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Owner thinks horse attacked by mountain lion

 
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May 08, 2008 - 04:05:44 CDT
By RICHARD HINTON
Bismarck Tribune
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is investigating what may be a mountain lion attack on a pregnant mare just east of Bismarck.

The mare was attacked Tuesday night in a pasture near the McDowell Dam Recreation Area, the mare's owner, Kyle Berquist, said Wednesday afternoon.

District game warden Jeff Violett was sent to the site of the attack Wednesday afternoon, Randy Kreil, wildlife division chief, said Wednesday.

"He's looking for tracks or physical confirmation of a lion," Kreil said.

"Without question, I know darn well this was not a wire injury but an attack, and the vet agreed," Berquist said. "No other animal can attack a horse the size of this one and rip it to pieces."

Kreil reminded people that if they "see a lion in position to threaten them or their property, they are within their rights to take the animal out."

"It was an interesting night," said Berquist. "A lot of Iodine and a lot of blood."

Berquist went out at about 9:30 Tuesday night to bring in the horses from the pasture.

"They were just in a panic and running in circles. Igot them back to the corral and got them to the light, and next Igot to see the mare with blood from the top of her back on down," Berquist said.

The mare's prognosis is good, he added.

"They have to leave the big wounds open because of bacteria. If they seal them, they are encouraging the bacteria to attack," Berquist said.

Berquist said he now carries a gun with him when he goes to the barn.

"It's a simple fact. They are capture animals that lie in wait. If they go after that big of a horse, a human being is no problem at all," he said. The mare is 16 hands, he said, "the biggest horse I own." A hand measurement is usually considered 4 inches.

Berquist and his wife also have two young children.

"Next time, it may be a child," he said.

There have been other reports of lion sightings in the area, said Berquist, who thought those sightings had been reported.

"One couple had photographs of footprints, and Ifound two deer carcasses in my pasture this morning. Right out in my pasture, two freshly eaten carcasses," Berquist said.

"I'm not aware of those reports," Kreil said of any earlier lion sightings.

NDGFD also has not confirmed that the wounds on the mare came from a mountain lion, Kreil said.

"We're working to try to evaluate the situation," he said.

To that end, NDGFD has asked USDA Wildlife Services to examine the injured horse.

"They have seen a number of lion attacks on livestock, and they can check out the animal to see if (the injuries)can be attributed to a lion," Kreil said.

Ryan Powers, who handles disease issues, examined the mare but was unable to draw a conclusion.

"It would be premature to say anything. Jeremy Duckwitz will look at the mare in the morning," he said.

Duckwitz is a wildlife specialist who deals in injured livestock among other issues.

"I would compare (mountain lions) to alligators in Florida. They rip and shred. I didn't believe what those animals are capable of until now. It's scary," Berquist said.

(Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@bismarcktribune.com.)
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Owner thinks horse attacked by mountain lion
Comments

seriously people wrote on Dec 31, 1969 6:00 PM:

" KK where do you see anything about a 22 year old and a camera? You seem to be an expert so tell us all what kind of evidence you have that it was a mountain lion attack. A horse had some cuts on it, th lion report. The only thing I saw out of this was a list of factual reasons why two agencies do not think it was a mountain lion attack. Do people think G&F gains a profit or something by showing reasons why this was not a lion attack? However, I urge posters to continue telling stories about how there are all kinds of mountain lions roaming and it's a government conspiracy. I find it quite entertaining. I'll be enjoying the outdoors while everyone else is paranoid and locks themselves inside and drinks the koolaid. "

to Mike R. wrote on May 20, 2008 6:00 PM:

" Mike, no disrespect, but......if you had jumped onto the back of an animal,and went for a rodeo, wouldn't you have had a close-up look at the actual animal?????? Sorry, but I myself, even being a >gasp< naive woman would KNOW IF I WAS ON TOP OF A FLIPPIN' BEAR OR A COUGAR! Good Lord.....

Also, the only one using the words "cover-up",was you, my dear. All I did was post the story and say what a coincidence.....

BTW, I know you are in law enf.--are you sheriff (hope not!!), PD, NDGF, HP, etc....or retired? I never have found out exactly. We may know each other... "

Mike R wrote on May 20, 2008 3:44 PM:

" The article just says that they have to rule out a bear attack. It didn't say they don't believe the report. They deny nothing. They just want to be 100 percent sure to rule out any other "suspects". It is called doing a good job of investigating. It has nothing to do with a cover-up. Some people really look hard for the little things to nit-pick on around here. "

Our GameFish Guys...in NM wrote on May 20, 2008 2:48 PM:

" Look! Our Game & Fish dept. is now working in New Mexico!! How exciting!

Game & Fish tells the same old lines, it doesn't matter WHAT state they are in. How sad.
Wouldn't you think that the child and father would have a pretty good idea the difference between a bear & a mountain lion?
Here's the story:

Animal Attacks Boy, 5, in New Mexico Mountains
Monday , May 19, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
A large animal attacked a 5-year-old boy hiking with his family, seriously injuring him with puncture wounds to the head, neck & back, authorities said.
Jose Salazar Jr. was hiking near Sandia Peak east of Albuquerque & had run ahead of his parents on Saturday evening when they heard a scream, Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said.

The boy's parents, Jose & Charlotte Salazar, saw the animal emerge from the brush & start dragging their son, White said. The father tried to jump on the animal's back, and it let go of the boy & fled.

The state Game & Fish Department said in a news release Monday that the child & father identified the animal as a mountain lion from pictures shown to them.

Game & Fish spokesman Ross Morgan, however, said dogs trained to track mountain lions picked up no scent in the area Saturday night or Sunday. The dogs were brought in again Monday. "We're not going to rule out a small bear at this point," Morgan said.

The boy was hospitalized in serious condition Saturday, White said. On Monday the Game & Fish Department said the child was in satisfactory condition. A hospital spokeswoman said Monday the family declined to make the boy's condition public.

GEE...sound familiar??! USDA's non-smelling dogs couldn't find a scent either....and don't u think if Dad was ON THE BACK OF THE ANIMAL, he would be able to tell WHAT animal it was??!!

"

Mike R wrote on May 18, 2008 10:34 PM:

" Don: I am not arguing that there aren't cats in the area. I know they are here. I know they have attacked horses and cattle. I have not examined the horse in question here, so I can't say for sure what the case is on this one. I am just pointing out that the odds of them attacking a person are still really really slim. The "problem" as Mindy puts it is that people are taking the attacks on livestock and turning it into some sort of Man Eater frenzy - which it is not. "

Don wrote on May 16, 2008 12:07 AM:

" No offense to you at all, Mike. Have read your posts foe quite a lomg time and see that you do have a brain on your shoulders. I was merely throwing that comment out there to the few 'stay-at-home-bloggers' that seem to have plenty of time to write and criticize every story that comes out. These folks are the ones that think this case is way off base. I myself, do not. Have been in the horse business for 22 yrs, with some horses that cost as much as a new car. Heck yeah, I'm glad when other horse folks know and spread the word, because the 'experts' sure as heck don't. I'll take this owners side long before the boys in brown. I had a cat on my property by Mary College. They wouldn't even take time out of their day to investigate, instead, telling me 'the area is unlikely for cats, so it had to be something else." 4 days later I shot a male cat while wandering up behind my corrals towards my horses. One shot was all it took. I cut the neck open to look for any implanted chip, like some hunters have said GF were doing, but none found. Huh...no cat likely, Mr. Kreil? You still feeding that garbage over the phone to possible sighters? Here's a thought--work WITH the public, rather than downplay and belittle everyone. You folks need to earn your respect again, because it is long gone. "

Mike R wrote on May 15, 2008 11:13 PM:

" And for everyone who is so sure that this is a conspiracy theory created by our know nothing G&F department. The USDA investigater came to the exact same conclusions - that they could not say it was a mountain lion. Now what does the USDA have to gain by being part of the cover-up? Or do you think that our G&F department has so much power that they forced the USDA to go along with thier story? Why then did a seperate and totally unrelated agency find the exact same conclusion? Law: The reason people are getting bent out of shape is because they really want to believe in a government conspiracy theory. They want to be the only ones who know the truth - kind of like on the X files. They like it when the public is in a panic. It helps them tell thier story I guess. "

MIke R wrote on May 15, 2008 11:08 PM:

" Enough: You know what I think is 10 times worse than someone who posts a lot on one topic or someone who posts on every topic (even though I post on only 1 or 2 percent - but guys like you just love to claim that I post on every single one of them)? The worst are the guys who never post anything that adds to a single topic. They never have any input what-so-ever except to come on here and make a couple of petty personal attacks (which I thought were not supposed to be allowed but that's another matter) and then disappear thinking they have done a good thing. Those are the people that I hate. "

Mike R wrote on May 15, 2008 10:37 PM:

" Don: If you are refferring to me, I would say that I spend twice as much time outdoors with my kids than 90% of the people posting here. It isn't that I am not afraid because I don't go outside. I am not afraid because I KNOW for a fact how remote the chances of getting attacked are. I do not live in fear of things knowing that they have a 99.99999% chance of not happening. Enough: Glad to see Mindy's alter-ego came out to play. And made such a mature post at that. "

Tom wrote on May 15, 2008 8:30 PM:

" The two dead deer that were half eaten had not been there for 2 months either.. The whole point is that the Game and fish think we are idiots and think that everybody just believes what they say.. for 99 dollars you can have your dna tested to see if you are the father of a baby.. but the game and fish cant swab the cuts on the horse to see if it was a mt lion or not... Do a "real" test and tell us the results.. simple.. could avoid all of this. educate people on what to do incase of a mt lion attack instead of leaving it up to a few people that post online. end of story.. "

Law wrote on May 15, 2008 4:44 PM:

" All I am saying Tom is that the G&F and the USDA did not have conclusive evidence that a lion caused the damage. As for the bacteria, I would think there would be plenty of other ways that bacteria could get in a wound other than a cat claw. Pastures are not exactly clean and pristine. I for one think it could have been a cat, maybe there was a lion and that's what spooked the horses into the junipers also, causing the tree cuts and scratches. Hard to tell, but to get all bent out of shape because an agency (two) could not find plausible evidence is just dumb. Most likely if it was a cat it has moved on or will shortly as there is no suitable habitat around. "

Tom wrote on May 15, 2008 3:40 PM:

" to LAW::: but there were tracks.. I saw them.. they were not from dogs or from any other barnyard animal... the horses had about wrecked them by the time the game and fish got there... this happend one night and the game and fish had not been there at 3pm the next day when I was.. the vet made it out right away and determined that they were from an animal of some sort because of the bacteria in the wound.. (mt lions have bacteria under the claws) a cut from a tree would not get infected that fast.. of couse you dont hear about this from the G and F... do you?? ask the vet that examinded the mare what he thinks??? "

Enough wrote on May 15, 2008 1:24 PM:

" Who cares if you make typo errors. I was thinking you were perfect and did not make any errors. But I guess I was proved wrong. Enough already about having to prove you wrong. After all you have all this law experience!!!! "

Rider wrote on May 15, 2008 12:23 PM:

" A horse got attacked by a mountain lion - or - it didn't and was hurt some other way. That's unfortunate for the horse and for the owner. Is there something else that this is all about? I'm not seeing it but knock yourselves out if you're having fun! "

Don wrote on May 15, 2008 11:38 AM:

" It seems to me the people who have hobbies outside or live in the country with children have every right to be worried about a threat of a mountain lion in the close vicinity of their homes. The people who say there is nothing to worry about are the same names that are on every Tribune post blog. I suppose I wouldn't worry either, if all I did was sit & type on my computer. Cats can do a lot of things, but opening doors isn't one of them. So don't come down on other people for their concern. If you do some listening and learning you'll realize there is a reason people are worried about mountain lions, the mountain lions have EARNED that fear in the past and they continue to earn that fear in other states, we have just been lucky here in ND. Let's use our heads and take precaution before we have any trouble. If Game/Fish don't want to let us know, I'm glad our neighbors will. "

Mike R wrote on May 15, 2008 11:10 AM:

" I just read my own comment. Now Mindy is going to be all over me because of my Typo errors. That definitely will prove me wrong. "

Law wrote on May 15, 2008 11:00 AM:

" Mindy, the G&F does not get 100's of reports of lions in the Bismarck area. Lions in our area are transients, moving out of the Badlands or the Black Hills.

