Catamounts in New Hampshire

I am the author of the fictional novel "Catamount A North Country Thriller". When I first began my book signing tour, I noticed that a number of the people in the audiences had come because they wished to tell about their own encounters with a Mountain Lion. In response to this, I have now created a slide show featuring many of the local sightings. More and more people are now approaching me with their stories. I have created this blog in the hopes that more individuals will share their experiences and pictures. I am astonished at how many sightings have been reported. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't seem trustworthy. I have also been in contact with John Harrigan in Colebrook, NH. He has featured mountain lion sightings in his syndicated column for many years. Again most, if not all, of the sightings appear to have been reported by reliable sources.

In theory, Catamounts became extinct in Northern New England by the end of the 1800's. John believes that they were never completely eradicated. Fish and Game agencies tend to suggest that DNA verified scat etc.,come from released domestic mountain lions that were purchased as pets. They also suggest that the sightings may be the result of mistaken identity. Anyone, however, who knows anything about the woods knows that catamounts do not resemble bobcats, fisher cats, or lynxes. One woman was told that she must have seen a raccoon.

There just seem to be too many sightings for all of them to be discounted. The size and the unique long tail are the hallmark of every report. I am definitely not interested in creating fear or suggesting that these magnificent animals should once again be hunted to extinction. Clearly the mystique of the mountain lion peaked my imagination enough to create a thriller based on the premise that at least one might be in the north woods of New Hampshire.

The discussions that have resulted from my book signings and from my slide shows have been nothing short of fascinating. I think it would be educational and fun to continue some of these discussions on line.

Some of the slides from my show can viewed without commentary at www.rick-davidson.com.