks almost as long as the body.. I was a doubter until I saw my first one..
Bart Smith
Mobile, Al USA

The 'black cougar' in the second video clip was actually probably a jagarundi. A jagarundi sighting in the east would actually be more impressive than a cougar sighting. And if it wasn't a jagarundi, it was a cougar with melanism. But I don't think so, because the cat in the clip was walking like a jagarundi and had a long tail like one as well. We have a few jagarundis in Texas, and they may be extending their range much like the cougar is.
Rachel
Houston, TX USA

Cougars are also in the State of Maine.Instead of going to my tree stand ,I decide to watch this ridge from below looking up.Within 10 minutes-- this mountain lion is following the ridge line and never looked down to see me-maybe 80 yards or so.My safety came right off.Hunted Maine all my life and that was a first..this took place in 98..
Henry R Gagne
Port Clyde, Me USA

they deer are good but the camera footage suckd
josh
jasper, USA

I have family that live in Winfield, AL, a few months back they had found some unusual paw prints in the mud on the Auburn University Agricultural Research land where they work, we went there to see how big they were but, we didn't have anything to measure it with besides the hoof print of the bulls they have, this was no ordinary paw print! if there are anyone else in Jasper Alabama who has saw unusaul prints or extremely large cats around your land send me a email at: ltaylor05@peoplepc.com thanks and nice website!!! Justin Taylor.
Justin Taylor
Jasper, AL USA

A few years back we had a deer lease in the pineywoods of E. Texas several people on that six hundred acre lease saw a large black cat. None were ever taken and only one photo was ever captured.
Big E
Houston, tx USA

I am currently a Mississippi State Student but grew up and still hunt in Southwestern Mississppi. When I was leaving the stand empty handed after a deer hunt in Claiborne county I saw the biggest "bobcat" I have ever seen cross the trail in front of me. It had no spots and a long tail and everyone thought I was crazy. We even came across a half eaten deer carcass that was covered under some brush. My dad thought that it had probably drowned in the flash flood we had on the property and maybe thats what happened. All I know is that I saw a very large cat and I find it very exciting that there is photographic evidence for their presence in Louisiana.
Paul Watson
Starkville, MS USA

it's a damn good thing that my uncle isnt delusional
jake brigance
kellyville , ok USA

living in oklahoma, used to, the sighting of a cougar was nearly unheard of, i've grown up hunting, and i've always wanted to see one in the wild, thanks to conservation, people like myself might get that chance.
jake brigance
kellyville, ok USA

In 42 years of big cat studies, over 15,000 reports have been logged. 27% are of BLACK Panther type cats of 75 pounds or more. We have had dozens of pictures & videos sent in for identification by professional trackers & independent scientists, NO doubt exists that some evidence submitted are of native PUMA or BLACK Cougar. Cluster reports over extended time periods are excellent methods to detemine if specific regions have resident American Lions. Tell us about your sightings... Take a look at the tri-state map section on our website at www.easternpumaresearch.com to view regions of confirmed mountain lions since the early 1900s.
John A. Lutz, epuma@hardynet.com
Maysville, WV USA

Since 1965, I have conducted hundreds of field studies and investigations on cougar & black panther(aka puma, jaguar, leopard) sightings across the mid-Atlantic States. Though evidence is elusive, at a few locations, we did manage to find tracks, unusual looking hair and/or scat. While DNA has NOT honestly provided data, many tracks have, in being identified by certified professional trackers as those of a cougar or mountain lion. If tracks are being confirmed as a cougar or mtn lion, yet witnesses including trained observers, are reporting & in some cases photgraphing 'COAL BLACK" felines, the animal must exist as shown in some pictures. They are NOT 100 pound housecats, as some illiogical scientists want the public to believe. A few BLACK PUMAS were photographed or killed in the 1900s in Central & South America. Since BLACK LEOPARDS & JAGUARS do survive in South & Central America, why do scientists make it so difficult to believe, they do NOT exist in North America? Pumas are the MOST adaptable large predator on earth. There is NO valid reason why WILD Black cougars could NOT travel from South American mountains into the United States?? To see a few confirmed black panthers visit our website at: www.easternpumaresearch.com then watch the History Channel on Wednesday night December 12th at 10PM for a documenatry on BLACK pumas or mountain lions in the eastern U.S.. Based on the negativity of mainstream scientists, I do surmise they will play down if NOT fully deny the presence of a large BLACK Feline predator in North America today, but stranger things have occurred in nature.
John A. Lutz
Maysville, WV USA

