Cat /Lion Sighting Tucson

[tucrats]

Yesturday my daughter said that the pricipal said over the loud speaker

"For all the kids walking home, you need to start walking in larger groups! There has been a Moutain Lion in the neighborhood."

 

Well the wife and I did not really think she heard the message over the loud speaker correctly. Our daughter is only nine, however very smart but still to busy to really pay any close attention to the message.

 

I called all the guys in the neghborhood ( all avid hunters) to let them hear about the news I just received. We all first thought "BOBCAT", however no info to follow.

 

Today 25-06 told a mutual friend and father whos kid's go to the same school, and well let's just say the ball just started to roll! Game and Fish had no idea, nor the news. Trucks, camera's, and the usual b.s. were there. The school said that they all ready sent home notices, but did not, they told the kids that a notice would go out tomorrow (today). Still NO Notes!

 

Last night a friend said He saw a bobcat in the sme area. A gentleman talking to the news lady tonigtht SWORE he saw a mountain lion! Who knows? Still waiting to hear more!

 

Just for everyones info, I livein a VERY HEAVILY populated area on the east side of Tucson. Very unlikly it was a mountain lion, but not if it were a bobcat!

 

Jim

[SilentButDeadly]

On NPR this morning there was a report about a lion sighting near a school on that side of town. They said G&F was investigating.

 

With a public announcement like that I wonder how many urban assault vehicles (ie. 80's vintage Ford Broncos, Dodge Ramchargers, or Chevy Blazers; with primer paint) are now patrolling those neighborhoods with binoculars and small arms on board?

[AzBuckCHaser1]

where about on the east side im on 22nd houghton and see bobcats all the time

[arizonian]

I heard the report on NPR and was wondering if they had an eyewitness available or not. The school in the report is Steele Elementary, I think it's on the corner of Sarnoff and Kenyon, near Pantano and 22nd.

 

Bill

[Kilimanjaro]

Hey Kast1, I live about a 1/2 mile from ya to the north!! small world, huh??

[tucrats]

I live right at Kenyon and Sarnoff. For those who do not know, the school is on Sarnoff just south of Broadway and North of 22nd st.

 

The bobcat was seen at Sarnoff and Pantano ( right next to 25-06 house) where sarnoff ends at Pantano Wash.

 

I am sure we may see more suv's patroling the neighborhood!

[cpugsie]

I was recently shown a photo of a bobcat in my fiends mothers backyard somewhere in Tucson. I'll try and find out where she lives. He said there's a big wash behind her house. If I can find the picture I'll post it.

[Kilimanjaro]

I've also got a couple of pics of Bobcats here at the house.. they like to walk the top of the fence right before dark.. We also always have a herd of Javies behind the house as well.. and coyotes up the ying yang.. those things wake me up about every other night howling right beside my bedroom window!

[Avion]

I grew up at Sarnoff and Wrightston rd. in the seventies. It was mostly desert all around there. Played in the Pantano constantly and saw lots of bobcats and wild parrots. Even worked at the OK Corral. Is it still there?

[out2hunt]

I spent ten years living there at 22nd and wilmont.I too used to raise havic on the bmx at the pantano wash as a kid.brings back memories.

[Avion]

Before I moved to the east side I grew up on the U of A farm at Campbell and Roger Rd. That was the sticks in ''71. I could dove hunt in the Rillito. Plenty of cats there with all sheep and calves.

[tucrats]

Avion, Sure is, the OK Corral is. I am a Tucson Native. Been here since 1971!

 

Sure do remember all the open area's that are'nt around any more. We keep growing so fast, it's no wonder the wildlife is moving in, we are moving into their homes!

 

Growth can be good but it can also be bad.

[Tucson John]

You guys were my neighbors! We lived at Houghton and Fort Lowell. I went to Palo Verde and then Sahuaro and graduated in 1971. My brothers and I used to hunt Deer, Javelina, Coyote, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Quail, Dove,ect, right out our back door. I sure miss Tucson the way it used to be!

Work, and the need to support my family forced me to move to Tempe, but my heart is still,and will always be in Tucson.

 

Now let me relate an interesting story.

 

My wife works for Quest. her office is at 48th St. and Thomas in Scottsdale. Last fall she called me at work and she was all excited. While she was on a conference call, and looking out the window of her office to a small wash with an elementary school playgroung on the other side of the wash, a mature male Mountain Lion walked by her window. The big cat was within 10 yards of her and she definately knew exactly what it was. She wanted to know what she should do because she was concerned for the children at the school. I told her to call Fish and Game, and I gave her the number. She did and the gal she talked to did not believe her. This F&G person kept asking my wife to describe the animal. After she had described it as large, tan, long tail, ect: she finally asked this gal if SHE knew what a Mountain Lion looks like, when she said she did, Laura told her, well that's what I saw! Anyway,as far I know, this was never investgated by F&G. But it shows that these big cats can be anywhere. I've been hunting in Arizona all my life and I've only seen one Mountain Lion,and it was so steathy, I finally understood why I had never seen another one. I'll bet I've been close to a big cat many times, and never even knew it!

 

TJ