http://www.carmitimes.com/features/x917960481/Cougars-in-southern-Illinois-Probably-says-Gurka

Amen.......

They are here!!

A guy I deer hunt on off 127 south of M'boro said some guys hunt across from him. Anyway they found a deer carcass and decided to put a cam on it. Well they forgot to turn the camera on so they went back to turn it on and the deer was covered with leaves. When they went back to check the cam they had a pick of the big cat and the deer was gone. My brother in law reported seeing one on landfill road by DuQuoin to a CPO. He said it came running through someones yard. He hunts alot and definitely knows the difference between bobcat and a cougar. CPO told him he should have shot it.:)

Still waiting for some hard evidence ... Get them trail cams out!

And if someone has a photo ... lets see it.

I have had active CPO's tell me they are here. I saw one north of Murphysboro a few years ago along Truax Trauer rd., about 10 pm and no camera or gun in the truck.

HMMM, all those hunters out there deer hunting and all those cameras out there nowadays and noone has shot one or got a good photo. hhmmmmm. Not saying there isn't one around but you all that think there is a whole village of them must be hittin the corn liquor.:D

I went outside in the beginning of november. We have property just off the Williamson County Airport. We heard a loud cat like cry, and went outside with a spotlight, and there one was. Last weekend we were grilling outside in Crenshaw, and there was a group of deer. All of a sudden they take off running, and behind it was about a 80-100 pound big cat. Kinda funny too, my preacher spotted one twice east of marion, and called his law enforcement buddy, because there are little kids that live around there. The next day, the national wildlife enforcers were at the property, and it hasn't been seen since.. This is very scary to know that they are becoming this relevant. I just hope we get a definite answer, rather than our government hiding it, because sooner or later one will attack.

You guys locate a print or anything at all seeing that you saw where it was running and placing weighted prints etc?

Sorry man, no offense, I am from the "Show Me State"

I'm not saying they aren't here, because I do believe that maybe a cat passes through once in awhile... but really ALL these claims and no evidence, give it a break people. Until you have hard proof, why even bother.

I remember as a kid the IDNR rejected claims there were Bobcats in IL, then they were asking when you check in a deer if you saw any Bobcats, then they say they are here. All in the course of two years.

A guy I deer hunt on off 127 south of M'boro said some guys hunt across from him. Anyway they found a deer carcass and decided to put a cam on it. Well they forgot to turn the camera on so they went back to turn it on and the deer was covered with leaves. When they went back to check the cam they had a pick of the big cat and the deer was gone. My brother in law reported seeing one on landfill road by DuQuoin to a CPO. He said it came running through someones yard. He hunts alot and definitely knows the difference between bobcat and a cougar. CPO told him he should have shot it.:)
Post the pics!

My brother-in-law works with a guy that captured a mtn lion bring down a deer on his tree cam between Smithton and Belleville.
I'll see him tomorrow at his mothers house for Christmas and I'll turn him on to this site to have the guy post pics.
We'll find out if it's talk or something to it!

Here's a pic that showed up on facebook the other day. Obviously not in Illinois, but still a neat picture. Supposed to be self-taken with a timer. I don't know if it is new, old, photoshop, someone's pet or the real deal, but kinda gives you the "willies", don't it.
http://www.siloutdoors.com/imagehosting/16884ef3d1f568572.jpg

The hunter did all the work for the big cat....LOL

The answer.

slightly modified (http://www.snopes.com/photos/hunting/stalking.asp)

Yeah, I saw that right off...

The answer.

slightly modified (http://www.snopes.com/photos/hunting/stalking.asp)


Figured that was probably the case or it would have been spread all over the 'net, but it still gives me goosebumps. :D

I have been wondering if there are any around Carlyle Lake in Clinton County. I have heard what sounds like a woman screaming bloody murder in the middle of the night for about a week and a half now. I know we have bobcats, but this just doesn't sound like a bobcat ( I have heard them before ). I didn't not believe the rumors until I heard this sound myself. We have put up 3 trail cameras and have not seen anything. But of course by time I talked my fiance into putting the cameras up, well I haven't heard them since. At least he finally heard this "woman screaming" sound and he is stumped as to what it would be. It is a bone chilling scream that will make your hair stand up! If someone would please come up with some pics or proof, at least I would know that I am not imagining all of this. I may not have solid proof, but I know what I heard and at least several hunters in the family finally heard it too. And no guys, I am not some crazy woman! LOL

I have been wondering if there are any around Carlyle Lake in Clinton County. I have heard what sounds like a woman screaming bloody murder in the middle of the night for about a week and a half now. I know we have bobcats, but this just doesn't sound like a bobcat ( I have heard them before ). I didn't not believe the rumors until I heard this sound myself. We have put up 3 trail cameras and have not seen anything. But of course by time I talked my fiance into putting the cameras up, well I haven't heard them since. At least he finally heard this "woman screaming" sound and he is stumped as to what it would be. It is a bone chilling scream that will make your hair stand up! If someone would please come up with some pics or proof, at least I would know that I am not imagining all of this. I may not have solid proof, but I know what I heard and at least several hunters in the family finally heard it too. And no guys, I am not some crazy woman! LOL

Barred Owl breeding season.