Sure glad other people are seeing black panthers.I saw one @ work in St.Mary Parish near the Ach.Basin about ten years ago. No one belived me back then.As for black bears we have so many in St. Mary Parish I get more bear on my trail cams then deer.
Millard Simoneaux
Garden City, La. USA

I lived in Northern Vermont for 5 years. I heard this huge cat at night for 2 years before I ever saw it. I was fortunate enough to see one 50 feet in front of my house before dawn. The huge black cat was bigger than any dog. I watched it as it stalked slowly across my front yard...It walked just like a panther, high front shoulders. It was completely black. It had tufts of hair on it's ears. The tail on this thing was longer than it's body and very thick. I opened my front door and actually yelled out to this huge cat...It didn't even look at me or acknowledge that I was there. It just kept stalking across the front yard and then into the dense forrest. I used to find it's paw prints in the mud and the snow quite often. They were huge prints, much bigger than a dog, and the claws were huge and left deep prints. Somewhere I do have pictures of the paw prints in the snow. The locals there didn't believe what I saw, they lived there whole life there and never saw one. Well, one day a couple locals were working on our land and they came running very fast back to the house...they finally saw this huge black panther looking cat. They no longer were in disbelief. These animals are really out there. I guess some people have to see one to believe. I feel very fortunate to have seen this one and I will never forget it. After I saw it, I made sure everytime I was outside alone all 3 of my dogs came outside with me.
Stacy
Allentown, PA USA

Would someone please stop and get some physical evidence of one of these sightings. I find it hard to believe that of all of these sightings, no physical evidence has been brought fourth to substantiate these claims to wildlife officials. A footprint or some hair cant be that hard to come by. Anyway, I have worked part time with my father who is a forester here in Mississippi since I was 15. He has been a forester in Ms since 1980. Neither of us has ever seen any cougars, and we have been to some remote places. One other thing, there is no such a thing as a "black panther" look it up.
David Green
Hattiesburg, Ms USA

i have one at my hunting club in south carolina and he lives in the box stand that i sit in to deer hunt.
chris
hanahan, sc USA

Why did yall put this video on here?
Uknown
Portsulphur, USA

While hunting public land in ColdSprings Texas , just about 25 miles from my home in 2005, I saw what i guess was a panther, i pulled up in front of a gate to hunt at about 5am on a cold november morning , I got out of my truck and turned on my head light , while i was walking around the other side to get out my rifle and jumpsuit i noticed a pair of eyes at the edge of the woods laying in some grass, i started to walk closer when it stood up looking at me, it was about 15-17 inches tall and about 31 or so inches long, had big paws and its tail was almost as long as he was, solid black, with a large head, it looked at me for a few seconds and slowly turned into the woods and walked away, it was a very magnificent looking animal and i feel fortunate to have come within 15 feet of such an animal, it did make the hair on my neck stand up though. this happened in the Sam Houston National forest in case anyone is interested. Richard Stroud New Caney Texas
Richard Stroud
New Caney , tx USA

While deer hunting in 1973 i saw a big black cat in the Big Bend area of parish. Also saw one 1n 1985 in the old Saline Wild life area. About a month ago i saw one in southern Natchitoches parish.
Dennis Deville
Jena, LA LaSalle

No one believes me when i tell them my story, but i dont care. i know exactly what i saw. Last summer (2006), in august at about 2 am i was driving home on Hwy 151 going out towards Hico. I saw reflection of eyes in the middle of the road. i thought it was deer so i slowed down. It was acting strange. the eyes were moving back and forth as if it was confused where to go. as i got closer i realized it was not a deer. it was shorter and much too long. from head to tip of its tail, it was almost as long as the road was wide. then it began to walk towards the car. it got about 10 ft in front of the car, then it entered the opposite lane and began walking alongside the ditch. i knew it was a cougar, but i didnt believe what i was seeing. it was golden brown with a white belly that was sunken it like it was striving. the extra skin from the belly hung down low much like a female dog's when it has puppies. the tail was stretched straight out and was really long and thick. the stride was wide and its paws was huge. i watched it for about a minute or two and then it disappeared into the ditch. that night and the next day i looked for it and the tracks with my camera to get proof but the ground was too dry for it to have left any tracks!!
Heather Elizabeth Humble
Dubach, la USA

I live in Slidell, LA but work on the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, MS. Of course - Stennis has a huge wildlife area that is essentially part it's "buffer zone". Leaving work two days ago (16 October) ... a panther dashed across the road in front of my truck. It was a large animal - about twice as big as a Bobcat or larger. Very short straight haired and coat was more redish brown than it was buff. It was definitely not a Bobcat - this was a panther / cougar / mountain lion. Looked very healthy and moved quite gracefully!
Mark Marshall
Slidell, LA USA

