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But a road and bridge worker in Reynolds County did report seeing a cougar cross the road on Route J between the towns of Oates and Black in late December. Henson said he hadn’t seen any indication of a mountain lion in the Cook Spring area prior to catching one in his trap. Of the 14 documented in 2011, three were either killed or found dead, and 11 were confirmed by photos, video or tracks, scat or other sign. The MDC has repeatedly said the big cats were apparently ranging further southeast than normal, and excused the idea that Missouri has an established population of cougars.īut the rash of lion sightings in 2011 works to prove there may be a population of mountain lions living and breeding in the Show-Me State. Missouri has seen a growing number of mountain lion sightings in recent years, with 14 confirmed discoveries in 2011. Henson said Beringer told him it’s likely the mountain lion was ranging from its home in South Dakota in search of a female. Then the men moved a safe distance away and waited for it to wake up and move into the thick wooded area. It was sedated and the necessary information gathered. The MDC biologist and local agent took possession of the animal and transported it, along with Henson’s help, to the area outside Ellington where it could be studied in private. The magnificent animal drew a steady stream of onlookers until Beringer arrived.
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On Thursday morning he took the big cat to work with him, at least to the parking lot of the courthouse. Henson works as a county commissioner in Reynolds County. Long notified Beringer, who said he would be in Centerville by mid-day Thursday. The trapper called Reynolds County Conservation Agent Eric Long and told him what he’d caught. He called on a friend to help him load the trap and its catch in the back of his pickup truck. Using caution, he worked a piece of wire through the metal panels enough to feel comfortable the door would not accidently come open during transport. He said the cat was obviously agitated anytime he went anywhere near the trap.Įventually he decided to wire the door closed on the trap as a safety measure. He knew the circumstances wouldn’t allow him to dispatch it and keep the hide, but also knew he had no desire to stand close enough to the trap to open the door to let his unusual catch out.
#Missouri mountain lion code#
However, the Code provides for the taking of wildlife during prescribed hunting and trapping seasons and under other circumstances, such as when mountain lions are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals or threatening human safety. Henson said he discovered the cougar, another name for a mountain lion, in the live trap Wednesday afternoon. All wildlife is protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.