They finally admit we have cats and then they shoot one....

[passin through]

Anybody else see this?  All my life LDWF has denied the presence of big cats here and then this year we finally start seeing trail cam evidence of them and BAM!  Bad Kitty!  I know its not really a joking matter but for years one of the quickest ways to get in a knock down drag out with deer hunting types in North LA/ South AR/ West MS areas is the old "IS they or Is they ain't Painthers he-ah" 
Well Virginia...aparently they is Painthers here and Metro is scairt of them[:D]

COUGAR CAPTURE IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD UNSUCCESSFUL Release Date: 12/02/2008
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Bossier City Police Department (BCPD) responded to a call on Sunday, Nov. 30 that a cougar had been spotted in a residential neighborhood in Bossier City.  LDWF's efforts to immobilize the 125-pound cat with a tranquilizer dart were not immediately successful and BCPD officers shot the animal to minimize the possible threat to public safety.
The state's third documented cougar sighting in three months was witnessed by neighbors in Bossier City, as well as law enforcement officers, state biologists and news media representatives.  The cougar was discovered in the same neighborhood where a black bear was treed three years ago.  That incident resulted in capture and relocation of the bear.
"This neighborhood is situated close to the Red River," said Maria Davidson, LDWF Wildlife Division.  "Animals will utilize forested corridors along rivers and streams to cover great distances between forest woodlots."
LDWF staff worked with the BCPD to secure the area for the public's safety in advance of biologists' efforts to tranquilize the animal.  When the 125-pound cat was hit with the tranquilizer dart, it was startled and began to move within the tree where it was situated.  BCPD officers then shot the cougar out of concern for public safety. 
"Our standard procedure is to tranquilize the animal in a situation such as this and relocate it to ensure public safety as well as the welfare of the animal," said Davidson.  "It simply did not work in this situation."
Dr. Jim Lacour, LDWF veterinarian, performed a necropsy on Monday to take DNA samples and uncover any clues to help determine if the cougar was a wild animal or possibly an animal that had been kept as a pet and then released.
"Currently, all indications are that this cougar was a wild, free ranging animal," Davidson reported.  "A three- to four-year-old male cougar is within the most common age class to roam long distances in search of a new home range."
Photographic evidence submitted to LDWF in September verified the presence of cougars in the state.  A Sept. 4 photo from Natchitoches Parish and an Allen Parish photo on Sept. 29, both from citizens utilizing trail cameras, may have captured the same cougar's image.  It has not been determined whether or not the Bossier City cougar is that same animal.
Anyone holding a captive cougar in Louisiana must have a permit issued by LDWF, as captive cougars may compromise public safety.  LDWF may issue permits to existing owners in the state in order to reduce difficulties associated with determining the validity of reported cougar sightings.
The mountain lion, cougar, panther or puma are names that all refer to the same animal.  Their color ranges from lighter tan to brownish grey. 
Cougars in Louisiana are protected under state and federal law.  Penalties for taking a cougar in Louisiana may include up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine.  Anyone with any information regarding the taking of a cougar should call LA Operation Game Thief, inc. at 1-800-442-2511.  Callers may remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.

[burnnurse1]

PT I can tell you straight from the horses mouth that there are black panthers in NW La. b/c I looked one right in the eye's. Very impressive animal (and a good bowel stimulant). I saw him over in Cotton Valley while walking down a pipeline. Yeah I was a little upset they killed that cat in Bossier. Don't know if you saw the news footage, but IMO they could of done much more to take him alive.

[nathandemoss09]

I live in ouachita parish and i kno for a fact we have atleast 2 across the road from my house kinda cool when u hear them...

[Everyday Hunter]

ORIGINAL: burnnurse1

PT I can tell you straight from the horses mouth that there are black panthers in NW La. b/c I looked one right in the eye's. Very impressive animal....

Burnnurse1, I'm not one to doubt you. You have a much better idea what you saw than I do. But I will say this. If you saw a black panther, it is apparently a different species than the mountain lions of the western states. From what I understand, there has never been a black one out there, because they don't have a gene for a melanistic phase.

We have reports of them in Pennsylvania, too. I've seen trail camera photos of them that were faked, and unfounded reports circulate constantly on the Internet. I've spoken with several people who say they have seen them. Wish I could see one.

Steve

[passin through]

ORIGINAL: Everyday Hunter

Burnnurse1, I'm not one to doubt you. You have a much better idea what you saw than I do. But I will say this. If you saw a black panther, it is apparently a different species than the mountain lions of the western states. From what I understand, there has never been a black one out there, because they don't have a gene for a melanistic phase.
 Steve

....and that is where the disagreements usually start around here[:D]  My self I vote that it might very well be a Florida Panther (which I believe does have the melanistic gene or are/can be a darker brown)that was seen by BN as he hunts close to me and lots of the sightings here concern a very dark brown or black kitty, but for sure the one shot over in Bossier was of the regular old mountain lion variety from out west, which you are correct doesn't have that trait....still ticks me off they shot him though. 

[Everyday Hunter]

On second thought, I actually did see a black panther once. In fact, I knew him. I was working in Washington, D.C. at the time. [;)]

Steve

[passin through]

LOL!  I wouldn't quite know exactly what to do if I did see one but if he reallllly spooked me I'd have to find out how he was in a gumbo!