My grandparents were sitting on there porch when rabits came running out of there cut over then they see it wat they came to be a cougar. I work across the road from that cut over and my co-worker and boss have been hearing it growl and wat ever noises they make. Just yesterday a neighbor hood girl spotted the big cat. Wat should i do to get rid of it should i try to trap it and call the game wardens i dont want this thing around my neices and nephews. Here is my email for comments legros62@yahoo.com thank you
Derick LeGros
Basile , LA USA

Quite possibly it was a cougar I saw in my backyard the other day as well. I have a wolf-dog and the "big cat" was about 30 feet away from him when I saw it. Only got to see it for about 5 seconds but it wasn't any housecat! Been seeing tracks for the last year but this is the first time I've gotten to see the cat itself.
Vickie
Ethel, MS USA

All info will remain confidential just as with the La. Cougar pics if you like. But if anyone has any photos or video please send it in so that others can see it and know they aren't alone.
MIke Guerin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

My husband couldn't believe his eyes, but spotted it while 4 wheeler riding, between Rayne and Eunice. His buddies laughed too, but now we are talking to people who have seen the big cat (or cats) near other small towns. What a chance encounter; only wish I had been there! Oh, and hubby is very much the unexcitable, slow to believe sort'a guy - so he saw something BIG!
T.O.
Eunice La, La USA

Yes, that is definately one. We have them in Braxton too-some of them have black heads with the spots even. Their tails look like lions. The Wildlife people have been arguing with me for years. A friend has one on tape getting a deer, but he is afraid they'll turn the hunting land into a preserve so he won't release it. Thanks for the proof. Hey has anyone seen the bear around MS too?
Penny
Braxton, MS USA

Jason send me an email!!! omegaman66@cox.net
Mike Guerin
Greenwell Springs, La USA

The other day i was bow hunting and when i was getting up in my stand i saw something out the corner of my eye. i looked again and there was a golden cougar running through the woods. I told all my friends and only one or two believed me and now i can show them proff that there are cougars in the south.
Dillon
Port Allen, LA USA

its all about being in the right place at the right time,and im having a blast with my new wildlife camera,wished i had 10 of um,great photos on the panther and bear,dusting off bow gettin ready for 0ct 1 here in richland parish
t lord
rayville, la. USA

Im glad thay warent hunting at the time they would eat u alive and i realy want one of yall to take me hunting but i aint got the money well see yall
dylan mitchell
olivebranch, illinois USA

I have a picture of a cougar taken on my trail camera.
Jason
Plaucheville, La USA

i ran into a big cat in union parish about 0745. it was moving at a good pace but came within 20 yards of my deer stand. also seen tracks and scat in jackson parish, he's out there but slick. i do alot of hunting at beouf river, i believe big foot could be out there!!!!!!
dwayne
laplace, la USA

I realy thought it was a yote at fisrt,but when I saw the tail in the video.look like a big cat to me.I have seen some big cats here in Texas,and it looks like a cat from the video
L moore
porter, tx USA

i have seen a large black cat 80 to 150 pounds while hunting in perry co. al.
chris garris
mobile, al USA

I saw a Large Black cat in the 65-80lb range during May of 2007. This was on a rancher friends property. I was stopped in the road watching a doe cross in front of me. After she crossed (about 15 yards from me) she headed towards an old phosphate pit. Just as she got to the edge of the enbankment the Cat popped up from behind a blown over oak tree and tore after the doe. I couldn't believe what I had seen and asked her renter who lives in the woods there. He said he was glad that I had seen it because he had seen it on 4 different occasions but couldn't believe his eyes. We are setting up some game cameras to try and get some photos.
Clint
Inverness, Fl USA

Please do send in the picture!!!!
Admin
Greenwell Springs, LA USA

I live way out in the middle of the woods and I have consistently seen a panther in my yard in the last six months. I usually see him once a week he stays just outside of the clear part of my yard and under some trees. Before seeing him I have seen several around the house. I have also been told stories of one person the saw one on a regular basis and told game wardens that he saw one and they just laughed at him. He then shot and killed the one he had been seeing and dropped it in the middle of a large intersection with a note stapled on it saying that "I bet they want laugh at me now!" I also have pictures of one from one of my trail camera's if I can find them I will send to this sight if they want it.
steve
natchitoches, la USA

Panther Notes: