As told in part one of this story, we awoke the other morning to discover that our four-month old filly had been attacked by a cougar the night before. Though still alive, the poor little horse was doomed by her massive wounds and loss of blood so it was left to me to end her suffering which I did with one well placed bullet, but the story does not end there. Our next job was contacting the Missouri Conservation dept. and inform them of this predator attack.
When we arrived at the local Conservation office I received another shock. When we spoke to a ranger and told him our story we were met with a large dose of skepticism….he didn’t believe us.
“Oh we get reports like this all the time and they turn out to be dog attacks or even bobcats.” He told us with some confidence.
I was already upset and this attitude just set me off. “Look,” I told him, “Would you just have a Game Warden come out and inspect the body?”
He gave an almost audible sigh but agreed to give him a call. He reached the game warden and had him on speaker phone so we could repeat our story to him. The warden sounded as skeptical as the ranger but said he would come to the ranch later and check it out.
Between the time we left there and the Game Warden showing up at our house, we did some calling and talking to other ranchers in the area and were shocked to learn that in the past week there had been at least four attacks in the area that resulted in the death of livestock, yet no action was taken by the Conservation department to let people know of the danger to their stock.
The Warden showed up and as soon as he climbed out of his truck he started telling us that these attacks were probably just from dogs.
I bit my tongue and tried to remain respectful as I told him. “Sir, just save the dog talk until after you see the wounds. Then, if you can tell me what kind of dog does that to a horse, I might believe you.”
The remainder of the walk to the body was silent. When we arrived, the warden walked around the body, staring at the grisly wounds silently, his eyes wide in surprise.
“I see what you mean.” He said quietly.
“I thought you might.” I replied.
The wildlife biologist had told him to remove the skin around the wounds and measure and examine them and take pictures. He also told the warden that if it were a big cat the bite marks would have to measure at least 2.5 inches between fangs. If it weren’t that big, then it was no cat and he was certain that it wasn’t.
We took the measurements. They measured THREE inches between the fangs.
“Still skeptical?” I asked the game warden.
“Uh…..NO.” His reply was emphatic.
After warning me that if the cat came back and I killed it, he had to be notified within twenty-four hours and he had to take custody of the body, he climbed back into his truck. Before he left he half-heartedly tried to convince me to mount cameras and just get pictures of the cat. I respectfully declined. If the cat came back, he was mine.
That night I choose a good spot, close to the body of the colt and I waited. The dark night was faintly lit by a weak moon that cast shadows on the edge of the forest….a forest from which my enemy would come, hopefully, to claim his prize. As I sat in the darkness, gun resting across my knees, I scanned the surrounding forest and thought back to the many times in my past that I had done this same thing and waited for human enemies to show themselves. I started to slip back into that time; my senses heightened, breathing controlled and measured….I waited.
The cat did not come back that night and now I know that this contest between me and him is going to be a long one. He is an apex predator and he will not let himself be ambushed easily, but that’s okay….I’m a patient hunter….I can wait. Now I patrol the forest nightly looking for his sign and I make plans for using predator calls to bring him in and even baiting an ambush with a live goat. If it goes on until the first snow fall I will have the advantage of being able to track him…I can find his lair.
The weight of guilt I feel at not being able to protect my herd is heavy. Protecting our animals is a profound responsibility shared by all ranchers and I failed to do it. These past few days I feel like I am becoming obsessed with my need to kill this big cat. It is as if I am becoming Ahab and the cougar my great white whale.
Be that as it may…..I will continue to hunt him until he is dead and that is the reality of a side of ranch life some might not fully understand.
The predator.....and my prey....
　
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Comments
I am impressed that you have the courage to take on a night time confrontation with a creature having a three inch bite, but I understand why you are doing it. You have the opportunity to avenge the harm to one of your own and the need to protect the rest of your ladies. My heart goes out especially to your wife; she must be torn between urging you on and fear for your safety. My thoughts are with you both.
Rated for excellent imagery and superb storytelling.
I am so sorry you and Mel are going through this.
Good luck. I am sure he is lurking out there~
I've always loved your writing, your attitude and everything you put out there for us to enjoy. I am struggling with this post though. I have such a hard time with the concept that we must eradicate anything natural that gets in our way or doesn't behave the way we want it to. You hit me right between the eyes with 'some might not fully understand'. I guess I understand, I just don't like it. But please know I have respect for you and what you are trying to do on your ranch.
Sorry again for your loss.
Kim....Thank you for those kind words, my friend. I just hope I get him before he strikes the ranch again, I can't afford the loss of another animal.
heidibeth....Thank you my dear but I believe anyone who lives the ranch life would just naturally do what I am doing. It is not a case of "want to" but more of "have to".
Christine....I have had a bit of experience dealing with government burecrats, besides I knew when he got a first hand look he would be busy eating his words.
rosycheeks...It is not so much a matter of courage as it is knowing the predator and knowing your weapon. I will admit though that this lifestyle is one that takes some getting use to for many.