You are really overreacting on this issue. The USDA expert determined it probably wasn't a lion that attacked the horse, the tracking dog didn't come up with any scent, there were no visible signs of a mt lion in the pasture, the deer referenced were dead for a long time. Go to the G&F and pickup their brochure on how to act around a wild lion and go about your life. Lions are hard to find even when you are looking for them, I know I've hunted them before and they aren't hiding behind every bush like some people would have you believe. "

Andrin muller wrote on May 15, 2008 11:00 AM:

" your all crazy "

Mike R wrote on May 15, 2008 10:48 AM:

" Mindy: The only response I saw from you was a couple of cheap shots about more people on here like you than me. Yeah, well thought out argument there, and by the way, real mature. Never once did I say that Seretoma park wasn't a place Lions could be. I agree that is a good place to try to see one. But I will take my kids there and let them play deep in the woods without any fear, because I know even if the lions are there, the chances of an attack are a thousand times less than dying in a car accident on the way to the part. I know the cats are here. I just don't see the huge problem you speak of. There are a lot more very real and very serious problems out there to be concerned with. And the part about anyone on this forum "proving" me wrong. Yeah, I must have missed that post. Its all speculation and opinion from people who haven't even seen or read anything about the case other than the newspaper article. Nothic close to proof. "

Mindy wrote on May 15, 2008 8:38 AM:

" Mike R - You just have no idea what direction you're even going in. You call me out on things and I respond...then in your next post you don't mention a thing about it. Do you forget that fast or is it that you were proved wrong by everyone on here and just prefer to stick your tain between yor legs....hmmmm....wish you would do that and just go the other way for once. I completely agree with eveyrone that Sertoma park would be an excellent place to see a mountain lion. Many different species of animals at the zoo that would draw them in, as well as the river there that they like to stick around. People are absurd to believe GFD that there aren't many here....just wating for that day that someon in out local area gets attacked...they will be back-petaling then. "

Bil wrote on May 15, 2008 8:21 AM:

" I was there the day after the attack... It was not a tree.. I saw the tracks as well.. They never showed any picutes of the genitals on that horse.. extensive damage.. I think it was a brief attack at a mare that was trying to run away ... plain and simple.. I believe if you call Kyle he would gladly show you the mare. "

KG wrote on May 15, 2008 5:43 AM:

" My husband knows Kyle well. He has worked with him for the past several years and he has been a very honest business man. My husband went over and seen first hand the damage done to the mare and also said there were tracks. There is no way that a juniper bush could have caused those injuries to the horse. Kyle and others are not wrong nor liars. Why is Game and Fish trying to cover tihs up? No body is trying to cause a panic they just want the truth to be told. Game and Fish ....... you are here to serve the taxpayers and public ..... we expect intelligent and honest answers!!!!! "

seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 11:49 PM:

" First off I am ilikelabs on NodakOutdoors.com but go back and look and you will see that I joined before Laura posted anything on there and your statement that I have insulted her on that website is a lie. Go to the website and look. I even said I feel bad for her family and her horse but I just don't think it was a mountain lion that injured her horse. You think you are quite the detective but you are so far off it's not even funny. I bet you believe the people that say George Bush planned 9-11. Do you believe in Bigfoot? If not why not, there have been thousands of reported sightings. How about the Loch Ness Monster - same thing. Most don't believe because the facts just aren't there to support them being real. The same is true of your allegations. If you won't look at the information that's available and choose to be ignorant there isn't anything more that can be said to you. "

Mike R wrote on May 14, 2008 10:37 PM:

" Mindy: I am outrageous because I don't live in total fear of an animal that I have a 99.9% chance of never encountering, even though I spend a great deal of my time outdoors? Yeah, sure. You are the one who made the mountain lions out to be this huge problem. I simply asked you to define this problem and show me some numbers. What a totally outrageous concept???? Bil: A rancher who has seen dozens of lions? Impossible to believe in the first place. Second, he is upset because the G&F admitter there were a few living in that area? He saw a few (because we all know for absolute certain that he couldn't have seen the same lions twice) and the G&F said there were a few in the area. Was he expecting the G&F to give him an exact number of the lions in his area? How would he expect them to know that? Does he know exactly how many coyotes are within a 20 mile radius of his place? Yet he expects the G&F to have exact figures on an animal that is 50 times more elusive? Sounds like a real rational guy. "

seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 9:13 PM:

" To seriously people, I don't care if you believe anything I type or not. I don't work for Game & Fish I drive truck in the oilfield and I have talked to many ranchers. It must have been in December when that presentation was in Crosby but regardless you will believe what you want and I can believe what I want. I'm just tired of all these conspiracy people that think there is something to gain by under estimating a mountain lion population or stating an attack on a horse wasn't from a mountain lion if it was. It's like they want to scare people and if you listen to them and stay away from the badlands or anywhere else outdoors because of a fear of mountain lions it's really too bad. I don't advocate being wreckless that's never a good idea in the outdoors but don't let fear keep you from enjoying the outdoors. You don't have to believe me as I said the information is there for you to look at yourself. Go to the links in my other posts and read it for yourself. If you do I just don't see how you can think they are hiding things. "

to seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Well, how was your day in the NDGF office today? I hear there are wild turkeys in town now too...or are they robins? Please let us know what your public report was doctored to say, we'd like to hear it firsthand!

This guy "seriously people" joined nodakoutdoors.com just a couple days ago, shortly after Laura Berquist came on to give their facts on the incident. All this guy, who goes by "ilikelabs" has done, is follow-up everyone of her comments with sarcasm. At least she has the decency to defend her husband after a poster called him 'stupid'. Good woman!!! She gave her account of the facts, and I must say, reading her information sure puts a different light on things. And, she has the courage to write under her full name, just like her husband. The majority of comments on both boards are from anonymous posters....funny how condemning folks can be under an alias.

"

saw it first hand wrote on May 14, 2008 8:15 PM:

" For all of you who insist a cat will not attack an animals back legs - you are very wrong. I had a horse get attacked by a lion on his back leg, made a real mess out of him with a very deep open gash and claw marks. Fortunately the horse has healed after a year of doctoring. No I did not call the game & fish - I did see the cat by the way so know it was one. I live close to Bismarck also as does my mother who had one in her front yard - she saw that one herself, not the tracks. You can try to go by your textbooks all you want but it doesn't hold true to every case or cat for that matter. I will continue to get rid of the problem myself before I will trust the g&f to do it. "

to Seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 7:39 PM:

" I dont believe a word you type. In fact I think you work for the game and fish... the tone in your words almost remind me of a government official. what presentation did you attend in Crosby? Pick a name out of the phone book for a ranch in the western part of the state.. especially the west central and south. call the rancher and ask him what he thinks the population of Mt. Lions is in his area. If they are basing the populations on "reported" sightings then they are for sure way off on their estimates.. How many ranchers actually report sightings.. especially if they are going to be made to look foolish by the game and fish. most shoot and keep their mouths shut.. AS would I. "

seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 6:07 PM:

" Bil, I've lived in Western North Dakota my whole life and work in the oil field. Up until 5 or 6 years ago you never heard a single word about mountain lions. The overwhelming majority of ranchers I've talked to have never seen a mountain lion and the majority have never even seen any sign of them. This conspiracy theory as it relates to Game & Fish and mountain lions is rediculous. I was at a presentation in Crosby done by their furbearer biologist Dorothy Feske and the things that have been reported to them as mountain lions would make you laugh. Everything for house cats, to dogs, to red fox, and rabbits. I can see why they approach reports with skepticism but I don't think it's with a closed mind. They confirm many mountain lion sightings every year according to that presentation but not everything that's reported is legitimate. They've put out many reports and a lot of information about mountain lions. Sometimes you just have to look for it a little bit. As I asked Dante's Inferno, what do you want them to do go door to door to make sure everyone gets the information. Go to their website and you can find a report they put out in October of 2007 in which they state there was 218 reported sightings in 2006. They verified 12% of those reports and listed 39% as probable unverified. So I ask, where is the cover up? "

Mom wrote on May 14, 2008 5:12 PM:

" actually Curious, Sertoma Park may be a place a lion would go. There are other mt. lions right there at the zoo that may draw them in. They really aren't all that afraid of people. Remember the one that was killed in New Salem last year...right by the walking path and the shopping center and vet office. Not trying to scare anyone into not going to the park or zoo! Go and enjoy the great outdoors! Just don't be ignorant of what may be out there. "

to curious wrote on May 14, 2008 5:04 PM:

" Don't be so sure there aren't any mountain lions in Sertoma park !!?? I have been a trapper,& know a few things about wildlife . So, take my word for it !!
Lions like to hunt along the river ! The zoo is by the river,& Sertoma Park !! There
are Mountain lions at the zoo !! These lions could,& probable will attracked wild
mountain lions!! So, never say never!! because this may be a good place for them to be found evenually !! My advice is be careful !! No matter what GFD says!!?? "

Mindy wrote on May 14, 2008 4:55 PM:

" I am not upset about it at all. I just think that GFD insults the public's intelligence when they get hundreds of reports of sightings of them and yet, just like in the earlier post, says, oh yes, there 2 in the area. Why can't they just tell the truth about it?? There are some people out there that don't have a computer and can't look up the habits of a lion on the web, so maybe within all these articles they put in the paper and on TV they should include some information. I see that they finally did include some tips in that last one....thanks for that post! "

Bil wrote on May 14, 2008 4:28 PM:

" I will believe a hard working rancher over the game and fish any day.. Ask a Rancher in the western part of the state if he thinks the G and F is underestimating the numbers... 9 out of 10 will say they do.. plain and simple.. or you can leave you blinders on keep believing the government. They are known for the truth telling capabilities.. prob just dont want the people of bismarck to be alarmed.. what do they think will happen.. mad panic... just be honest for once game and fish... once.. "

seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 4:23 PM:

" Tom, the wounds on the horse in the Minot paper and the wounds on the horse near Bismarck look nothing alike. You can't compare mountain lions to African lions. African lions typically hunt with a pride especially when trying to take down large animals like zebras and cape buffalo. Other members of the pride can help distract the prey. Also, they won't go in low between the legs or under the tail because they know one kick from a large animal can kill or mame them. If they go from behind they will go high on the haunches or onto the back to avoid being kicked. The horse in the Minot paper definitely looks like it had a confrontation with a mountain lion but I would bet a lot of money the one in Bismarck had nothing to do with a mountain lion. I have even seen comments by Laura Bergquist that she is not sure it was a mountain lion, she just doesn't like the juniper theory. "

seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 4:14 PM:

" Bil, anyone that claims to have seen dozens of mountain lions in the wild and doesn't have a career working with them is a liar plain and simple. "

Curious wrote on May 14, 2008 4:13 PM:

" Mindy - You are upset because GFD hasn't taught you where you might find a mountain lion or what to do if you happen across one? I assume you are an intelligent woman & you obviously have access to a computer...do a little research! Do you spend much time in the country or rural areas? Lesson one - that's where mountain lions hang out, especially out in the badlands. Lesson two - make yourself as large as possible, don't run screaming, do make alot of noise. P.S. I don't think you will find any mountain lions wandering around downtown Bismarck or Sertoma Park. "

GARRY wrote on May 14, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I have seen coyote's around my house at nite,when my house cat goes crazy!
On several occations,i have seen antelope only a few blocks from my house!
I don't believe i will ever see aliens,bigfoots, or werewolfs!? But, i do think
that the lions are not that far away !!?? It doesn't matter who thinks so !!
I live in S.E. Mandan. "

Bil wrote on May 14, 2008 3:26 PM:

" I was talking with a rancher in Williston last night. he has reported Mt. lions to the game and fish.. says he has seen dozens of them and a few with litters.. Game and fish tell him that there are a few in the area... did you hear that... he has seen dozens and a few with litters.. Game and fish tells him that there are 2... wow..

This man is not impressed with the game and fish either.. cant blame him "

tom wrote on May 14, 2008 3:23 PM:

" Mountain lion attacks horse near Dish

A mountain lion attacked a horse on a trail near the Dish last week, causing moderate injuries, according to Stanford police.

The attack occurred around 1 p.m. Friday at the Felt Ranch near Felt Lake and involved a riderless horse that was roaming in a fenced-in area, said Lt. Del Bandy of the Department of Public Safety.

Department of Fish and Game officials responded to the call about the injured horse and found wounds that were almost certainly caused by a mountain lion, Bandy said. The horse was treated by a veterinarian and is expected to fully recover, Bandy said. Stanford police haven't received a report about a mountain lion attack in several years, he said.

Police posted warnings in the area that advised people not to hike alone, to keep children close by and to avoid bending over and crouching. If you spot a mountain lion, you should not run away; do what you can to look larger than you are. If attacked, fight back, Bandy said.

