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Seth · Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 26

Went to a friends farm in Missouri down in the Ozarks last weekend and found 15 dead deer and a total count of about 70 deer legs some of the deer killed were healthy bucks we found deer legs and heads ripped apart from the body it was hard to go 100 feet with out seeing a part of a deer and then find the body off in a ditch. Most of the deer have a broken rib on the right side and there legs torn off. We know it is not hunters because (1) they can’t see the deer from the road and on all the deer the back straps and the horns are still on but the deer have all had there organs taken out with out braking the ribs up the chest. Also all the deer look like they have gotten ambushed on their trails when it starts to get thick and five of them were found down at a water hole. If you have any ideas on how to hunt/trap one or if you think it is or isn’t one PLEASE WRITE ME!!!

[ This Message was edited by: seth on 2004-03-13 20:16 ]

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 869 Location: Colorado

I live in Colorado, and what you describe almost sounds like a pack of dogs and/or coyotes got into the deer & tore them up. We see that frequently with livestock here, particularly sheep.

To me it does not sound like lion or bear. If the damage is occuring on your property, I would call a government trapper (we have them in Colorado, not sure if you have them in your area as well) and have them assess the damage. They can usually tell by the way the kill site looks, what type of animal(s) may have done the killing.

Good luck, & keep us posted when you find out what's going on.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2595 Location: Colorado

Dogs are a good way to find cats.

Is there any cat sign? Such as:

- scat

- tracks (you mentioned a waterhole) With 15 dead tracks should be in the area.

- Cats kill by going for the throat. Some should have puncture marks around the throat. Scratches may appear on the body.

all had there organs taken out with out braking the ribs up the chest

That is what scavengers do to a carcass.

I'd call the game department, could be disease (blue tongue) or a toxin in the area.

donmillion · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 394 Location: Colorado

I agree with cowgal that it sounds like a pack of dogs or coyotes. Cats don't hunt in packs, and they kill and eat one animal at a time. Killing numerous animals and only partially eating each one is the sort of thing a pack of dogs would do.

Ferguson · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Missouri

It sounds to me like a deer dump. MoDot has those as well as other agencies. Who's land is it on? Cats cover up their prey and like the earlier posts they don't kill but one at a time. Dogs kill for fun at times. As far as the broken ribs? Sounds to me like vehicle damage. I don't believe a cat will consistanly break ribs
Call the Missouri Dept. of Conservation. They will get you the correct answer to your question, if there is one.

Slider · Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 18

Bigfoot!!! Good Luck

ASA GRAY · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 25 Location: nm

i dont think it is a mt lion prloy yots or dogs

NONYA · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 409 Location: Montana

lions do hunt in packs,on more than one occasion i have seen groups of 2 or 3 lions on a kill or stalking game together.Often times cubs will stay with thier mother for a couple years and they also hunt together.Maybe try a trail cam in the area and find out what you are dealing with,never heard of so many deer killed in a small area by domestic dogs or coyotes.