Cougars and Bears – Oh My!
I’ve written before about seeing big cats in North-Eastern Oklahoma. But if you ask the normal, every day person, they’ll likely laugh at you or think that you’re crazy. And if you’re brave enough to say that you’ve seen a bear, prepare for an even bigger laugh. But it’s true.
The thing is that those people that don’t spend a great deal of time outdoors aren’t ever going to see them. When you spend as much time outdoors as hunters normally do, you’re a lot more likely to see some of these elusive animals.
I was recently talking to my Mom, and she was telling me that a lot of the deer hunting around there had been shot due to a cougar that was passing through deciding to hang around. And just across the river, where a friend’s husband and kids hunt, have had the same problem. Added to that, they’ve even spotted a bear a few times.
It really isn’t surprising that these animals are there. Arkansas and Missouri are less than two hours away, and you’re likely to find both there. That they would cross the border and head to Northern Oklahoma instead of South-Eastern Oklahoma isn’t a surprise.
I bet in a few years, many more sightings are going to be made. And the people who would be laughing at the possibility are going to be in for quite a shock. Who knows, though, they may still like to pretend they had to escape from a zoo or animal sanctuary.
hunting, hunting sense, cougars, bears, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:09 am
There is a big debate going on in Michigan about whether there are cougars or not. I’m leaning towards that they are here, although speculation and DNR denial will keep people guessing!