Great article...... happend at 1pm ( but that never happens according to NDG&F) and then they give some education on what to do if attacked... they dont deny that it could happen...

here is the link http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2004/april28/lion-428.html "

Tom wrote on May 14, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Those pics in the minot paper look like a mt lion attacked its neck... The horse in Bismarck looks like a mt lion attacked its rear end.. both cuts look allot alike just in different areas of the body.. It is obvious that the mare in bismarck was running away from the mt . lion.. thats all... watch an african lion take down a zebra.. they dont come from behind a running animal and bite them on the neck.. they take them down first usually from behind.. then attack the neck.. the horse in New town must have been suprised.. The mare in bismarck must have seen the lion and tried to run.. simple explenation ... After seeing these injuries I am totally convinced the horse in bismarck was not attacked by a Juniper tree.. no way.. the horse in New Town could have got those from a barbed wire fence.. but it didntn. did it.. "

to Frank the Tank wrote on May 14, 2008 2:46 PM:

" there you said the magic word..."typical". Now, if a meal is on the run away from the hungry puddy tat, would it take swipes and grabs at the rear end (esp. smelling so nummy with female pregnancy hormones), OR wouldthe puddy tat run faster to get close to the neck because "thats what my mama taught me 'typically' do. ohhh, what should I do!! Decisions, decisions"

No animal attacks in the same pattern time aftertime. Sorry. If you want to believe that, then you are EXACTLY the kind of person Game & Fish is wanting to convince that this was a tree that cut up the horse! "

dadof wrote on May 14, 2008 2:34 PM:

" maybe it was El Nino "

Seriously people wrote on May 14, 2008 2:27 PM:

" Dantes Inferno, you are the one without a clue buddy! G&F is not down playing mountain lions and they are not trying to hide their existance in North Dakota. Do a little research. They have confirmed other mountain lion encounters and sightings in the past and recently agreed with the TAT on a mountain lion attack on a horse on the reservation. Look at the link from Frank the Tank and look at the picture and read the article. Compare the marks on that horse to the Bergquist horse. NO COMPARISON. Dorothy Fecske had already published a report indicating the area around Four Bears could sustain a population of mountain lions. Real coverup. Here's another link to a report from 2006: http://www.gf.nd.gov/multimedia/pubs/docs/mtn-lion-report.pdf again not much of a coverup. They have an open season throughout the entire state with no limit on mountain lions east of the Missouri River. I've seen a very nice brochure they put out that does talk about what to do in case you have an encounter with a mountain lion. Do they need to go door to door and hand feed this information to every resident of North Dakota. Do a little research on your own and you'll see there is much more information out there than you conspiracy theorists want to admit to. "

Law wrote on May 14, 2008 2:18 PM:

" To Bil, One dog can track a lion, the reason most hunters use more than one is to keep the cat moving, one dog would not last long keeping a lion treed up. "

Bil wrote on May 14, 2008 1:17 PM:

" you dont see mountain lions.. unless they want to be seen... and if you do.. you are prob being hunted or stalked. Ask anybody that spends time in the mountains.

It also usually takes more than one dog track one as well.. most hunters use a team of hounds. "

Frank the Tank wrote on May 14, 2008 12:41 PM:

" Here's a pic of the horse that was recently attacked by a mountain lion near New Town. Notice the parallel scratches to the neck that are typical of a mountain lion attack. Unlike some people claim, mountain lions do not attack the rear of an animal using one or two claws.

http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/515157.html?nav=5010
"

Mindy wrote on May 14, 2008 12:19 PM:

" Oh yeah, and while you're talking about how car accidents and such kill more people than this....I have something to say on that. DMV as well as toms of other places, have given us the TOOLS we need to protect outselves and maximize safety while in vehicles...there's classes, techniques, seat belts, airbags, courses and numerous other things to educate us on MV safety. Has GFD done anything to teach us about where we are more likely to find the lions or what to do when you come face to face with one? No they haven't and that is because they are too busy denying they are here to teach us anything else. "

Mindy wrote on May 14, 2008 12:11 PM:

" To Mike R. I think you're the one that needs the reality check. I never said the lions are the "problem". I said that everyone, especially GFD are pushing the issue under the rug and are trying to deny that these lions are right here in out area. They ARE here and everyone, including GFD knows it. Why don't they take a different approach and instead of denying they are here, maybe usetheir resources to educate people on their personalities and the do's and don'ts and teach people how to protect themselves from them. Giving everyone the false sense that they are not here at all is going to end up getting someone killed when they come face to face with one in the wild and are not prepared. You sure have a lot of opinions on things, and most of them are outrageous....as you can plainly see by the number of people that have a not-so-nice response fo you on here. "

jb wrote on May 14, 2008 11:36 AM:

" I think everybody is getting a little crazy on this post. The seriousness of it is
that anytime there is a report, GFD spends all their time trying to prove the sightee wrong. The biggest offense here is the way GFD responds to the person who either has actually seen one or has seen the actions of one. I remember the sighting up by Minot when the people came home and the cat was in their yard. They saw it plain as can be, but the GFD was horribly rude and basically called the people liars. GFD's attitude is arrogant and offensive. I wonder if that is part of their training. Are they indoctrinated to think they are the 'professionals' and the general public is stupid? I live in lion country and we have had their big tracks quite close to our house and all around our ranch on several occasions. Did I call the GFD - NO! I don't need them to tell me that there's a 'cat' around. You see, contrary to their opinion - I do know what a cat and their tracks look like. Revelation for you, GFD? "

Dantes Inferno wrote on May 14, 2008 11:19 AM:

" To - Seriously People - Are you living in the outdoors in a fabricated grass kilt? The government is always trying to downplay things. They don't want a public panic. I think YOU are the one drinking the Kool-Aid, the only problem - (you don't know the flavor, buddy). "

To Bil wrote on May 14, 2008 10:07 AM:

" In an earlier post (wrote on May 9, 2008 8:06 AM) you said that government officials don't tell the truth and/or you don't believe them? Dude, we have friends and family here in North Dakota too, why would we lie? I work within the Federal Govt, and in NO WAY do we need to follow what the higher ups say. Sure we have basic guidelines, but in my line of work we tell it how it is. In my experience, if you don't say what the public wants (i.e. It's a lion, it had to be a tornado, we don't need a burn-ban, etc...), we always get chastised by people like you. There are no cover-ups! Now be nice before I order a chemtrail over your house..... "

REX wrote on May 14, 2008 10:00 AM:

" Checking the Cows, You were bait, Sir. I always left shoulder weapons in various places around the farm. I told my kids they were loaded and to leave them alone. They did. Education is wonderfull. "

REX wrote on May 14, 2008 2:47 AM:

" Equines RUS One single gun shot is hard to trace, no? "

Mike R wrote on May 14, 2008 2:42 AM:

" Captain crunch: I am well armed, but it has nothing to do with large cats. I am much more concerned with human predators, than mountain lions. Your odds of being attacked by a fellow human are thousands of times greater than being attacked by a mountain lion. That is why I am armed. Big cats are the absolute least of my worries. "

checking cows wrote on May 14, 2008 1:02 AM:

" On Thursday night of last week I was checking cows just after dark. I had a sick calf that I had been doctoring in the barn so I had stepped inside to check on it. All seemed well except that the rest of the cows seemed nervous. I shut off the lights, shut the gate to the barn and thought I'd take one last check on the cows. Then the hair raised up on the back of my neck for some reason or other. I swung my spotlight down to the end of my calving pasture, which had no cows in it, and saw eyes shining back at me, and then nothing. I had to check the tracks and it turned out to be a coyote I believe, but sure had my heart going anyhow. I can't imagine what I'd done if I saw lion tracks. For a while there I felt like bait! "

kk wrote on May 13, 2008 6:19 PM:

" to EQUINESRUS~ you are right about not calling GFD~ but you are wrong about being trashed~ the only ones being trashed are GFD~ the poor horse owner has had to suffer the stupidity of GFD~ and that is the reality of this whole story~ GFD was less than helpful but they sure take the money for doing nothing, don't they? "

vetter wrote on May 13, 2008 6:09 PM:

" I blame climate change........ "

EquinesRUs wrote on May 13, 2008 4:23 PM:

" All I know is if I ever have something questionable happen, I sure as heck won't be reporting it to Game & Fish. I'll quietly take it out on my own rather than be trashed in a discussion forum by opiniated city folk. "

Most sightings wrote on May 13, 2008 3:58 PM:

" http://users.frii.com/mytymyk/lions/attacks.htm
http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_ca.html
http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_nonca.html
They are nocturnal and really sneaky. Most sightings I have read about come to late or just in time. A person in Yosemite National park saw one when it quickly came into camp to snatch their dog and run back to the brush with it. Lady in northern California wildlife area hike heard her husband moan and turned to see a mountain lion clamped on his head, she beat on it with a thick tree branch. Adults throwing rocks to retrieve kids from a mountain lion in San Diego county park and Vancouver Island. Include Colorado and Montana and the list of attacks is long and friends throwing rocks or swinging sticks or mountain bikes rescued most people. One lady saw a mountain lion clamp on a fellow camper and killed it with the knife she was preparing food with. The list of attacks and rescues is very long. Apparently when they attack adults they clamp on head or neck and do not want to let go, making it easy for others to beat on them or whatever. They grab kids and dogs by the head and try to run off dragging them between front legs.
For most it is the only time they will see one outside of a zoo. The very few people, who have seen one, sitting on a hillside looking around for tonights dinner, are very lucky to have seen one at all.
What can you tell a kid? The articles from wildlife experts usually do not say. But the reports seem to indicate that the only time a kid might ever see one would be after a pet or friend has already been grabbed by the head. Throw rocks, yell, and get adults quickly is the only logical advice. "

REX wrote on May 13, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Dave, LOL! "

Dave wrote on May 13, 2008 2:43 PM:

" nobody has been killed in ND by a mountain lion? I was killed years ago by a mountain lion and it hurts. I hope I never get killed again that bad. "

REX wrote on May 13, 2008 2:41 PM:

" D, I've spent alot of time outdoors in cat country in a number of states and I've never seen a cat either. I don't want to. If we are that close there is noway to predict behavior, mine or theirs'. Once when I was a boy we were out on the Colorado Plateau and we heard one. We did not hang around, at all. "

D wrote on May 13, 2008 1:59 PM:

" I have horses. One was cut up badly seven years ago. A hind leg from below her hock, up half way to her stifle and multiple cuts and scratches all over her left side. We were in "cat" country...it was a fence. SOmebody was running a stud in the pasture next to us and I was not informed...she was protecting her territory. A tree would leave enough evidence for the vet and Game and Fish to make an informed decision. I hunt, I ride, I walk...I am outdoors nearly every single day...I have been for over 25 years. I have never seen a cat. I believe they are there, but I have never seen one. "

REX wrote on May 13, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Custer's guides got killed. "

SoTrue wrote on May 13, 2008 12:22 PM:

" It is why Custer hired indian guides. The average white tracker cannot find his own kids half the time. Duh, looks to me like he was chewing on the wrong end of the horse, must be a hyena out there somewhere. Maybe a coyote on steroids? Wait, I have it, it was another mare that was jealous of her being pregnant and chased her into a juniper bush backwards. Yes that is my final report, why are we out of coffee, whose turn is it to make coffee. Is Minnesota missing any wolves?
"

Captain Crunch wrote on May 13, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Mike R, Don't be worried, be armed. "

MIke R wrote on May 13, 2008 12:03 PM:

" Captain crunch: No thanks. I've already got a job. In fact, I have to get ready to leave for it right now. And thankfully my job doesn't require me to live in fear of what "might" someday happen and then try to convince people that it is a problem. "

Captain Crunch wrote on May 13, 2008 11:55 AM:

" Mike R, If the cows take over the world maybe you can ask one for a job. "

Mike R wrote on May 13, 2008 11:35 AM:

" Mary Sue: The problem is that to many people demand that the facts be manipulated to suit what-ever thier knee-jerk response to the situation is. They read a story about a possible mountain lion attack, and they believe that is what it must have been. No amount of proof is ever going to convince them that it was anything else. Even if someone could provide video footage of what happened, it will always be labeled a cover-up or a conspiracy for some reason. Their initial response was that it must be an attack and so an attack it is - proof or no proof. Any attempt to investigate the facts will be considered a cover-up. Anything less than a full scale confirmation of the attack (without any unneccesary investigation) will be considered totally unacceptable. That is the problem as I see it. "

Mike R wrote on May 13, 2008 11:30 AM:

" Captain crunch: Oh, I get it now. We are supposed to over-react and take drastic measures for everything that could ever become a problem some day. Well we better get right on top of building that new Alien Defense grid then. How about preparing for the "problem" that cows might someday become intelligent creatures and vow to take over the world? "

they are everywhere wrote on May 13, 2008 11:01 AM:

" People are kidding themselves if they don't think mountain lions are everywhere around this state. Why do you think small towns have gotten so small? These aggressive people eaters have been taking people out for years and people have done nothing but sit back and watch our small towns gets even smaller. "

Captain Crunch wrote on May 13, 2008 10:41 AM:

" There was no problem until the plains hit the Twin Towers either. "

Mike R wrote on May 13, 2008 10:17 AM:

" Bob: And besides, I never stick up for law enforcement. At times, I try to insert facts into a discussion when they are seriously lacking. Just because I actually know something about law enforcement, doesn't mean I am sticking up for them. If you have been around here for any length of time, you would have noticed that there are times where I do take the side opposite of law enforcement when they do something dumb. I just can't stand to see so much mis-information being spread around. And if you doubt that, I have asked many times on different topics for someont to prove me wrong with facts instead of making personal attacks. Have you ever stepped up to take the challange? That fact alone should tell you that when I have "defended" law enforcement, I must have been on the mark with what I said, or people like you would have been all over me. "

Mike R wrote on May 13, 2008 10:12 AM:

" Bob: I am not sticking up for law enforcement or how the G&F is handling this. My post to Mindy is simply stating that there is no PROBLEM of mountail lions killing kids or attacking people like she tries to claim. She makes it sound like the cats are everywhere and in our cities and on our school playgrounds and kids are disappearing left and right and etc. I just tried to give her a little reality check on the "problem" as she sees it. Please show me where I defended any law enforcement agency in my post. You sure do read a lot into things don't you? "

kk wrote on May 13, 2008 9:10 AM:

" the PROBLEM is not the mountain lions the PROBLEM is GFD are in denial and treat the public like idiots~ they are afraid to be honest hiding behind the stigma that people will panic~ wouldn't you rather have a little panicked safety then a child mauled by a big cat~ this is called PREVENTIVE~ but it has to be honest and GFD refuse to do this~ heck~ they hate to get off their office chairs and go outside~ AND I AM SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE HERE so don't attack me~ they actually tell you that you really need to be sure and can you go out and check again~ Really??? What are they getting paid for~ "

Mary Sue wrote on May 13, 2008 8:29 AM:

" It's interesting that when the NDGF promoted hunting mountain lions, then there was so much support for their decision. Now suddenly, they're lying to us? So, when they give the OK to go out and kill mountain lions, they know what they're talking about, but when they want to investigate what appears to be a lion attack before giving an opinion, then they don't know what they're talking about. My point is that NDGF has not shown, in past actions, that they want to protect these lions, so why would they start now? "

Dave wrote on May 13, 2008 8:18 AM:

" I think this is pretty simple. There are mountain lions in our state. If you see one and you think it's too close to you, your family, or anything else, just shoot it. "

Been Around wrote on May 13, 2008 8:03 AM:

" Years ago there were mountain lions, moose, elk, wolves and even bears in this part of the country. Why would we think they wouldn't return given favorable climatic conditions and a favorable predator/prey cycle? Those cycles will always be occuring over long periods of time. Look at the heavy populations of pheasants, turkeys, deer and antelope we have right now with the mild winters we've been having and the elk and moose that have been spotted in the area. A couple of harsh winters will change some of that.

Sure, there might be more or less of these animals around, depending on the cycles, but does that really make them a problem or is it a problem with individual animals? I lived in an area where bears and moose frequently came into town. They dealt with problem animals when they needed to, which wasn't very often. No one said they should eliminate or relocate all the bears and moose to somewhere else. People enjoyed their yards, the hiking trails, their ranches, the fishing streams and such without getting all paranoid about wild animals. Perhaps they were just more used to them than we are.

I can see dealing with a problem animal; that makes common sense. But anticipating all animals of a species will be a problem and then calling to eliminate them all 'just in case' seems like an overreaction and an attempt to develop a false sense of security. Wild animal attacks do happen but they are unusual. "

Bob wrote on May 13, 2008 7:47 AM:

" Mike R, I was wondering how long until you stepped in to stick up for law enforcement. I think what the owner is more concerned with, from reading his reply, is that Game/Fish neglected to put TRUE information into their report. The report they took varied from the owner's info he gave them on-site. And also the fact that G/F chalks the attack up to a Juniper tree, rather than just admitting they don't know.

Everyone is harping on the horse owner and saying he's wrong "because he didn't see it happen." Well, G/F didn't see the Juniper attack, so what makes them correct in this case? All they would have to say is "we don't know what did this",but the arrogance of that dept will not allow them to do such. "

REX wrote on May 13, 2008 6:49 AM:

" MR Yes odds are higher of auto injuries. But we have Driver's ED, air bags, seat belts,cell phones and 911. If we could all carry a Sharps I'd feel better. "

Mike R wrote on May 12, 2008 10:00 PM:

" Mindy: Please tell us what the "problem" here really is. How many attacks have there been in ND? How many small children have been eaten by these mountail lions? So what is the problem, other than the fact that they exist at all? I am sorry to tell you this, but if we eliminate every possible threat to your loved ones, that pretty much seals them permenantly in a bubble. Do you realize that your loved ones are a thousand times more likely to die in a car accident than be the victim of a mountain lion attack? There odds of being struck by lighting while underground in the middle of December are probably equal to thier odds of being attacked by a mountain lion. Is that really much of a problem? Personally, I would be more worried about alien abduction than mountain lions. "

the real truth wrote on May 12, 2008 9:43 PM:

" It was not a mountain lion that attacked the horse it was a sasquatch-man. The darned creature was out looking for some beef jerkey, when the horse decided to mess with it. So the sasquatch-man attacked the horse. I would too. Nobody gets in the way of finding some beef jerkey. Next time the horse will think twice before messin' with sasquatch-man. I hope the game and fish department won't waste money looking for a sasquatch-man now. Seriously though, animals are animals. Even domesticated ones can attack. "

Bono wrote on May 12, 2008 6:52 PM:

" A few years ago we lived in Fox Island. We heard the most terrifying gutteral growl going through our backyard one night. It was definitely a cat - probably within 15 feet of our house. The next day the neighbors said they also heard it and a wooden bird nesting box nailed about 10' up in a tree had been torn down. There ARE cats here and they follow the river and the deer - for sure. "

Bil wrote on May 12, 2008 5:17 PM:

" Lets all put milk out for them. take pictures and prove that the game and fish is wrong. or like one reader said "tie your ex wife to a tree" and see what happens. "

Mindy wrote on May 12, 2008 4:29 PM:

" I think it is crazy that they're aren't doing anything about these. I guess it will take someone getting attacked and killed while walking through Sertoma or a little kid getting killed in their back yard before they will wake up and realize the problem. So until then I guess we'll all live in fear and hope that our loved ones aren't the ones that will be proving it to them. "

MsRepublicanWit wrote on May 12, 2008 3:03 PM:

" I'd say it's pretty apparent, wouldn't you? Shoot the thing, stuff it and send it to the heritage museum! "

REX wrote on May 12, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Let's organize a drive with video equipment. We can arm ourselves for protection but let's just try for evidence. Then we can give it to the boys at Game and Fish. Heck, we could bait it too. Just a minute I'll call my exwife and see if she has time to be staked out....................... "

to Law wrote on May 12, 2008 1:36 PM:

" Nobody is saying that the game and fish are denying that there are cats in ND.. Everybody is saying howeever that they are underestimating how many are here and where they are... wow They deny everytime somebody sees one unless they see it themself... there was one spotted across the street from Prairie rose elementary school last year but that got swept under the rug as well.. Apple creek is a natural path from the river that they follow east.. just because a dog didnt get a scent doesnt mean that there wasnt a lion east of bismarck attacking this guys horse.. the privates of this mare were demolished.. instead of saying that lions only attack the neck and acting like this didnt happen ... A TREE DIDNT DO THIS TO THE HORSE!!! if it was a pack of coyotes then say it could have been coyotes.. dont brush it off on a bush... what do they think this guy is stupid... "

dlj wrote on May 12, 2008 1:34 PM:

" To Bil: Do you know where New Town is or what is south west of New Town ??? THE BADLANDS. There are prpbobly quite a few mountain lions in the area. As a matter of fact I have seen lions in that part of the state. That area is lion habitat. It only makes sense that they are seeing more lions than usual. There have been lions out there for years they are not warning people because one or two lions have been spotted like in the Bismarck area. I don't dispute that there are lions around here but because there are possible signs that a lion is around is not reason to send out a warning and cause a public panic. The difference is that they have actually seen the lions by New Town and they positively know thiere are lions in the area. Has anybody in the surrounding Bismarck area actually seen a lion or just what appears to be possible signs of a lion ??? "

REX wrote on May 12, 2008 1:32 PM:

" Hey it can happen! You saw the trees grab Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz didn't you? "

Thomas Elliot wrote on May 12, 2008 1:14 PM:

" These cats are wild but hunger will bring them into closer proximity with humans. I've seen bears in broad day light amble across a city street looking for garbage. You see it with dear as well. Every once in a while a hiker gets taken out in California. I've also had cyotes and foxes stand in the middle of my yard and look at me because we were both going to the hen house. My point is that you cannot safely predict the behavior of a wild animal who is trying feed itself. I lost a calf to cyotes one spring. If there was a big cat there it might even be nursing a litter. I wouldn't be shy at all about taking it out. Sooner or later something or someone is going to get hurt. My father-in-law had a big cat living around his house trying to get his house cat. Several time they ran into each other in the yard on his way to the garage, this guy lived on the edge of town with close neighbors. The big cat had to go. "

M wrote on May 12, 2008 12:43 PM:

" If I didn't know Kyle, I'd think he was a crackpot after reading some of your posts. Fact is, I do know this young man and can vouch for his credibility. I've known him through the Bismarck-Mandan Homebuilders Association; he is the current President and doing a darn good job! He's a successful businessman in our community and an upstanding person with strong values. Was it a cougar or not? Who the heck knows? At least he has the guts to stand up and let the authorities know he doesn't agree with their conclusion of a 'wild attack tree'. Would any of you folks? "

Hat wrote on May 12, 2008 12:07 PM:

" "You notice that 3 affiliated tribes are warning people but the game and fish are just saying that they have seen some.. they issue no warning.. at all.... "

Please. Can't we give people a little credit for having some common sense?
"

Did you know wrote on May 12, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Why is a mountain lion on the beach like Christmas? They both have sandy claws. "

Whats next wrote on May 12, 2008 11:01 AM:

" I read that southern California is having trouble with coyotes...they wander around the residential areas and try to drag away infants and small children. Better get out the binoculars...I heard GFD will be bringing in trailerloads of California coyotes in the black of the night next! "

menu wrote on May 12, 2008 10:55 AM:

" maybe it was a bigfoot or the chupecabre "

Law wrote on May 12, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Why should a warning be issued. There are wild things out there watchout! How ridiculous. To to just curious, there is no lottery to be drawn for furbearers, you just buy a license and go, anyone can get one. The G&F knows there are lions in ND they set a season for goodness sakes. They evaluated the recent situation and determined that they didn't think it was a lion. If you are scared then you had better move into town. I like how Doug Leier trapped the lady by getting her to state that her tracks had claws when everyone knows cats don't have their claws out when they are walking. Classic. "

Bil wrote on May 12, 2008 10:04 AM:

" You notice that 3 affiliated tribes are warning people but the game and fish are just saying that they have seen some.. they issue no warning.. at all.... "

truth wrote on May 12, 2008 10:02 AM:

" How many people in the State have been killed by mountain lions, how many by drunk drivers? Why is it that mountain lions have crossed into our States borders it is the NDGF Depts. fault. Maybe we should have a ND Homeland Security and put up a ten foot tall fence. I wish all of the people that are so concerned about a beautiful cat would be as concerned about ugly sex offenders, drunks, Hollywood and the other real threats to our familys. Why would the NDGF lie about anything, how do you keep such an act a secret. Anyone with this thought knows very little about Gov. Dept. functions. "

REX wrote on May 12, 2008 9:00 AM:

" FLASH!! Spruce tree spotted near New Town! "

Bil wrote on May 12, 2008 8:50 AM:

" May 12, 2008 - 04:05:28 CDT
NEW TOWN (AP) - Three Affiliated Tribes wildlife officials are warning people about mountain lions in an area west of New Town.

Tribal Game and Fish Director Fred Poitra says there have been two confirmed cougar sightings recently, and in one case a cougar followed two people for a time.


It could never have been a Mt. Lion..


Last year, there were a number of mountain lion sighting reports on the Fort Berthold Reservation, including in the area west of New Town. "

New Town sightings wrote on May 12, 2008 6:55 AM:

" Cougars spotted by New Town...at their Game & Fish can admit it. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=200969&section=News&freebie_check&CFID=33380350&CFTOKEN=54143409&jsessionid=883085718fd61a5a1c85 "

Bell wrote on May 11, 2008 11:11 PM:

" To Bil:

Because apparently he posted from his 1969 time machine???????????????? "

bil wrote on May 11, 2008 9:15 PM:

" why does "seriously people remain at the top of the postings? "

Donkey Fueron wrote on May 11, 2008 6:44 PM:

" I bet it was one of those pesky space aliens. They usually go after cows but now they have a penchant for horseflesh. "

Willy wrote on May 11, 2008 6:35 PM:

" Does anybody remember the stories about horse trailers with mt lions in them and the Game and Fish denying that they were relocating mt lions to areas of ND from overpopulated areas of Montana.. Is there any proof of this or was that just a rumor? I hear it from all sorts of people all over the state.. Ranchers in the west say that the Game and Fish are so far in the dark about how many Lions are in the state.. The game and fish will say that there are 10 and ranchers will say that there are 100s in areas of the state.. whey the breed the young ones have to move out of the territory and try to establish their own area to breed.. this goes on and on.. sooner or later they move farther east.. Is this so hard to believe? is it that far fetched? I think not.. Even if the Game and Fish didn't move them into the state.. They are wild and they do breed. They are territorial.. it only makes sense that they would sooner or later reach bismarck. why does the game and fish continue to say that there isnt a problem.. why not educate people instead of deny it and argue with everybody. If I see one I know for sure that I wont call the game and fish and risk having my name drug thru the mud. "

to to Mary Sue wrote on May 11, 2008 6:32 PM:

" You don't need to be concerned about your tax money supporting Game & Fish. They are funded 100% with fishing & hunting license fees. "

Bil wrote on May 11, 2008 6:28 PM:

" suddenly everybody just stopped posting on this one huh? Does the Game and Fish want this topic to go away too? "

Clark Gable wrote on May 11, 2008 3:04 PM:

" Exactly Bil, why can't Game and Fish just acknowledge it could have been a cat? If it wasn't--fine. But an attack tree?

