Cougars used to be native to the Tennessee mountain region, where they were known as panthers - - often pronounced "painters" in the mountain dialect. I remember reading a National Geographic article from the 1960's about Cades Cove (in what is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park) with references to "painters" attacking people, and that messed up my 10-year old mind until I realized they were speaking of panthers.
Also got wild pigs now all over West TN. Add that to the list of critters including coyote, bobcat, rattle snakes, copperheads, scorpions, black widows, brown recluse, wild pigs, bears,and now gators and panthers. On the panther note they're have been confirmed sightings in west TN as far back as like 2010 or so.
I have lived in TN most of my life. Middle Tn Crossville for years the TWRA has denied panthers lived in the area, People have posted them over the years since game cameras came out and became very popular way to watch your hunting spots and protect property using them without spending tons of money on video surveillance equipment. Alligators have been in Tn for years they deny this saying well someone has released a pet into the wild. A 5 foot gator killed by the local game warden in Watts bar lake about 10 12 years ago was said to be a pet released into the wild. They have slowly made their way into Tn from Ga and SC. Wild hogs have been here since the 1800's brought here by settlers, everyone was in denial as well until they started showing up all over east, middle and west TN destroying crops and causing havoc. I actually saw a yellow cougar in the smokeys between Townsend and Gatlinburg ran across the road in front of us.
That plateau area around Crossville is pretty country. There’s a little community called Grassy Cove on Highway 68 just between Crossville and Spring City that is one of the prettiest places on God’s green earth.
You got the right food, you get critters. For years wildlife people in NE Texas denied any mountain lions were there until a farmer in Smith County shot one and delivered it for identification.
Cougars used to be native to the Tennessee mountain region, where they were known as panthers - - often pronounced "painters" in the mountain dialect. I remember reading a National Geographic article from the 1960's about Cades Cove (in what is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park) with references to "painters" attacking people, and that messed up my 10-year old mind until I realized they were speaking of panthers.
ReplyDeleteHey! It us either us or Californians! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, come on up then!
DeleteAlso got wild pigs now all over West TN. Add that to the list of critters including coyote, bobcat, rattle snakes, copperheads, scorpions, black widows, brown recluse, wild pigs, bears,and now gators and panthers.
ReplyDeleteOn the panther note they're have been confirmed sightings in west TN as far back as like 2010 or so.
[rocketride]
ReplyDeleteYou guys will be Australia before you know it.
Can't wait to see the 'meth gator' vs. 'salty' death matches.
I have lived in TN most of my life. Middle Tn Crossville for years the TWRA has denied panthers lived in the area, People have posted them over the years since game cameras came out and became very popular way to watch your hunting spots and protect property using them without spending tons of money on video surveillance equipment. Alligators have been in Tn for years they deny this saying well someone has released a pet into the wild. A 5 foot gator killed by the local game warden in Watts bar lake about 10 12 years ago was said to be a pet released into the wild. They have slowly made their way into Tn from Ga and SC. Wild hogs have been here since the 1800's brought here by settlers, everyone was in denial as well until they started showing up all over east, middle and west TN destroying crops and causing havoc. I actually saw a yellow cougar in the smokeys between Townsend and Gatlinburg ran across the road in front of us.
ReplyDeleteThat plateau area around Crossville is pretty country. There’s a little community called Grassy Cove on Highway 68 just between Crossville and Spring City that is one of the prettiest places on God’s green earth.
DeleteAnd up here north of the Cumberland, I have yet to see a wild hog or even any sign of hogs.
ReplyDeleteYou got the right food, you get critters. For years wildlife people in NE Texas denied any mountain lions were there until a farmer in Smith County shot one and delivered it for identification.
ReplyDelete