[pct-l] Inflammatory mountain lion warning

[Ed Jarrett]

I saw this two days ago and ignored it.  I know cougars are out there & could probably take me if they really wanted to.  But the posted message was not believable, IMO.

Ed Jarrett (Eeyore)A Clay Jar: http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdJarrett53 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ed.jarrett.71 

> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 06:54:12 -0700
> From: rgraybill44 at gmail.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Inflammatory mountain lion warning
> 
> Should PCT hikers pack guns?  That was the recommendation of an
> inflammatory mountain lion warning posted on a tree near Mission Creek
> Trail Camp (Mile 240) by controversial wildlife biologist, T. J. Elsbury.
>  Here's what it said: "Danger! Hikers Beware
> 
> In the San Gorgonio Forrest [sic] District a short distance from Forests
> Falls near Mountain Home a fisherman beat off an attacking mountain lion
> with a fishing rod and loud screams. The Ca. Fish & Wildlife did not kill
> the lion. Following which, two men while hiking in the vicinity vanished.
> Earlier 13 year-old Jared M. Negrete vanished just east of the area.
> Earlier yet a man vanished on the south side of the forest district, and
> recently a human skull was found in its Whitewater drainage. Possibly
> nearly as scary, lions in 2013 have repeatedly visited residential areas in
> the valley to prey on pets. The latest incidence happened only last week
> where the “large” lion killed two dogs. The Fish and Wildlife refused to
> track and kill the cat because ¡t had not attacked a human! Said lion’s
> home range probably included the area of Forests Falls. Only days after the
> dogs were killed a fifteen year old girl while hiking vanished from the
> area!
> 
>  "Don’t become the next victim!
> 
> Never hike alone in mountain lion habitat as did the former victims.
> Always be aware of your surroundings.  Hikers should pack side arms.  Lions
> are going hungry chiefly because deer-their primary—prey has been
> overhunted by man: back in the fifties there were an estimated 24,000 dear
> in the S. B. Forest now at best there are 4,000.  Also due to total
> protection, Ca. lions have increased from 500 to at least 5000.  Wildlife
> Biologist T. J. Elsbury"
> 
> 
> Elsbury has a long history of conflict with government wildlife management
> agencies.  You can find his side of the story in his book, *The Cost of
> Being Green*, portions of which you can read on Google Books.
> 
> 
> Ron "Slo Charger" Graybill
> p.s. This notice was seen April 17, 2014, as Bill "Groundpounder" Frenette
> and I were hiking southbound from Onyx Summit to Whitewater Preserve.  On a
> more pleasant note, Mission Creek further south of the trail camp is alive
> with a fantastic display of wildflowers.
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