Country World

I received an email from a rancher in East Texas that has had livestock coming up missing. Apparently, his neighbor has some cattle that also looked as if they had been attacked. Anyone else having this problem? I'd like to see what people say. We're going to get a story put together soon to offer some information and helpful advice on dealing with this type of a problem.

Check out this old article on Mountain Lions returning to the state.
www.countryworldnews.com/news-archives/CTX/2005/ct0818cats.php

Also guys, don't forget that bears are also returning to Texas at an astounding rate. They ARE NOT known to attack livestock. Bears in Texas are protected. There are two different types of bears and they look exactly the same. One is protected on a federal level (the Louisiana Black Bear) and the other is protected on a state level (the American Black Bear). Only a DNA test can differentiate between the two.
Here's links to a few old articles on the bears:
www.countryworldnews.com/news-archives/ETX/2005/et0224bears.php
www.countryworldnews.com/news-archives/2...r/1127Blackbears.php

In addition to bears..... alligators are here. You may not have seen them, but they are everywhere, so watch those stock ponds. When the water rises after rains (as rare as it may be), alligators will find their way to even the most remote watering holes.
www.countryworldnews.com/news-archives/E.../et0623alligator.php

While these can attack livestock, you may also want to keep an eye out for predators you aren't suspecting. I am looking forward to hearing from you all!

The ranch manager at the hunting place I use just killed a 12-foot gator in a small pool smack dab in the middle of the property.

Mmmmm, alligator tail sounds delicious!

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many wild and threatening animals in these parts.

I've read lots of news lately about gators being out of control. I think the most surprising was that hit the highway somewhere near Fort Worth and got creamed. They are coming out of the woodwork lately.

Superdave, if you don't know about wild animals in these parts, you've obviously never been a woman in a bar in East Texas.

I don't know about here in East Texas, but I was on a deer lease a few years ago down past Ozona and the rancher kept finding remains of his cows on his ranch. As he observed them he noticed that some of the remains had been cut with some sort of blade. He never was able to prove it, but he believed it was hungry illegal immigrants killing his cows for food.

Also, as a rule of survival. If a predator finds a food source that is plentiful they usually will not leave until it is depleted or they are chased away. So, if a mountain lion, bear or alligator can easily take down a calf, goat etc. and get much for to eat than killing fish or little fur bearing animals such as rabbits, then don't you think they will stick around. If so, ranchers are going to have to be far more protective of their livestock. But, that is just my opinion.