Pineland predators

[pinelandpaddler]

This past Saturday, while hiking along the old central railroad in Atsion, I came to the old bridge over the upper Mullica. As I approached, I saw a wild turkey on the side of the tracks. And, Lo and behold, a bobcat comes out of nowhere and attacks and kills the turkey! By far the coolest nature scene I have ever witnessed in the Barrens. Well, that's it. Just thought I'd share that.

-Gabe

 

[Bobbleton]

That is just awesome! Any chance you got pictures?

 

[BEHR655]

That is cool. Are you certain it was a bobcat?

 

[jokerman]

Yes, if it was indeed a Bobcat, you are very lucky to have witnessed such a spectacle! Wish I could have been there to see that. I saw some turkeys in the road near Pasadena and thought that was cool, but nothing like you saw!

 

[pinelandpaddler]

Unfortunately, no..I didn't get a picture. I need to get into the habit of bring my camera with me!

I can't say that I'm sure it was a bobcat, though I'm positive it was not a "wild house cat." I am quite confident that there are cougars in the pines, and if this was indeed a cougar, it was but a toddler.

 

[BEHR655]

Is this what you saw?

Or this?

 

[BarryC]

We do have Bobcats in the Pines, although they are either threatened or endangered. But Cougars are supposed to be only a myth.
There is a small White Pine within 2 or 3 minutes walk of Nash's Cabin that's been badly scratched by a Bobcat. There is also another one that I saw somewhere around there, although I can't remember where at the moment.

 

[bobpbx]

And, Lo and behold, a bobcat comes out of nowhere and attacks and kills the turkey! Gabe

Gabe, do you mind posting the coordinates? I would like to visit the area. There might be sign.

 

[Ben Ruset]

Regarding wild turkeys, one of my friends parents has a farm out in Colliers Mills. They used to have a whole flock of wild turkeys that would hang around their barn.

 

[pinelandpaddler]

BEHR,

I was about 60 ft. or so away from the cat, and thus wasn't afforded the clearest view. He was too big to be a tom cat, but probably too thin to be a cougar. I'd say he looked more like the first picture than the second, which is why I orginally presumed it to be a bobcat.

Bob,

The precise location was on the leftof the tracks just before the bridge (if you're approaching from quaker bridge road).

Barry,

In reference to couragrs in the barrens....I have seen paw prints, and I've heard a number of accounts from some very reliable sources. I suppose seeing is believing. :wink:

-Gabe

 

[pinelandpaddler]

What about bears?

Are there any bears in the pines?

 

[BEHR655]

Almost every weekend.

 

[Teegate]

Almost every weekend.

As usual, a good one!

Guy

 

[manumuskin]

I saw a cougar on the mullica in 78 when i was 14 and canoeing.no one believes you unless your a biologist with a degree that says you did 4 years in college but i know what i saw.it was in a tree ten ft off the meadow and it jumped down and leaped across the meadow quite undeerlike let alone being in a tree.it looked exactly like the bottom pic.all tan about five feet long and had a cat face.I was approx 100 ft from it.
You are lucky though.I suspect i saw a bobcat once but it was so fast I can"t swear.It could of been a large calico cat but it also was in a tree and it jumped out into thick brush and was gone.Damn big for a house cat though.cats are so slick their abilty to avoid detection is amazing.
Al