Mountain Lion Chatter

As a kid growing up....one of my favorite movies (from theater visits) was a Disney production entitled 'Charlie, The Lonesome Cougar'.  Note, cougars are basically mountain lions.

At some point in 1969 (a year after release), it ran in the local region.  Rex Allen narrated the 'tale'.   Basically by the end, you felt charmed by Charlie, and he seemed almost 'friendly'.  

Friday of this past week, my brother noted that a neighbor of sorts there in Alabama had claimed he'd seen a Mountain Lion (mostly saying this over the length of the tale).  True or not?  Unknown.

Naturally, among locals....this has hyped up folks.  Some want to do hunting to ensure an end to the situation.  Alabama law?  It's kinda direct.....you aren't supposed to shoot or hunt the mountain lions.  The same folks will say that there's been no Mountain Lions around since the 1940s.  

I sat and pondered over this.

First, the worst thing you could do is go and name him/her.  If you name anything....terminating or ending it is virtually impossible.  If I were to name him, it'd have to be 'Marvin'.  

Second, statistically speaking....you have a better chance of finding gold laying around on your property, than being attacked by a Mountain Lion.

Third, Mountain Lions tend to like Raccoons (as a snack).  So if you had to this Raccoon problem....'Donald' would take care of your issue.

Fourth, folks in these parts for years have whined about Coyotes. They tend to say that Mexicans came into the region in the 1990s and brought the Coyotes as pets.  It's the biggest bunch of BS that you could possible dream up....but people have actually said that.  Mountain Lions also tend to like Coyotes (as a snack).  'Marvin' would again, take care of your issue.

So no matter how you discuss the matter.....the Mountain Lion seems to be more positive than negative.  Course, at 5 AM....you don't want to step out of your backdoor to discover 'Marvin' standing there and eating out of the cat-food tray.  

Folks occasionally need some excitement.  Well....'Marvin' has wandered in and will briefly be that.