how to talk somebody down from shooting

[Shorty]

I'd help him out in any way possible, including and encouraging trapping and or killing of wolves/coyotes. Those are the predators doing most of the damage. Help him with these problems and along the way explain the Cougars roll in the wild. Also explain your concerns for their preservation. It could be a win win if proposed correctly. JMO

[huntfish8]

Thanks guys. I went up Saturday after we got some snow deer hunting with the guy and cut 3 differnt lion tracks and two bobcat. I really wanted to drive back to the house and grab some dogs. Two of the tracks were not very big and the other one was a very nice cat... he was all excited when we found that big cat track. So maybe he might be in it for just a trophy. Can't wait for the season to start!

[larry]

there ya go, problem solved, he's seen the big track, convince him to hunt that particular cat, done deal.

[dwalton]

Do any of you guys believe in the fact that the habitat and available food controls the population of animals. In some species you can harvest 90% each year to maintain the population. Mother nature can take care of things far better than we think we can. Dewey

[larry]

Do any of you guys believe in the fact that the habitat and available food controls the population of animals. In some species you can harvest 90% each year to maintain the population. Mother nature can take care of things far better than we think we can. Dewey

There's so many variables left out of this statement that play a huge role, its not that simple and hunters are more than capable of over harvesting lions in a stable environment and population. Lions are not "some species" they tend to be alot more fragile than a species that can come back from a 90% harvest rate. the flaw in your logic is leaving things to mother nature after we have already intervened in multiple ways. Sounds like a wolf lover or bunny huggers point of view. thought you were regarded as one of this sites more knowledgable Dewey, at least by those that don't know any better.

[dwalton]

I hunted Utah, Colorado, and Nevada in the late 60' and early 70' when the lion population was about killed out from bounty any USDA hunters hunting year around. The deer populations were huge. There are far more lion now than at anytime, but to hear some talk they are all gone. You can over hunt an area? Yes. The best example would be the Kaibab which I have hunted also. Washington, Oregon and California have huge over populations of lions which only the USDA can control now because of a vote of the people. Yes the statement was way simplified to make people stop and think. I feel that most people do not have the knowledge of what is out there to really make good decision as to what is out there and what should be done most decision are based on our own beliefs which may or may not be true. There will never be a balance of nature with modern man. We are the factor that limits. Loss of habitat and over population of man will limit all wild life. Dewey