I think I'm going to go after poachers and taxiderm them for my mancave.
I did read it and I saw that. It’s not certain either way, but if it was an accident, why wouldn’t they come forward and say they were after Mountain Lions? And it was just an accident.
I didn’t know you could get in trouble for an accident. That’s kind of strange. It’s not like the Jaguars can read a sign on the traps ( no jaguars allowed... it’s a trap). And your right most traps don’t kill.
A foot hold trap wouldn't hurt the animal and it could have been released unharmed. But if he was using a snare it might kill the animal. He'd have to be using a wolf size snare though. Anything smaller and the cat would have destroyed the snare and got away on its own.
Although rare, a coyote or bobcat size trap attached to a light drag could hold a cougar size animal. A properly made coyote (canine) set normally wouldn't attract a cat (feline), but a bobcat set could. Whenever a trapper catches a "non-target" animal they are required to release that animal unharmed. Yes, a mountain lion or jaguar is difficult to release, but not impossible. Two guys with a catch pole can do it. Put the loop around cats neck, hold the head to the ground and cover it's head with a blanket. It usually calms the animal down enough the release the cat. A catch pole is easy to make and many trappers carry one if they think they may catch a non--target animal. I think the trapping regulations recommend (requires?) that if a trapper catches something that they can't safely release that they should call Fish and Game for assistance.
I honestly did not know Jaguars were even in the states.... South America, sure, but no clue they used to be here.
Leopard - old world