So, anyone know how to go about reporting a vicious tree row to the Forestry Department? "

to Mary Sue wrote on May 11, 2008 2:40 PM:

" Ah yes, Mary Sue...you have the voice of reason...."yes, they are the gov't., and the gov't. has always told us the truth". Sorry but I will believe someone with common sense over someone affiliated with the gov't anyday. Do I think there is a conspiracy? Heck no. But I do know there's alot of tiptoeing that game and fish has done in years past regarding the presence of cougars. They don't have the best track record when it comes to listening to the public. Really glad thats what my tax dollars go to each year.... "

Mary Sue wrote on May 11, 2008 1:39 PM:

" I bet it was a werewolf - anyone can voice an opinion on what this might have been. Fact is, few people are knowledgeable enough to voice an opinion, including ranchers. Also, people are very trigger happy, and NDGF has never been on the side of the mountain lion, so highly doubtful they'd be trying to protect it here. Let the specialist figure it out - if it's a lion, I'm sure he'll verify it. "

Summer of ... wrote on May 11, 2008 1:24 PM:

" There it is again - that post from 1969 (from Seriously People).....awww - those were the days...... "

bil wrote on May 11, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Just acknowlege it.. educate people on what to do if they do see one. what do do if they are attacked. dont ignore the problem. educate and help.. isnt that what the game and fish is supposed to be about.. ? maybe I am way off base.?? "

Trail Guy wrote on May 11, 2008 7:59 AM:

" To 'Confused' who wrote - "Please explain why it matters if GFD thinks it was a mountain lion or not?"

Oh c'mon! You're spoiling the fun of conspiracy theories! "

the brain wrote on May 11, 2008 6:29 AM:

" IT WAS NOT A MOUNTAIN LION. LOOK AT THE MARKS ON THE HORSE...CAT CLAWS WOULD LOOK LIKE A ....I DON'T KNOW....A CLAW. THE MARKS ON THE HORSE WERE NOT CONSISTANT WITH CLAW MARKS. OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE. NEXT THING YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE BURNING WITCHES AT THE STAKE. "

WhatTheySay wrote on May 11, 2008 1:21 AM:

" Game and Fish want us on the defensive because Mountain Lions were here first and are returning. This is what they say 9 paragraphs down. They do not say how to confine farm animals well enough to keep Mountain Lions out. They can jump about 15 feet straight up. Maybe a 16 foot electric fence?
http://gf.nd.gov/multimedia/pubs/mtn-lion-bro.html
If living or recreating in mountain lion country: Do not feed wildlife, especially deer. Lions will follow their prey to feeding sites. Avoid landscaping with plants that deer prefer to eat. Keep pets under control. Roaming pets are easy prey for lions. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pet out-side, keep it in a kennel with a secure top. Don't feed pets outside as this can attract raccoons and other animals that lions eat. Store all garbage securely. Keep farm yard animals confined at night. Close doors to all outbuildings since inquisitive lions may go inside for a look. Supervise children when outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one. Walk in groups if you are hiking in mountain lion country. Consider carrying a sturdy walking stick as it can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children don't run ahead or lag behind. Avoid jogging alone, or at dawn or dusk, or night - the times of day when lions are most active. If you have a large dog, hike or jog with it leashed by your side. "

Confused wrote on May 10, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Please explain why it matters if GFD thinks it was a mountain lion or not? Would it make everyone feel better if they said they agreed with the owner? What then? Does everyone expect GFD to set up a trapline or organize a big old mountain lion hunt? No one disputes there are mountain lions in ND - we have hunting season on them. If the horse owner and the people living in the area believe there is a big cat living in the area then they need to take appropriate action...you have the right to protect your property. What is it you want GFD to do? Post sharpshooters in the area 24 hours a day? "

Fraidknot wrote on May 10, 2008 9:52 PM:

" http://skepdic.com/chupa.html
Maybe not, maybe it was one of those goat suckers (Chupacabra) working its way up from Mexico. Naturally the rangers will deny this also.
"

Bil wrote on May 10, 2008 8:40 PM:

" Just finished watching a documentary on National Geographic about a grizzly bear killed by a Mt. Lion It was attacked from behind and its back and Genitals were the area of the most damage.. not the neck.. "

to just curious wrote on May 10, 2008 1:47 PM:

" ahhh, i see you have taken off your brown uniform, and are now at home to defend your department. Well, I guess being only 5 cats are allowed to be taken, the chances of an interested rancher being drawn are very slim. "

just curious wrote on May 10, 2008 1:06 PM:

" I do strongly believe that there are mountain lions in the immediate are. My question is this. One comment I read was: There are several ranchers out here that have spotted tracks or had injuries to their horses, and NDGF completetly ignored their concerns, simply stating, "a mountain lion is highly unlikely, so we aren't going to come and check." Sorry, but I will believe a rancher over a gov't. entity anyday.

If there are several ranchers that have sen this and had injuries to horses then why do we not hear about lions being killed during the " mountain lion season" ? Are these ranchers not hunting them , or do they expect the state to come out and hunt them, or maybe are there not as many lions around as what ranchers are saying. If it were me and my livestock was being attacked I would be out there tracking and hunting down the lion that did it. I bet alot of these same ranchers that are complaining to the NDGF know exactly where the big bucks on thier land are and hunt them when deer season opens and those deer are not a threat to thier livelyhood o thier livestock like a lion would be. If they are not hunters like some I am suere are not, why not call a guide that hunts lions for a living and tell them where they have seen tracks. Personally I would do everything in my power to get id of the lion that was hurting my livestock. It is not the Game and fishs departments job. to do the hunting for them. "

dlj wrote on May 10, 2008 12:53 PM:

" Now Heidi Hietcamp is a mountain lion expert huh. She knows more than NDGF biologistsand experts from Wyoming that deal with mountain lion attacks alot more frequently tha ND does. I guess that settles it then it was a lion because Heidi said so. "

Bell wrote on May 10, 2008 12:46 PM:

" I know what is more dangerous to horses than Mountain Lions.......Horse Racing! "

Kyle Bergquist wrote on May 10, 2008 11:56 AM:

" Id like to set the record straight on NDGFs report. It is filled with inaccuracies and half-truths, and if I were a reader trying to base my decision on their facts, I have to admit Id think a mountain lion was improbable as well. Being I have a 350 word max, Ill address only the major points.

The timing of the attack I truly believe was right at sundown, as Sabas 25 plus bleeding points were fresh & actively bleeding when I saw her, all clearly explained to G&F. I could have easily been the reason the attack was ended, as I was out on my ATV rounding up the horses at that time. Also, the report says its unlikely the largest horse would have been attacked. My 10-day old foal had an open chest wound and injured legs also. I feel our mare Saba was attacked due to the fact she is ready to foal anyday, therefore is slower than the rest of the horses, making her easier prey. The majority of her wounds are not easily seen as they are up under the tail. The worst one being 8 long and about deep. Her front legs or feet has they say, had no injuries.

If NDGF thinks she was injured in the pasture, why is there no blood, hair, or hide on the juniper trees? Saba was bleeding enough that it was dripping down the rear legs, and soaked her tail. By the way, the white hair that they found, was actually white & interwoven with reddish brown, which belongs to another horse of mine. The attacked horse, Saba, is solid gray, not white, as G&F state. They also feel the pasture is too small and the horses were not getting along. This is an open, unconfined 40 acre pasture, and all mares have been pasture-mates for over 10 years.

Thank you to everyone who has visited and given their support.
"

Heidi wrote on May 10, 2008 11:55 AM:

" When did Joel and Heidi become mountain lion experts? Wow talk about credibility issues. I'd trust Joel and Heidi on politics but Heidi on Joels show didnt even know there was no quota outside the badlands. Joel corrected her on that. "

seriously people wrote on May 10, 2008 11:43 AM:

" I'm not sure what happened with my last post but apparently I have the ability to go back to 1969. I don't get why people think the G&F would deny this was a cat attack if it was when they've confirmed cat attacks in the past. Why would USDA Wildlife Service and Wildlife Services in Utah agree. What would they have to gain or lose by confirming a cat kill. I've seen the video of the horse and while I'm no expert they sure don't look like cat claw marks to me. I live in western North Dakota and travel the oil field roads all the time and have never seen any sign of a mountain lion. The majority of the ranchers I've talked to have never seen a mountain lion or any real signs of them. Some tell a different story but they are quite the minority. That's not to say I don't think there a mountain lions out there. There obviously here and I think it's safe to say their number are expanding but just because Heidi Heitcamp thinks numbers are higher than what G&F says they are doesn't mean that's true. I think that's just political bs. I know it's rare for Democrats to contradict Replican administrations and vice versa but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that might be the case here. "

horse owner wrote on May 10, 2008 11:01 AM:

" THANK YOU Bergquists, for making this public. I have young children and live out your direction. After reading this 'mountain lion fact sheet', it is scary. http://www.aws.vcn.com/mountain_lion_fact_sheet.html
Scroll 1/2 ways down where it describes attacks on humans....majority are small children, some playing in their own yards, or walking out in the open.

Interesting to note that Laura Small's family was able to sue the county and be awarded 2 million....imagine if it got to a lawsuit with ND Game and Fish.... "

horse owner wrote on May 10, 2008 10:26 AM:

" As a horse owner in the same area I am THANKFUL someone finally has the spine to stand up to NDGF!!! There are several ranchers out here that have spotted tracks or had injuries to their horses, and NDGF completetly ignored their concerns, simply stating, "a mountain lion is highly unlikely, so we aren't going to come and check." Sorry, but I will believe a rancher over a gov't. entity anyday. Why they choose to downplay the cat population, I don't know. Did you hear Joel Heitcamp's radio show yesterday? Heidi Heitcamp also "vehemently" agrees that there are more cats than G&F says, and that she believes the attack was by a cat. Mr. Bergquist called in later too. Very good talk show! Doug Leier was digging himself into a hole...

Bottom line: if you don't think the horse was injured 'badly enough' to be a mountain lion, head out to their barn yourself. If this once gentle, sweet horse, (who now barely lets Kyle get close to her) will allow you to lift up her tail and look, you may change your mind. See, the camera & G&F were not able to get those shots of the 7-8 inch long rip, and the teeth marks from the 'juniper'. Go check it out yourself = )
"

Tinker wrote on May 10, 2008 7:38 AM:

" "The odds are that, in ND, you are more likely to get bitten by a rattler than eaten by a mt lion."

By far. And the likelihood that a person will be bitten by dog and require medical care are is in the one to two hundred range. You would have a pretty good bet if you took the side that in your lifetime you would have a serious dog bite. Sure, a person might be attacked by a mountain lion. They might have a tree fall over on them, too. But the odds are very slim.
"

bil wrote on May 9, 2008 9:28 PM:

" http://community.webshots.com/inlinePhoto?photoId=1030410684034318349&src=c&referPage=http%3a%2f%2foutdoors.webshots.com%2fphoto%2f1030410684034318349ERMcnMTCga

pics of a zebra that was attacked by an african lion.... not in the neck... "

to westriver wrote on May 9, 2008 6:35 PM:

" So, you are looking at 1 picture and basing your conclusion on that? Did you see the video footage on kxmb.com? Have you been out to see the Bergquist horse? I didn't think so. I have, and do agree with the owner as well as other people who were at their farm. This horse would not allow anyone to get up close, to see the worst of the damage which was up underneath the tail and all along the rear. It's easy to discount something if you just sit at home and write on your computer. Get out & see the horse for yourself....I know Bergquists are more than happy for people to see the horse for themselves. Have a good night! "

Rangers are people too wrote on May 9, 2008 6:06 PM:

" http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=194 It is good to be a little suspicious. People do strange things in every organization. "

Wrong again Deb wrote on May 9, 2008 5:40 PM:

" Your statistics are flawed. There are millions of times more rattlesnakes than mountain lions in this country.
No one is trying to protect rattlesnakes. No one is trying to increase the numbers of rattlesnakes anywhere in this country. Children are not prevented from going to any California park because of rattlesnakes. California problems usually end up being other states problems also.
Have a nice weekend
"

westriver wrote on May 9, 2008 5:04 PM:

" I have to agree will Just Curious and dlj, that lion must have been in pretty rough shape if it only had one claw on its paws. When horses get to fighting they can get torn up either by the other horse, which didn't appear to be the case here, or by running or backing into whatever happens to be around. "

DodgeLover wrote on May 9, 2008 4:03 PM:

" I am surprised no one has come with another conspiracy theory - outside of Fish and Game trying to suppress "evidence" or manufacture a "story." Could it have been a thwarted alien abduction? Somewhat similar to the tales we used to hear about the aliens coming and taking cattle?