I know its difficult to describe a scream but I have heard some odd sounds before and worked hard to determine what they are. Some of the noises were difficult to believe that the animal making the noise could actually make it.

Here is some examples of noises that will stand the hair on the back of your neck.

Fox - Vixen's Scream is one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6NuhlibHsM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk1mAd77Hr4&feature=related

Raccoons can make some really loud screams also.

We have heard a noise that sounds like a dying rabbit but can't figure out what is making it. We know its not a dying rabbit because there would have had to be at least a dozen dead ones by now.

Excellent stuff Debunk, lots of critters make odd sounds that add to the folklore.

Thanks Debunk! I knew it wasn't an owl. lol I have lived near thick woods my entire life and that just didn't add up. But the screams of the fox do sound very close to what I heard. It quite possibly could be what I heard. It is the closest sound I have heard when listening to sound clip. But it also does sound like a cougar. I know it makes more sense that it is a fox and I sure hope that is what it is. Thank you for taking the time to find good sound clips. It sure is interesting the sounds that some of these animals can make. Hope you can find out what is making the sounds by you. If you do figure it out you will have to let us know. Thanks again! :)

Thanks Debunk! I knew it wasn't an owl. lol I have lived near thick woods my entire life and that just didn't add up. But the screams of the fox do sound very close to what I heard. It quite possibly could be what I heard. It is the closest sound I have heard when listening to sound clip. But it also does sound like a cougar. I know it makes more sense that it is a fox and I sure hope that is what it is. Thank you for taking the time to find good sound clips. It sure is interesting the sounds that some of these animals can make. Hope you can find out what is making the sounds by you. If you do figure it out you will have to let us know. Thanks again! :)

Cc gal, if I come across a cougar staring at me like a plate of mash taters and gravy while hiking around Carlyle you'll hear another scream.......that would be ME! :D

+1..... And it will be followed by:

Oh Lord.. Plase forgive me for being a nay-sayer/ doubter--- please help me Lord...!!!!

Thanks Debunk! I knew it wasn't an owl. lol I have lived near thick woods my entire life and that just didn't add up. But the screams of the fox do sound very close to what I heard. It quite possibly could be what I heard. It is the closest sound I have heard when listening to sound clip. But it also does sound like a cougar. I know it makes more sense that it is a fox and I sure hope that is what it is. Thank you for taking the time to find good sound clips. It sure is interesting the sounds that some of these animals can make. Hope you can find out what is making the sounds by you. If you do figure it out you will have to let us know. Thanks again! :)

I had a fox scream right behind me one cold frosty night while I was critter calling, that was a bad rush to say the least...:eek: I used to hear cougars scream almost every night when I was a lad when we lived near Lusk creek in Pope county. Cougars sound more like a woman screaming though, it would always make the hair stand up on the back of my neck...If one screams close to you some fine night you won't have any trouble figuring out what it was...:)

I had a fox scream right behind me one cold frosty night while I was critter calling, that was a bad rush to say the least...:eek: I used to hear cougars scream almost every night when I was a lad when we lived near Lusk creek in Pope county. Cougars sound more like a woman screaming though, it would always make the hair stand up on the back of my neck...If one screams close to you some fine night you won't have any trouble figuring out what it was...:)

You sure it wasn't a Peacock?:D

Peacocks don't make hardened hunting dogs come back to you with their tails between their legs...:eek:

A long time ago back in PA Madadam and I were on top of a mountain, miles from anyone or anyplace, truck camping on a powerline in a hurricane. (yes it was a bonafide hurricane, we've camped though many... if you need rain invite us camping) anyway huddled up in the back of the truck we heard the most scary thing I've ever heard come outta those woods, and there was no way in hell I was gonna go see what was making it...

Peacocks don't make hardened hunting dogs come back to you with their tails between their legs...:eek:

Hardened hunting dogs wouldn't back off from a fight with a cat either.:eek:

I can personally attest that if rain is needed just go camping with Bob and MadadaM - it is curse that folows them wherever they go.. I think I have only been on one camping journey with them that was not beset with torrential downpours!