![]() ![]() Instead, some people will go out of their way to “control” predator populations if there’s any hint that a mountain lion was in the area. These reactive efforts tend not to inspire thoughtful protections like making property uninviting for wildlife or learning tolerance. Some of this narrative evolves into fear-mongering, which in turn promotes “public safety” efforts. When a puma is reported to the authorities, word spreads quickly. Making a mistake when identifying mountain lions has a much greater impact than just confusion. For this reason, we need to remember to give them space and show them respect – not fear. Our expansion fragments their habitats, and pumas have little choice but to cross paths with humans. We encroach on their habitats and recreate in their territories. That’s how your imagination could conjure an apex predator, when in reality, it was just your neighbor’s friendly labrador.īut because of urban sprawl, there really are more encounters with humans and mountain lions. In this mindset, adrenaline can warp your perception, making dangers look bigger and more intimidating than they actually are. If you were out hiking and saw a large animal, or saw the shadow of something big right outside your home, you might feel frightened. One of the biggest reasons people make this error is simply fear. Bobcats, large dogs, deer, and even house cats can be confused for cougars – and all of those animals are much more common. ![]() Under certain conditions, pumas can look like other animals. If the videos are unclear and they’re hard to spot, why, then, are people seeing mountain lions at all? And because mountain lions are such secretive animals, they’re often very far away when viewed with the naked eye. Security footage and nighttime trailcam videos are notoriously grainy, too, so it can be hard to be sure what you’re seeing at all. This is backed up by the Bay Area Puma Project’s sighting map, where there’s only a sprinkling of probable and confirmed pumas among the unverified sightings. Some of this footage truly does feature mountain lions, but The Mountain Lion Foundation estimates that up to 90% of these sightings are false alarms. With the increased use of home security cameras like Nest or Ring, people are picking up more and more wildlife on film. Treating puma sightings with skepticism and learning the difference between lookalikes is the first line of defense when protecting this crucial species. Human-puma conflict puts the puma population in danger, raises the odds of negative interaction, and can eventually damage our fragile ecosystem. When animals are mis-identified as mountain lions (aka pumas, cougars, or panthers), there’s an increased chance of conflict when we seek out these animals either out of curiosity, fear, or means of control. And incorrect identification can lead to some serious ramifications. Reported mountain lion sightings are on the rise, but more often than not, it’s a case of mistaken identity. Then again if you "use or employ" a call and shoot a cougar you may be breaking a law without any consideration of what your "intent" was.Īs always, a call to Edmonton Fish & Wildlife to the fellow who deals with all regulations questions would be the best way to get "HIS FINAL ANSWER".Īlright, Cause ya me and the dad were talking about going wolf hunting and then If a cougar came in and we shot it (with a tag) if we would be breaking the law or not.Amazing! You just saw a mountain lion on your security camera! It may be pretty hard for you to prove your intent was to hunt wolves. ![]() Often with a "game law" the "intent" has to be sorted out. Recorded wildlife calls or sounds, or an electronically operated calling device except 1) when hunting migratory game birds with the use of calls or sounds that mimic snow geese and the hunting does not occur with the use of decoys that mimic migratory game birds other than snow geese, and 2) using electronic calls can be used to hunt crows, magpies, coyote, red fox and wolf (using sounds that mimic these animals or rodents). Set out, use or employ any of the following items for the purpose of hunting any wildlife:
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