Isn't this an accepted risk, being your choice to live there? Or do you move in and kill everything around so its nice and comfortable for you? The large amounts of snow surely could have caused this encounter, but perhaps overdevelopment and encroachment is making these occurrences more and more common in the big picture.[/quote]
This is absolutely an accepted risk. I don't have kids, or the situation would be entirely different. I live on a 200 acre ranch, the only thing that has been killed are some sweet Azz mule deer, and Elk for food. I'm really not in favor of even killing them, but they are much healthier than store bought meat, and they must be hunted to prevent starvation, a couple months ago, there were herds 20 thick in the yard and orchard, always in view. Now there's none. There's no food, this winter is really bad. The feline predators have enough quail to keep them alive, but probably hungry still.
Luckily I border a National Forest that connects to a National Park then clear into British Columbia, it's not overpopulated by humans at all. It's raw, wild and for the majority untamed land. I am a guest in their environment, I am against killing any animals really. If it were a bear, no way, he'd be a nice rug by now, they are way too unpredictable and dangerous.
I have studied feline behavior for years, and am writing a book, I just never expected to get so lucky to have them here to study. I don't walk outside in the dark without looking out the window for tracks, and I carry a shotgun or the .45 always this time of year. I hope to God I never have to use them.
I was looking with night vision goggles last night, but the snow falling really messes up my eyesight in them, so it wasn't very productive.
OK Jeff! can I use Betty Boop as bait for the dog theory??? JUST KIDDING!!
I think there's a good chance of getting Bobcat photos, if I get a fresh track in this new snow, I can usually get pretty hot on his trail, have to use the truck and spotlight, but I know his routes now! He walks right down the middle of the Canyon road snagging everyone's chickens.....it's pretty funny cause my neighbor thinks he's gonna eat her.....heh heh he's just a little dude....I really want to put the hide from the wall (I didn't kill it) on her fence but I think she wouldn't laugh!
I know where a coyote den is, the pups will be out soon, across the big field on the plateau-they play outside when mom hunts, really cute!