All stupidity aside - sure, it COULD have been a young mountain lion. An experienced hunter would not have failed. But no one was there and the horse cannot speak for itself. But tracks, markings, wounds, and signs do tell more than the suppositions running amuck. As one who is well aware of what a mountain lion can and cannot do, I would not say no but I would not say yes - unless I actually saw or had 100% proof positive. "

Hiker wrote on May 9, 2008 3:25 PM:

" http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/2752128/detail.html I have hiked many mountain miles and I follow animal stories. The stories are seldom totally accurate. It is one thing to say that only 13 people in California have been killed by mountain lions since 1890. It is another thing to say that the bounties on mountain lions ended in the 1960s and their have been 13 documented cases of people being killed by them since. Or saying that California passed a law protecting mountain lions in 1990 and most people killed or attacked have occurred since that date.
The storys reference to the San Diego attack on the mountain biker is incomplete. There were no such thing as a mountain biker going down firebreaks or anything else until mountain bikes were perfected. It would be like talking about surfers eaten by sharks in California before surfing became popular in (I think 1960s).
http://www.ocregister.com/news/lion-mountain-park-1947601-wilderness-january
Well documented attacks and problems can add up. I believe it was the attack on Laura Small age 5 that got a wilderness park closed to children after millons of dollars was paid out to rebuild her head and face. Adults had seen the mountain lion dragging her off by the head and threw sticks and stones until she was dropped.
So restricting hunting and restricting people from various national forest areas is becoming the norm in California. "

Deb wrote on May 9, 2008 3:08 PM:

" to "wrong again Deb" : nothing in your post proved me wrong. The odds are that, in ND, you are more likely to get bitten by a rattler than eaten by a mt lion.

have a great weekend! "

Wrong Again Deb wrote on May 9, 2008 2:08 PM:

" In the Teddy Roosevelt years all large animals were disappearing because of commercial hunting. Teddy made some changes. Commercial hunting was outlawed and sports hunting replaced it. A person could no longer hunt a deer and sell the meat and buckskin.
The money from selling the new sport hunting and fishing licenses paid/pays for game management. Basically Teddy told the rangers to rebuild the numbers of animals. Deer for example were almost extinct. So hunting fees and the bounty on predators were supposed to rebuild the numbers of large animals. They have done an excellent job.
So lets review where we are now and why the odds are changing.
Mountain Lions had been almost extinct on the east side of Rocky Mountains for a very long time.
Mountain Lions multiply as long as there is food available. They constantly push the young (teenagers in people years) out of the adults hunting area. There was a bounty on Mountain Lions for maybe 50 years until the 1960s. Since they have outlawed hunting in California (1970s ?) the procedure is to call the rangers when livestock attacked and they send out a professional hunter. Last I read the professional hunters hired in California kill more Mountain Lions each year than were ever killed by bounty system or by the sports hunting season.
The young mountain lions (that are pushed out of parents hunting territory) are not really good hunters yet and they can leave amateur wounds on farm animals. A large experienced male that has made hundreds of kills can break an elks neck quickly.
So were these scratches on this horse from the far more common wandering young inexperienced mountain lion. Any expert that says there will always be injuries on the neck is not an expert in my opinion.
And if a young mountain lion fails at taking a farm animal what is next? Any piece of meat walking around probably. When really hungry they will even hunt in daytime. Times are changing fast and nobody is an expert about tomorrow. "

lonewolf wrote on May 9, 2008 1:57 PM:

" are you sure it wasn't a lonewolf "

Online Editor wrote on May 9, 2008 1:42 PM:

" To HBIC: I think you are looking for this story:
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/05/09/news/local/doc48249a34aac02167203735.txt
"

REX wrote on May 9, 2008 12:38 PM:

" You know? I think it is a mental illness. When I lived in Minnesota the Fish and Game Dept. tried to tell us there were no wolves. Well there were. They were all over the place. I saw them in farm yards in broad daylight. I knew two guys who shot deer and found wolves on them before they could walk up. Livestock were attacked, pets, people could hear them outside after dark and had to keep pets and kids in. I lived just outside of the city limits and I saw one in my hayfield. A lot of guys I worked with hunted deer, I didn't, they also took out wolves at any opportunity. "

JW wrote on May 9, 2008 12:01 PM:

" "Tom" you were rude, and to tell the truth most are on this website. It's a shame when you have to be so politcally correct for fear of being slammed for stating an opinion or feeling. Its obvious that for the most part, most of the citizens of Bismarck and Mandan have become a bunch of rude obnxious self centered all about me residents. That have nothing else to do but find something to complain about because they feel that "someone owes them something". They don't know what, but dang it they do... And its always someones fault because we all know no one wants to take responsibility for something they did themselves. That is not the way I was raised. With Rights comes responsiblity and consequenses. I realize this has nothing to do with the horse and for that I apologize. "

dna wrote on May 9, 2008 11:22 AM:

" Why doesn't the horse owner try to get dna from the wounds? Perhaps the lion left something in them. Just a thought. It would be nice to be able to actually prove the game and fish wrong -rather than all of the bickering and arguing about it. They wouldn't be able to deny dna "

Gun totin fool wrote on May 9, 2008 11:02 AM:

" This story sure has generated a lot of debate. I'm amused by the "juniper tree" theory, to say the least. I just don't understand why the NDGF won't be realistic about the number of cats and their expanded range. You'd think they're UFO's or something. A couple years ago a good friend almost ran over one on 71st Ave near her home. NDGF didn't even bother checking the area for tracks or anything. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, ya know... "

Mary K wrote on May 9, 2008 10:16 AM:

" There's nothing wrong with mountain lions. Just process them like venison and make sausage. "

Captain Crunch wrote on May 9, 2008 10:12 AM:

" rr, What are you thinking? We can't shoot the tree. Shoot the mare for attacking the tree. "

the_truth_is_out_there wrote on May 9, 2008 9:43 AM:

" maybe the horse just fell down and got scraped up on some rocks. or maybe the owner is having his horse participate in the illeagal world of horse fighting. and his horse was the losing horse and he didn't know how to explain what happened so he blamed it on a "mountain lion" "

Walking K wrote on May 9, 2008 9:38 AM:

" The first bullet says lions do not "typically" hunt at that time of day/night. But the DO depending on circumstances and opportunity.
Why did it not go for the vulnerable foal? The other horse was probably farther away from the herd, therefore more convenient.
Why did it have injuries on the legs and belly? She was running scared for crying out loud!! She had just been attacked by a lion!!
G&F didn't find "scat" or other signs. Maybe they didn't look in the right places?
Anyone who knows horses knows they are not going to BACK into sharp objects until they pierce the flesh and rip into them. If there was a confrontation with another horse, they TURN AND RUN. Thus she would have had the worst injuries on the head, neck and shoulders. NDGF have been hiding info on these cats for many years. Why would they be open and hones about it now? "

hotheaded wrote on May 9, 2008 8:58 AM:

" What kind of mt lion dog does the G and F have? Why do they have a professional Mt. lion dog if there are no Mountain Lions? Seems odd. and like a waste of money... professional dog for tracking Mt lions must have cost a ton of money. I would challenge anybody to grab a phone book and call a rancher in the western part of the state and ask him how many lions he has on his property... then call the game and fish and ask them home many they think are out there... the stories will differ.... I will believe the the rancher everytime. you know how reliable the government is when it comes to telling the publice the truth.. lol "

rr wrote on May 9, 2008 8:53 AM:

" shoot the tree "

B in M wrote on May 9, 2008 8:52 AM:

" The cats were here first and we drove them away. Now they want their land back. We better hope the wolves and Bears don't team up with them, or nobody will be safe! "

kk wrote on May 9, 2008 8:51 AM:

" to SERIOUSLY~ I HAVE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH GFD ! and they sent out this young thing who barely knew her name and this is what she said~ "i followed the tracks to a tree and they disappeared so it is a dog"~ really?? a dog? how many dogs do you know that climb big cottonwoods? She told the neigbhor the same thing~ and guess what?! they found the lion by the elementary school and shot it!

SO MR SERIOUSLY~ maybe I am more of an expert than you are~I am not going to defend people who cannot do their jobs~

and honestly~ a juniper bush cutting up the horse?? C'[mon people~ it is a cat "

Just Curious wrote on May 9, 2008 8:51 AM:

" Hmm, Lots of silliness around here, on both sides.

No, I do not want lions near my kids, Also didn't know there was such a critter as an "african tiger" that I could hunt with a spear by day only to be the hunted at night.

Saw the footage of the wounds on the horse last night. From the footage I don't necessarily believe it was a lion. The cuts were random in severity and angles to each other. Haven't we all seen enough werewolf movies to know that a clawed paw will leave a series of scratches roughly parallel to each other?

As far as horses getting injured by trees, fences, etc? Yep, they do it all the time. It especially gets bad when the horses get into a scuffle with each other as they tend to run into trees and fences. Been there, seen that on several occassions.

Yet, I also agree with some of the criticism heaped on the NDGF with respect to lions (and wolves). Their reticence in admitting a population of them years ago leads to an inherent distrust of them in any future discussions on big predators. As an avid outdoorsman who grew up farming and ranching I have enough experience to be able to judge for myself the obvious with respect to this topic. Especially having seen a failed lion attack on an antelope in the badlands (the wounds looked nothing like what was on the horse) and at least two big cats in the badlands. FYI, also had cat tracks in my backyard on the north side of Bismarck a couple years ago. They stopped appearing about two weeks before the fella shot one up in Washburn. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not but I also didn't feel the need to call NDGF up to confirm the presence of a cat in my yard. I had enough evidence for myself. "

Facts wrote on May 9, 2008 8:48 AM:

" These mountain lions were here on this land before we were born. Since we are living in there home, we need to get along with them. "

dlj wrote on May 9, 2008 8:31 AM:

" After seeing the video on the news last night I have to agree that it was not a mountain lion. The horse did have some long deep scratches on it but they seemed to be single cuts and scratches. To me if a mountain lion was attacking an animal would'nt there be claw marks ? If a person with long fingernails raked a person across the face would there not be 3 or 4 scratches side by side. The same goes for a lion attacking something. Did this lion grab on with one or 2 claws?
I also have a hard time believing it was a juniper tree though. Those of you that think the Game and Fish are covering up something need to get a life. They contacted other states that frequently deal with lion attacks and they also said the marks are not consistant with a lion attack. Unless you think maybe this is a region wide cover up and the ND Game and Fish are paying off other states to go along with it. Hmmmmmm.. "

Bil wrote on May 9, 2008 8:06 AM:

" The G & F is a government agency. I for one dont trust any of them. They have prob been told from a higher power to down play all siteings to avoing panic. And being a gov agency they would have to listen or lose jobs and funding.. dont laugh.. stranger things have happend in our govnt. Excuse me . My child was just playing football in the back yard and ran to close to the Juniper tree again. I have to go. "

In a lot of Trouble wrote on May 9, 2008 7:53 AM:

" The tree attack on a horse is a lot scarier than an attack from a mountain lion! I would expect mountain lions to attack livestock just as wolves would. But this tree thing is a whole other story. If a tree can attack a horse to cause that kind of damage, what would those trees do to a human? Interesting! "

been there wrote on May 9, 2008 7:00 AM:

" I know a guy who's horse was attacked by some sort of cat in the same area. The game and fish told him it was wire cuts. The horse was in a one wire electric fence so that was ruled out by the owner. I am suprised the game and fish are admitting there are lions in the area. I think with the dry conditions these attacks are going to happen more often. "

REX wrote on May 9, 2008 6:52 AM:

" I carry a gun. "

Mom wrote on May 8, 2008 11:30 PM:

" the latest article says that there was horse hair below the juniper tree. Was there hair, blood, hide on the branches? If the tree is responsible for the injuries I would suspect there should be some evidence on the tree itself. "

Bismarck Barry wrote on May 8, 2008 10:33 PM:

" I guess we all need to lock ourselves in our houses because of all of these supposed mountain lions roaming the streets of Bismarck. Think about it - what gain is there for G&F to refute this mountain lion report. The only thing I saw out of this was a list of factual reasons why two agencies do not think it was a mountain lion attack. Do people think G&F gains a profit or something by showing reasons why this was not a lion attack? However, I urge posters to continue telling stories about how there are all kinds of mountain lions roaming and it's a government conspiracy. I find it quite entertaining. I'll be enjoying the outdoors while everyone else is paranoid and locks themselves inside and drinks the koolaid. "

mh wrote on May 8, 2008 9:36 PM:

" how short some of you peoples memory is. this is the same fish and frog that denied there were any cats here from the get go. until they opened season on them and like magic cats started getting harvested here. now we are supposed to beleive the killer bushes are attacking. "

kk wrote on May 8, 2008 9:35 PM:

" to SERIOUSLY PEOPLE~ GFD professional???? Give me a break! THey send out a young 22 year old with a camera and this is knowledgeable? You have got to be kidding! I bet if the cat jumped out at GFD they would take pictures and go back and look in books~ "

Bil.. wrote on May 8, 2008 9:28 PM:

" Why does everybody assume that the game and fish is right and the rancher is wrong...