Susie....I use a predator call which mimics the cry of an injured rabbit. I also had to start using uncented soap to shower with besides using a masking agent for my clothes.
desert_rat....I completely understand the trouble you are having with the subject I've written about. I am not sure I am capable of explaining it in a matter that you will understand and you are indeed one of those I had in mind when I wrote that some might not understand. It is not a case of killing an animal because they don't act the way we want them or because they get in my way. It is simply the fact that the cat is acting exactly the way he is supposed to act....he is a predator and he kills and I have no problem with that. What I do have though is a very real responsibility to protect animals I raise. I will not leave my property to hunt him down even though I have had some people locally who have urged me to. No, I will only take him if he comes on my land and is a direct threat to my horses. I am not sure I can explain, either, the feeling of looking at the mangled body of a beautiful horse, one which I helped bring into the world, one whose little body I cleaned and who I gently guided to his mothers teat for her first meal. When I saw that, I knew in my heart, I could not allow it to happen to another horse, or cow, or goat under my care. Above and beyond all of that though is the knowledge that my wife walks those woods and my little grandson will be coming to visit soon. When weighed against all that, then I have no trouble killing the cat. I respect your point of view and I understand how it could trouble you....no problem, my friend.
dianaani.....We are supposed to meet with a group of ranchers in the next day or so to discuss our options and what we can do to help each other.
.
Finally the man took his dog and walked off on me.
Later on I found out that this dog had killed a West Highland puppy dog the previous year.At that point the dog was supposed to have been killed.The owner was allowed to keep his dog under one condition:Dog be kept on leash,wearing a muzzle.As the man was in serious trouble this time,he told the police that I had caused this confrontation.It took me a whole year with the support of a lawer to get the money back for the vet's fees,and my dog took a long time to get over the shock.
Torman,you are a gifted writer,and I fully understand your feelings.
Looking at the photo of the most beautiful biest,I feel sorry for him,as he was trying to get food for himself and perhaps for his cubs,too.
Candace....Thank you so much for your kind words. I think control is the key to many aspects of ranch life, there are so many opportuinties to let emotion get in the way and to overcome someone.
Boanerges....Oh I wish I could have shown you a picture of this ole boys face when he saw those wounds....priceless. First time I ever actually saw a man's jaw drop and his mouth hang open.
Be well, stay safe.
The only difficulty I've ever had with the subject are the times when panic and anger rule the day, and too often the animals killed aren't even the one/s doing the damage - and numbers are killed, it becomes an 'open season' on any big cat, any coyote, any shark (and on and on).
The really depressing thing is knowing that often these predators are coming down to the farms and ranches because their natural range and prey has been affected in some manner by human activity - and then sadly once they discover 'shooting fish in a barrel' they're simply going to repeat the process :(.
Hopefully this cat will have learned taking your stock is too difficult - the colt died but from the cat's point of view the hunt wasn't successful - so maybe s/he won't be back unless really desperate.
Good luck Tor.
Rated for some things just are.
Lezlie
It was along Line Creek...well into the metropolitan area.
But one look it not proof...and I can see no other trace, nor hear of any pets or livestock issues that can't be explained by bobcats.
Nice write.
But then, I vicerally understand your pain and need to protect the remaining livestock. My heart broke for that poor little filly.
It's a complex issue as man encroaches further and further into wildlife territory and changes habitat such that food sources disappear. I admire you for putting this out here and for being of such resolve in your mind. I don't think I could feel equally convinced in your shoes, and to have the courage of your convictions is an admirable thing.
I am still 'kicking' ane well.
I may haul to `local pubs!
The beer store `shuts soon!
I need a 10PM `dark stouts!
I'll gulp a Easton, PA's beer!
There is a potent Dark Heathen.
The beer has a image of a scythe!
It's a hop and sleeper suds beer.
It's dangerous. Sip in P.U. truck.
No drive. No puke on piano keys.
I was going to suggest a trip wire, until I looked at how much they cost to install. A motion detector might be cheaper.
Shame, all the way around.
2. You realize that you performed a miracle, right? You got a government official to admit he was wrong. Hell, you got two miracles--you convinced one to face facts!
3. Be safe, Dude.
Two of my former professors have reported more than one each cougar sighting on campus in the past few years. I have heard that others have too. Lord knows we have the prey population in the lovely deer. Each sighting has been laughed off. With no evidence of a kill, they won't even entertain the idea of the sightings and told them to get their eyes checked.
This has been incredibly earth shattering for you and Mel. I remember our anticipation of the foal and her beauty and special markings, naming her. She was a part of your family, I know. You have my sympathy and prayers for you both in your loss.
Onto your hunt. Oddly, as a protector of wolves on public lands, I support your efforts and wish you well. I also worry for you that the waiting and staring into the forest, something you have been well-trained for on two levels, while it will steadily sustain you and not detract from you seeing through the mission could cause a PTSD episode when the hunt is over. Please, please take care of you as you succeed in your hunt.
I agree heartily with Walter Blevins in his assertion that this is a beautifully, albeit heart rending, story that should, once it is complete, should be shared with a wider audience! Be well my friends!
I can hear the passion in your voice,Torman. Our animals are indeed our responsibilities. Be careful yourself, please.
♥R
well written story david. I think blevins is on to something. :)
be careful.
YOU...are a true rancher and you know that there is "joy in the morning." But the anguish before...I'm just humbled that you're able to handle that, too.