WrightwoodCalif.com Forum

Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: Nightowl on Oct 28, 08, 09:39:00 PM

Title: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Nightowl on Oct 28, 08, 09:39:00 PM: While driving down Hwy 2, just past Sheep Creek we came across a dead mtn lion along the side of the road on the evening of October 26th. It appeared to be a sub-adult, about 5 feet long. Since it was in really good condition and was still warm we decided to put it on ice and deliver it to a natural history museum the next day. It was delivered to the musuem staff and will eventually be on display at Maturango Natural History Museum in Ridgecrest. LA County Natural History Museum was also very interested but didn't return my phone calls as quickly. Just thought everyone would like to know about these beautiful cats and their whereabouts. And don't worry I do this kind of thing quite often. I'm a biologist and have a scientific collecting permit. A couple months ago it was a Great Horned owl that went off to a museum. If anyone encounters unusual, fresh roadkill, in good condition send me an email and at least it can be used for education.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Matt951 on Oct 28, 08, 09:57:14 PM: Do you have a picture?
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Nightowl on Oct 28, 08, 10:30:30 PM: Nope.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: wwpt on Oct 29, 08, 01:32:57 AM: Hmmmm.....Sounds like the same one who got my dog a few weeks back. We figured it to be a yearling otherwise the dog never would of been able to outrun an attack from a mature cat.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: ChrisLynnet on Oct 29, 08, 05:33:20 AM: I was so sorry to hear about that.

I live up from Hwy 2 and Sheep Creek (Pinon Mesa) and wonder if that's what got my cat a few weeks ago. I heard the cat cry out and then silence. (It was bad.) I remember thinking at the time that whatever killed Cloudy was awfully quiet for a coyote. I'm still sorry to hear that a mountain lion id dead, they're beautiful creatures.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: GARY on Oct 29, 08, 10:15:15 PM: There was a sign outside Buddy's Texas Tavern near Texarkana that read.....
"Our meat is so fresh you can still see the tire tracks"

;D
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: kew on Oct 29, 08, 11:24:34 PM: ROADKILL CAFE MENU

You Kill It, _____________ We Grill It'

http://www.road-kill-cafe.com/roadkill.html
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: GARY on Oct 30, 08, 09:38:20 PM: Today, Thursday at about 2p.m., I was on 138 headed for I-
15 on my way back home, and as I approached Mormon Rocks what I think was a mountain lion crossed 138 and made a run for the Rocks. It seemed to come from the brushy area near LPC & 138.

Do mountain lions come out during the day? I thought they are nocternal? I do know they would like rugged areas lsimilar to Mormon Rocks.

I'm glad it (whatever "it" was) made it across 138.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Nolena on Oct 30, 08, 10:05:51 PM: I'm just staying away from the local hamburgers.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Forest 1 on Oct 30, 08, 10:12:09 PM
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Forest 1 on Oct 30, 08, 10:13:46 PM: Quote from: Ken on Oct 29, 08, 11:24:34 PM
ROADKILL CAFE MENU

You Kill It, _____________ We Grill It'

http://www.road-kill-cafe.com/roadkill.html

There is a Road Kill Cafe in Seligman Arizona. If you are ever headed east on I-40, I suggest pulling off on old Route 66 and checking it out.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: GARY on Oct 31, 08, 01:30:44 PM: Forest............thanks. I wasn't sure if they come out during the day. Was I correct about the big cat's favoring rocky places, like Mormon Rocks?

I'm almost certain this was a mountain lion.....it could have been a big dog, but it didn't run like a dog, and I was too far away to really get a good look at it. By the time I got up to 138 and LPC it had disappeared into the brush.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Katwest13 on Oct 31, 08, 02:36:45 PM: Quote from: Forest 1 on Oct 30, 08, 10:12:09 PM
Grassy Hollow used to have one on display behind the counter. It was a road kill at the base of Sheep Creek and Highway 2.

It is beautiful, its paws are as large as my hand (fingers extended).

The new visitor center has that same cat, I think.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Forest 1 on Oct 31, 08, 04:28:33 PM: Gary,
Yup...they like rocky areas and dense brush to stalk their prey, but I would have thought the area near Mormon Rocks is too populated for mountain lions. Every year there are reports of mountain lions that have wandered into a populated area looking for a doggie or kitty nugget.
Thats pretty cool you got to see one (if that is what it was). :2thumbsup:

There is a new visitor center?!?!?!
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: GARY on Nov 01, 08, 03:40:42 PM: Forrest.........you're right about the area being a bit populated. Alot of railroad traffic, and, about 3 miles away (on 138 going to SR2) are several homes.

Beautiful animals!
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: cedar on Nov 01, 08, 08:42:17 PM: Mountain lions stay with their mothers for something in the neighborhood of 18 months. Once the mother thinks her son is ready (or perhaps is just tired of him) he is kicked out. There is more tolerance for female offspring. The young male mountain lion is very much like an 18 year old human, sure they are adults, but many haven't fully developed common sense. The mountain lions that get into trouble are frequently these 18 month old males. They are kicked out of the best hunting territorries and end up in backyards eating people's pets. At our school, we have the pelt and skull of one of these 'kids' who was shot by the game warden in Hesperia.
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Bildonator on Nov 07, 08, 03:09:31 PM: Quote from: cedar on Nov 01, 08, 08:42:17 PM
At our school, we have the pelt and skull of one of these 'kids' who was shot by the game warden in Hesperia.
Sounds a little strict, but if it keeps discipline in the schools.... ;D
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: wwres on Nov 12, 08, 01:08:47 PM: In reference to Gary's post about the big cat near Mormon Rocks, my husband and/or I have frequently seen a bobcat in that area, all times of day. Once about 2-3pm in the afternoon I saw it run across the road, and there were people standing outside their vehicle at a turnout within rock's throwing distance of it. Just thinking maybe this is what you saw run across the road???
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: Nanette on Nov 20, 08, 08:39:03 AM: My daughter saw a mountain lion bounding across highway 2 this morning at 7:48 A.M. as she was going to work. She was driving east on 2 just before Sheepcreek when the lion bounded out from the houses on the south and disappeared into the wash North across the highway. This is the first one she has seen here, and was surprised at how large it was!
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: wwpt on Nov 28, 08, 12:41:40 PM: I saw the big cat too early this morning at 12:01 am running across Hwy 2 @ Sheep Creek Wash between Twin Lakes and Victorville heading back to the wash. It's apparently finding food sources up in the neighborhood there. Watch your Pets!
Title: Re: Mtn lion roadkill
Post by: wwpt on Aug 06, 09, 10:25:17 AM: Coming into Wrightwood on Hwy 2 between Wright Mtn Rd and the Sheep Creek Wash, Wed at 8am'ish, a large 6 point Buck Deer charged out of the brush right in front of me on collision course.
I stomped the brakes and swerved behind him and thank God he kept running or I would of totaled my car. He was Huge, much larger than most deer I have seen in these mountains.