Because the Game and Fish is so credible when it comes to telling the truth about Lions in the area... Talk to any rancher in the western part of the state... they will tell you that the G and F is seriously underestimating the number of Lions in the area... sort of reminds me of every othe government agency... always underestimating every early warning sign of a problem.. " we didnt know" "If only we would have seen the signs" NOPE.... ignore a problem until somebody dies.... thats the american way.... "

Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 9:20 PM:

" to "to Deb" : I would have NO PROBLEM going to McDowell Dam at any time of the day or night right now. WIth or without children. Stop working yourself into a froth - you are in no danger.

to "Wrong Again Deb" : here - the math - take the number of people in ND and the amount of Mt Lions we have here -- then do your odds. Heck, take the number of mt lions suspected here and multiply that by 10 - or 20 - then still do the odds. I'm still more afraid of skunks, snakes and porquipines (I'm totally not spelling that correctly) than I ever will be of lions in ND.

Punker: remember, I'm in sole possession of your dog this weekend. I won't hesitate to take her on a road trip to McDowell Dam. At dusk. Peace out, homeslice! "

seriously people wrote on May 8, 2008 8:48 PM:

" It appears most people here just want G&F to say what they want to hear regardless of what the evidence shows. Look at the evidence. A horse is injured but no one sees how. A rancher who probably has never even seen a mountain lion much less studied their behavior comes to the conclusion it must be a mountain lion. There are no tracks, scat, or mountain lion hairs found in the area. Tracking dogs are brought in and show no indication of mountain lion presence. The injuries to the animal are not consistent with injuries caused by mountain lion attacks. G&F consults experts in Utah who agree the injuries are not consistent with a mountain lion attack. Reports of freshly eaten deer carcasses are not true -a warden found one old rotting carcass in the pasture. Despite all that people thing G&F should just say yep it was a mountain lion. That would be the definition of irresponsible. They have confirmed kills in the past when the evidence shows it was a mountain lion. There is no reason to think they would do otherwise now. "

eddy wrote on May 8, 2008 8:08 PM:

" I can read the headlines now when a child is attacked.. "Well we had the warning signs and nothing was done about it" sort of like when anything happens in this country.. there are always warning signs and we always ignore them.. I am not ignoring this. . If you dont know ... dont shoot... but sure as heck dont call the game and fish about it.. they will just try to embarrass you and make you look stupid.. A JUNIPER TREE DID NOT ATTACK THESE HORSES!!! If they did then all Juniper Trees need to be taken out and shot.. wow... how stupid do they think people are... I sure hope the owner does have a news conference and shows pictures of the inuries... watch a film of a lion chasing a water buffalo... they attack the rear haunches and take the animal down.. after the animal is down they go after the throat... a horse is a quick animal and a the only way a lion will get to the throat is to suprise it. If the horse is running away how else would it get to the throat.. after it tackles it from behind and gets it to the ground. I am no expert but I have watched plenty of national geographic shows about lions attacking zebras and such.... and I have seen them attack from behind.. But then again ...I could be totally wrong.. I hope I am. "

Denial wrote on May 8, 2008 8:01 PM:

" It is funny but the game and fish always deny it is a mountain lion involved. A friend from hazen had pictures of a mountain lion at the edge of Hazen city limits and the Game and Fish denied it was a mountain lion. It so obvious it was laughable but they refused to acknowledge it. Now horses are being attacked by bushes. I have ridden horses through rough brush for as long as I can remember and never had more then a scratch on one. The scary part is that what probably attacked the horse was a young lion just honing it's skills. It is just a matter of time before a person is attacked here, and even then the Game and Fish will blame it on some junipers gone bad. "

Odds Maker wrote on May 8, 2008 7:59 PM:

" Something like a half a million people are treated in emergency rooms in this country every year from dog bites. How many from mountain lion attacks? People aren't very rational when it comes to assessing their actual risk. "

neighborhood watch wrote on May 8, 2008 7:50 PM:

" I was reading the lastest story and reason #1 as to why this could not have been a mountain lion is that cats attack at dawn, dusk, or at night. This attack happened between 3PM and 9PM. I haven't been out timing the sunset but I am guessing that dusk is somewhere around 8-9pm this time of year in ND. How is that a reason against the lion attack? It just seems to me that unless you have a picture of a cat they can't identify it. This happened in Mercer county for the last couple of years and the G&F was not able to confirm any signs until a guy with a motion camera in a tree stand had pictures and they were printed in the local paper. Then the G&F could identify that it was a nursing cub, still had stripes on it's neck. Well if there is a nursing cub, must be a mom around and had to be a dad at some time. Now it would seem reasonable that what the people of Mercer county were reporting were really mt. lions. It would be reasonable for the neighbors in this case to take precautions also, becuase we've all seen the governments expects be wrong a time or two in the past!! "

Tom wrote on May 8, 2008 7:28 PM:

" Oh my god!!! They are saying that a sharp Juniper tree is to blame for both horses and the two half eaten deer... Do they really think that people are that stupid??? I would rather have the public in a panic than to loose one of our children to a lion... this is the biggest example of government red tape I have ever heard of. A Juniper Tree tore the horses rear end apart and then went after the colt.. are you kidding me. Some thing needs to be done about this. I am asking the owner of the horse to please publish photos of the injury to the public. Or has be been told not to? let the public take a look at this and decide what they think. it is obvious that the game and fish cannot be trusted with this matter. "

Tom wrote on May 8, 2008 7:20 PM:

" to JW... not to be rude...but I have never read anything so stupid in my life.. We also moved onto native american ground 100s of years ago... into their territory. there is plenty of room for Big cats in other places.. they do not need to be feeding on our livestock or children. I cant believe the words I read on this post. defending a big cat. This is a community of "human beeings" what is more important here? my kids or some cat? I hate to say it but if one of your children are attacked will you still whistle the same tune.. I highly doubt it. "

Jason wrote on May 8, 2008 7:12 PM:

" What kills more people each year West Nile or Mountain Lion attacks? Maybe the Game and Fish should be blamed for not controlling mosquitoes or would that be unreasonable. "

Punker wrote on May 8, 2008 7:07 PM:

" When has Deb ever let mathematical facts (or facts in general) get in the way of one of her rants?!?! "

Amused wrote on May 8, 2008 7:06 PM:

" NEWSFLASH:
The experts have concured- It was not a Mountain Lion. The horse was attacked by a bush! Just thought ya'all should know. "

Bismarck Barry wrote on May 8, 2008 6:41 PM:

" It's interesting how many people are experts on mountain lions. Even though G&F (and USDA) biologists lists reason after reason about why this is most likely not a lion attack, our local blogger "experts" seem to know a lot more than them. If this happened 15 years ago there wouldn't have even been a thought about it being a lion attack. Now, if a dog is barking in the night, everyone gets paranoid and claims a lion is lurking around every corner. For those who "know for sure" that this was a lion attack, please go out and get the evidence since you are experts and know so much about mountain lions. "

Southpark wrote on May 8, 2008 6:33 PM:

" This does not surprise me. The game and fish will give any and all explanations before they actually admit that it was or could be a Mountain Lion. This happened a while ago north of Mandan. I was at the vet when a gentleman brought his mare in that had huge gaping wounds on her hind quarters. They were clearly consistant with the claws of a mountain lion and this mare had a foal. The vet was absolutely positive it was a mountain lion however the game and fish said all the same things they are saying here. That lions attack the neck and would go for the colt,not the mare.. well, guess what, its not rocket science. The mare is protecting her foal. Horses use their back ends to kick. She would turn her back to the lion to kick it away from her foal. The mountain lion would attack the rear end. I saw the wounds on that horse. There is no way they were done by a tree. Yes, perhaps attacks on people are rare however, if there is a lion in the area, we need to know about it so we can take extra precautions with our children and be more aware of it. For some crazy reason the game and fish simply won't admit to a mountain lion attack. any ideas on why that would be? "

Mom wrote on May 8, 2008 5:36 PM:

" to Grizzly Bear; so you don't think a mountain lion would venture near Bismarck? The one killed in New Salem last year was in the culvert in the road between the shopping center and vet's office and right next to the walking trail. That's as 'in' town as you can get. They will go wherever they want to go. I disagree that they are afraid of people. I've never heard that about them. A few years back about 16 miles northeast of Bismarck a horse got beat up pretty bad by something. The person who lived there heard a sound like a woman's scream that night that she said made her hair stand on end. G & F said they thought it was a pack of wild dogs that attacked it. Weird...I wonder where that pack of wild dogs ended up? "

Wrong again Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 5:06 PM:

" The odds of being killed or injured (many people are rescued by a friend) by a mountain lion, venomous snake, or a shark depend on more than taking the number of people in the world and dividing by number of known killed. Example, rattlesnakes hunt in the evening and nighttime when the mice are most active. They hibernate in winter so winter does not count when crunching numbers. Dogs and traffic help keep them out of the city. To be killed by a shark you must first swim in salt water. To be attacked by a mountain lion you must usually go where they are after dark alone. Then there are other factors like how their normal food source is doing and the health and desperation of the mountain lion. Young lions are constantly being pushed out of good hunting areas by the older ones and can get desperate.
So, Deb, if you will tell us what number of people walk alone at night in mountain lion habitat we can adjust the numbers a little. Sharks also mostly hunt at night, how many people swim at night. If you knew the number of chronic nighttime swimmers we might enlighten the subject. Lightening however can hit anywhere it wants. "

mom in mandan wrote on May 8, 2008 4:55 PM:

" While I lived in Omaha about 5 years ago. . . a mountain lion was "grazing" through my workplace's parking lot. (later to be tranquilized and brought to the zoo) My workplace was smack dab in the middle of the city, miles of buildings and homes in every direction. If we don't think that these animals will eventually make an appearance in the middle of one of our cities we are being very naive. "

Neighborhood watch wrote on May 8, 2008 4:52 PM:

" So who needs the G&F to tell them there is a mt. lion in the area? They are not the only ones in the state with a Biology degree. Let's rely on our neighbors and our own common sense. We don't wait for the fire dept. to tell us there is a fire, when our neighbor sees smoke and flames we take their word for it and react. Same deal here, if the neighbor says he had a horse attacked you can probably assume he is right. Most ranchers know what barb wire cuts look like and have better things to do than report an incident that wasn't serious. So if your neighbor says there was a cat attack, they are probably right, believe them. If neighbors have had a bunch of barn cats disappear and the dog won't come out from under the porch, then maybe there is another red flag to consider. If you used to have pheasants all over the ditches and in your back yard and now you never seem them and find tracks the size of paper plates maybe that is another sign. You can report to the G&F if you have the time and energy but don't assume they are always right...they do work for the government after all! "

timesRchanging wrote on May 8, 2008 4:46 PM:

" For those of you that dont have a problem with the mountian lions coming to this area of the country, then you should give your address out and they can put some cats in your back yard as bismarck itself did not exist many years ago and there were probably many different animals here then. I agree with all of the people that think they should exist in the wild and if they show up here they should be taken care of, humans are still first and animals second, no matter how you sum it up. This is just not right that an animal is put ahead of the safety of humans. I realize that they are magnificent creatures and predators, and that is exactly what they are predators. "

Grizzly Bear wrote on May 8, 2008 4:41 PM:

" It always amazes me how worked up people get about the game and fish dept. What do you want them to do? Maybe instead of hiring people with degrees in biology, natural resources managment, zoology ect... they should hire marines with 50 cal machine guns and hand grenades. If someone suspects a lion, they simply encircle the the area and shoot anything that moves till they find the lion. I suspect there would be a lot of dead cats and dogs. IF that was a mountain lion, why are the scratches horizontal and only one scratch in an area? If those "scratches" didn't need stitches it wasn't a lion. Don't lions have more than 1 claw? Also, a lion big enough to attack a horse that size, would also be smart enough to go for the throat, or possibly the smaller horse, not take on the biggest horse and bite it in the hind end. Lets stop the paranoia here people, a lion 2
miles from the truck stop, get real. As far as the "blood being on the game and fish's hands", does the dept of transportation get blamed for car accidents? Animals are wild animals, not game and fish pets. "

Yeahsure wrote on May 8, 2008 4:10 PM:

" Yes, humans finally make it to the top of the food chain and liberals want us to give it back to the lions, grizzly bears and wolves.
Some time back a nature program was pointing out that there were no people in Europe until the saber toothed tiger disappeared.
Only with dogs can a person hunt any of the big cats. Go take a spear and try to hunt an african tiger. It will watch you tracking it until the sun goes down. And then it would better not to be alone.
Certainly you jest about ranchers not knowing animals or animal tracks. Yes, you want to know about animals ask a city person who read a book. We have all seen the experts on television after other states have had mountain lion attacks. They never talk about mountain lions attacking mostly at night and from the rear clamping on neck or head. No, they begin by announcing "If You Are Confronted By a Mountain Lion stand tall and do not back down". Yes expert, there have been a few occasions where someone walked to close to where mama had her cubs hidden and was confronted. But to say not to back down. Wrong, she is going to protect her babies and her turf. "Back away do not turn and run is slowly becoming the more modern language". One tree marker (for lumber sales areas) did swing a branch and yell as he backed down in the Sierras about twenty years ago. The mountain lion continued to hiss and follow him until he got to his truck and made it inside.
Those people, adults and children who were killed by Mountain Lions did not see it coming.
The conclusion is that I have never seen a television interview with an expert who seemed to know anything about mountain lions in the wild. The professional hunters who hunt the problem lions in California seem to know more. "

Law wrote on May 8, 2008 4:09 PM:

" Food, the GF does not transplant lions into ND, never has and never will. The GF is controlling the deer through extended hunting opportunities no need to bring in another predator. I am pretty sure this was a mountain lion attack and I am sure the GF and USDA will confirm that once they investigate. The rancher did not see the attack or the animal so he is only speculating from the damage to his horse. We have lions in ND that is a fact and SD is full of them so there are going to be transient lions in our area at times. I saw one in 1986 south of Mandan. Haven't seen one since. "

our space wrote on May 8, 2008 3:38 PM:

" for those of you sticking up for the lions, with the old argument, "we invaded their space", are you crazy? The mountain lions are fairly new to the Bismarck area, so maybe they are invading our space. "

to Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Deb, would you feel comfortable spending the day at McDowell after hearing this? I would hope your answer would be no, for the sake of your children. The main concern is that there is 'something' going on, only 5 minutes from town....I am glad to at least hear this from a local guy, since NDGF doesn't seem to want the public to know. "

Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Rational & Still Worried: I can understand your concern, but you have to realize that the chance of your 6 year old being attacked by a mountain lion is statistically much less than getting struck by lightning or being bitten by a venomous snake.

We all have to live a little bit more carefully when we choose to live in the country. I'm much more worried about my family/dogs running into a skunk or a porcqupine than I am about them running into a lion. I just try to live by the motto "they are more afraid of you than you are of them" but with an added healthy dose of "don't be stupid." Maybe now that you know a lion might be living an 1/8 mile from you - don't let your 6 year old play alone outside anymore. I don't know the answer - it's just common sense it seems. "

jw wrote on May 8, 2008 2:46 PM:

" Thank you to "The Truth" you could not have said it any better..

"

Food wrote on May 8, 2008 2:46 PM:

" I think they should shoot the mountain lion and eat it...have a bar-b-que,....YUMMMMM....By the way..ANybody ever think the game and fish brought them here to control the deer population? I thought I would throw that out there since i was at a gas station in Minot a year ago and a game and fish truck was there with cats in it headed toward Bismarck.. "

Rational And Still Worried wrote on May 8, 2008 2:30 PM:

" jw and deb: All easy to say when it's not your 6-year old who plays outside alone 1/8 mile from where this all took place. Yes - further investigation is warranted - but in the meantime, G&F needs to call a spade a spade. Confirmed lion sightings have cropped up all over the state and as a Mom I choose to assume - at least for the time being - that this will be another. If that categorizes me as "wigged out" or "paranoid" so be it. "

jb to Dur wrote on May 8, 2008 2:03 PM:

" You sound like you could work for the G&F real well. Where do you and G&F get the idea that a rancher wouldn't know what a mountain lion looks like? The comment that the rancher should stick to what he knows - horses, shame on you. What kind of snob are you anyway? The G&F are not the only people with the intellect to know what an animal looks or acts like. G&F thinks that it isn't a mountain lion unless they say it is and they are very rude in the manner in which they address the people that realize a sighting. G&F (& you) would do well not to insult everyone's intelligence. "

kk wrote on May 8, 2008 1:42 PM:

" I think we all agree about life in the wild out in the country BUT what we are saying is that NGD has a very lousy way of responding "

The Truth wrote on May 8, 2008 1:28 PM:

" The Funny thing in all of this is we are so quick to make the mountain lion a evil beast. It was doing what it does to survive. The fact that there is more cats around bismarck is probly having to do with the drought we are in the cats will range out for food and water sources. Animals cant just go to Dan's and pick out a steak and a bottle of soda for supper. That is why the game and fish has established an unlimited hunting season outside the cats natural range. The G& F is doing everything it can to control a population that needs to be studied more. Look at the cat that was killed near New Salem it was near a walking path. Truth is most wild animals fear man why because we are the top of the food chain. People need to calm down and realize that the Game and Fish does what it can for having the 2nd smallest department in the country. "

Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 1:22 PM:

" jw: exactly!! "

jw wrote on May 8, 2008 1:17 PM:

" I think those of us that moved into the country need to realize one thing, We moved into their territory, not the other way around. When I moved out in the country I am not ignorant enough to realize that I won't see wildlife in my yard like "Catkiller" is coming across. Is that not why most of us moved out there. The quiet, beautiful sunsets and the ability to wake up and see the deer, pheasants and anything else strolling through my yard. Its a part of Mother Nature, you move in the country you will see nature.. You need to be prepared for that and keep your dogs in kennels or in doors at night. Watch where your children are, is that not a part of parenting? If you have horses or livestock, keep a watch on them. They are your responsibility. Don't make this the problem of anyone else. "

worried to be eaten wrote on May 8, 2008 12:52 PM:

" where did all of these mountain lions come from? This is insane, did they just all of a sudden appear a few years ago, I think other things should be investigated and resolve the issue before a person gets attacked and killed. Not GOOD "

BigCat wrote on May 8, 2008 11:58 AM:

" I contacted Game & Fish years ago about tracks near our home. They were not interested, they denied there were big cats in the area. The tracks were the size of a paper plate, round with no claw marks. On the phone, Game & Fish said it was probably a housecat, dog or coyote, they were not interested. I think they train there employees to deny, deny & deny. You say, but what about the tracks, claw marks, ect., they say; what claw marks, tracks, ect... I have No faith in the Game & Fish Dept. regarding mountain lions or wolves. "

M. Night Shymalan wrote on May 8, 2008 11:53 AM:

" You guys ever seen that movie "The Village"? This is a lot like that.

"Don't go beyond the border, or a big scary monster will eat you!"

Then some brave soul decides to venture out and...nothing. "

Dur wrote on May 8, 2008 11:51 AM:

" The quotes used in this story are journalistically irresponsible. All of the "information" about the nature of mountain lions comes from this rancher, who has never even seen one, let alone dealt with one. The comparison to alligators, especially, was ridiculous. Let's let something with some credentials speak on the subject please, Tribune, and keep the rancher's printed quotes to something he knows, like horses. "

Deb wrote on May 8, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Let's not get carried away here, folks. I for one am glad that NDGFD and USDA are taking their time and really examining the evidence. Would you rather they just jumped to conclusions and got the public in a froth over the fact that mountain lions are living among us? Seriously people - the odds of a lion attack on a human are so small that it's laughable that everyone is getting their guns out and posturing. Let's get all the facts straight - figure out what the actual population is -have a hunting season and live with the rest of the lions as part of our ecosystem. You already have the right to protect your property & families, so I really don't see the problem here. "

Poor Kitty wrote on May 8, 2008 11:42 AM:

" Please, someone feel sorry for the poor mountain lion. Its job is to follow herds and pick out the sick or weak ones. Then it waits until the sun goes down so it has the advantage of night vision. Then, so not to traumatize the sick or weak animal it sneaks up behind it and leaps on its back biting the neck with fangs while hanging on with claws.
Visualize the poor mountain lion that had been watching that horse limp all day, waiting for the sun to go down. Then the horse turned out to be too healthy and it had to go sneak up on a deer. It might have been watching a kid out playing but then kid went inside to eat supper before the sun went down. So it had to switch to a horse, then a deer. Sometimes life is full of disappointments when you are trying to plan an after dark meal. "

Sk wrote on May 8, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Wow, you are calling GnF irresponsible, yet you are requesting that they say something definitive before conducting an investigation. Let them tell you what the yfind before you prosecute them. When they release their findings and you still don't agree with them, then you can complain, but complaining about something someone has not even done/said yet, now THATS irresponsible. Sounds like you guys just want a good ole' witch hunt...Good luck with that. I for one am glad that the proper steps are being taken before speculation is spewed from public officials. "

Defense wrote on May 8, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Please, give the G&F a bit more credit, they have a job to do, they have policies that they must abide by set forth by the people that YOU ELECT in to office. Although the director is not directly elected - the person that this state votes on for Governor is directly responsible for appointing the director to the G&F and so you are responsible for who is running the G&F. "

Gun totin fool wrote on May 8, 2008 11:01 AM:

" Yeah, they're "not sure" if it was a mountain lion yet. WHAT? I suppose it COULD have been a pterodactyl, right? I'd really like to know why it is that unless you A) wear a badge, or B) produce a carcass, you did NOT see a mountain lion. The cats have obviously expanded their range. Why is it so hard to admit? I doubt there would be a total public panic if we were to get the straight scoop instead of double talk. "

proud redneck wrote on May 8, 2008 10:58 AM:

" I spotted a young mountain lion last week in my pasture SW of Mandan. He got away before i could get a good shot. Next time i will be ready! "

Catkiller wrote on May 8, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Show the pics of tracks to the public, show pics of the horse and the cold and the two half eaten deer in this guys pasture.. .let the public decide. I wish the ND game and fish had elected people running it.. Something needs to be done about this. WE DONT WANT MT. LIONS IN OUR BACKYARD!!!!!!! can I spell it any more clearly for you??? I dont care if they are pretty and majestic.. They can be Pretty and Majestic in the mountains or someplace else... I sure know what I would do.. I don't care what the law says about it.. My job as a husband and a father is to take care of my family and to ensure their safety. not to take care of some feline. All cats are evil... I do believe they are one of the only animals that play with their food before they eat it. "

jb wrote on May 8, 2008 10:30 AM:

" Every report I have ever read concerning a mountain lion, the NDGFD's posture is arrogant and demeaning toward the general public. Why does Kreil and his associates get the opinion they are the only ones that know anything when it comes to a wild animal. The majority of the public is knowledge and intelligent and quite possibly know what a mountain lion and their 'signs' look like.
It would be good PR for their dept if they would quit acting so superior.
"

Mom wrote on May 8, 2008 9:42 AM:

" I live NE of Bmk (about 4 mi from McDowell) and a mt. lion was spotted around here about three weeks ago. I saw the tracks myself and I know it was reported to game and fish. Also found deer carcasses in the area. Why does G&F say they haven't heard of any reports in the area. I know they did. "

Defense wrote on May 8, 2008 9:35 AM:

" I agree that the G&F needs to be a little more forthcoming with information, but to their defense, they cannot confirm something that they didn't actually see without some hard evidence. As a horse owner within a couple miles "as the crow flies" of this guy, I fear for my animals - but, if the G&F comes out and says it's a lion, everyone will panic and start shooting things that go bump in the night. "

PO wrote on May 8, 2008 9:32 AM:

" Some day someone here in Bismarck will run into one of those lions on the more isolated parts of our bike trails. People need to watch their children closer when hiking or walkiing either on these trails or out in the country. These big cats are true predators and behave accordingly. "

To ROnny and Tom wrote on May 8, 2008 9:31 AM:

" Why do you think G&F will deny it was a lion, and what do you suggest they do differently than they are now? Easy to whine and criticize without proposing a solution. "

kk wrote on May 8, 2008 9:16 AM:

" Game and Fish will definitely say it was a coyote or a dog~ just like they came out to our area and told us"well we followed the tracks to the tree and then they disappeared so it was a dog" how many dogs do you know that climb trees?! And they need to "look in a book" for pictures~ please~ hire some people with knowledge not just college graduates who think they know~ "

CK wrote on May 8, 2008 9:14 AM:

" I can see that guy's house from my house, so I'm hesitant to even take my dog outside. Gotta get myself a gun!

I don't know how Game and Fish could deny the attack especially when mountain lions have been spotted south of Apple Creek. "

Tom wrote on May 8, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I love how the headline states that the owner thinks it was a mt lion.. what else would it be? a bear. a 200 pound coyote? a neighbor dog? take a look at the animal.. show some pictures of it. let the public be informed instead of acting like it is no big deal.... this took place 2.5 miles from oasis truck stop as the lion flies.

If a child or person is hurt . the blood will be on the game and fish depts hands. will they admit there is a problem then? "

ROnny wrote on May 8, 2008 8:02 AM:

" I guarantee the Game and Fish will say it was a coyote or another horse that did the damage. "

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