An older gentleman Mulvane animal clinic told me Saturday "I was out with

[Pete]

my German Short hairs last week late in evening for a very short abbreviated 'run outta the yard' . I had a female and a male dog, early in the run... a Mountain Lion attacked my female and killed her". Even though it is Kansas please be on the watch out for these critters...I realize one may think "what kind of a damn Kook would be out running his dogs in hot weather like this, and I asked the guy same ques. He simply told me ..."short run...out of yard...west side of Mulvane...Killed dog by a cougar" This guy was old enough to believe him AND he did not appear to have enough 'hot weather' stamina' to take the dogs too far.

[michigancat]

Love the part about how old people are less likely to lie.  What a racist f*ck.

[steve dave]

He should meet up with the bobcat exterminator guy

[The42Yardstick]

He should meet up with the bobcat exterminator guy

[redacted]!

[Pete]

I believe it 100%. All people should take a lesson from the Governor of Texas, who was out for a run with his dogs when they were attacked by a pack of coyotes. He took out his pistol and shot the critters. Just be safe and when you take your domesticated animals out of the house, carry a gun.

I say always carry a gun, but others don't see it that way I guess.

[Pete]

mountain lions are out there. My cousins killed one that had been harrassing cattle in far northern Nemaha county, right up against the NE border. They called the state wildlife when they first thought hey saw it out there and tehy said they weren't there, but then they ended up shooting it as it had attacked a calf. Thn te state had to admit they had reintroduced them what is now over 10 years ago. Two of my roommates have seen them there too while deer hunting. This is in the fairly thick brush where people have moved out of the country and deer are thick. I imagine places all along NE KS have the same conditions and thus are very open to seeing them.

I do also know that they are in southern Overland Park. I forget the name of the park, but it has been known for some time that you get into the southern edge where it is hiking and biking trails into the woods and there are big cat tracks there. They are following the deer. Just like others have problems with bobcats following the rabbits into their neighborhoods. As people move off the farms and into town, the outer edges of creeks don't get seen as much and as deer populations go up, the cats will follow.

I imagine Missouri will have an even bigger population soon with all the trash brush they have, although, people keeping moving trailers into there sticks.

[Pete]

Oh, the state won't put it in writing they did it, but they were told by the game warden that picked up the cat from them that is what they did. The calf lived-mean old horned hereford mix cow-so they couldn't claim a loss to the state.

Funny on the Raouls Velvet room comment.

What KCKcat posted with the Bobcat wasn't funny and he opened himself up to animal cruelty legal concerns with that. Using live kittens to catch a bobcat when there are multiple other ways to resolve will get people paying attention to you.

[Pete]

I just laugh at all the "reintroduced" bull**** with people these days. I have been surveying carnivores for 3 years now...they are NOT reintroduced!! They are moving through people...and carry a gun b/c of people not wildlife, you are more likely to be murdered by your own species than another.

Next thing you know you people will be like those in Illinois, "there are black panthers here!"...heard it a million times sadly. Oh, and do we not want to save our planet (to the rain forest joke above)??? I mean what idiot is anti-environment, when the environment is what sustains your life?? Moronic?? Yep....

[WillieWatanabe]

what's going on here? 

[Pete]

Does anyone know a reputable HVAC company in KC who can provide a "real" recommendation/solution? Here's what I'm looking for. I've been in this house for 6 years. The AC has always been a problem in that it doesn't keep the house cool. Upstairs is really bad. Last year, we put in a new condensor unit and a new coil, and also put in a zoning system. No real progress. For any day over 85 outside, our HVAC system basically fights a losing battle from 2pm to 2am every day. Upstairs usually reaches 80 degrees by 2pm and doesn't get back down to 73 until about 1-2am. A zoning system doesn't do much good if both zones are open 14 hours a day.

I've done a ton of research over the past week on all things HVAC. I do believe the RIGHT answer is to do a heat gain calculation on the home and rooms to determine the BTU gain, determine if our current AC condenser is sized correctly, determine the CFM requirements of the house/rooms to overcome the heat gain, compare the CFM requirements to our existing duct/furnace-blower system factoring in the static pressure, and then come up with the right answer.

My gut tells me that I have a problem with the upstairs duct work and static pressure, combined with possibly an undersized condenser. Bottom line is that it appears that the BTU heat gain cannot be overcome by the existing "system".

So, I'm looking for an HVAC company who can come in and do a proper analysis to size a proper TOTAL SYSTEM. I don't want a company who just comes in and blindly says "just add another HVAC system for upstairs". That may be the answer, but it should be based on analysis and not some Joe's opinion. I'm willing to pay for such an analysis if necessary, and I know that the CORRECT SOLUTION might cost me another $10k or so. I'm fine with that. I just want a system that works.

I've been with Top Notch for about 4 years, and am not sure if I trust them. Just called "McCormack Heating & Cooling" and they were unhelpful and rude (never will call there again).

Any suggestions from anyone?

[VGibsonLives]

Next thing you know you people will be like those in Illinois, "there are black panthers here!"...

Should be moved to the political board, IMO.    

[gowildcatwildcat]

Does anyone know a reputable HVAC company in KC who can provide a "real" recommendation/solution? Here's what I'm looking for. I've been in this house for 6 years. The AC has always been a problem in that it doesn't keep the house cool. Upstairs is really bad. Last year, we put in a new condensor unit and a new coil, and also put in a zoning system. No real progress. For any day over 85 outside, our HVAC system basically fights a losing battle from 2pm to 2am every day. Upstairs usually reaches 80 degrees by 2pm and doesn't get back down to 73 until about 1-2am. A zoning system doesn't do much good if both zones are open 14 hours a day.

I've done a ton of research over the past week on all things HVAC. I do believe the RIGHT answer is to do a heat gain calculation on the home and rooms to determine the BTU gain, determine if our current AC condenser is sized correctly, determine the CFM requirements of the house/rooms to overcome the heat gain, compare the CFM requirements to our existing duct/furnace-blower system factoring in the static pressure, and then come up with the right answer.

My gut tells me that I have a problem with the upstairs duct work and static pressure, combined with possibly an undersized condenser. Bottom line is that it appears that the BTU heat gain cannot be overcome by the existing "system".

So, I'm looking for an HVAC company who can come in and do a proper analysis to size a proper TOTAL SYSTEM. I don't want a company who just comes in and blindly says "just add another HVAC system for upstairs". That may be the answer, but it should be based on analysis and not some Joe's opinion. I'm willing to pay for such an analysis if necessary, and I know that the CORRECT SOLUTION might cost me another $10k or so. I'm fine with that. I just want a system that works.

I've been with Top Notch for about 4 years, and am not sure if I trust them. Just called "McCormack Heating & Cooling" and they were unhelpful and rude (never will call there again).

Any suggestions from anyone?

[wabash909]

Not to get off topci,  but I'm about to have a new 46" LG LED TV delivered on Thursday. I've had to wait for the installation, because I'm getting some other bells and whistles from Best Buy & they've been backlogged. Just for grinds today I went back in to look at the different TV's just to make sure I was making a good decision, because I was torn between the LG and Sanyo. There was a Sanyo in there with a much better resolution for about $300 bucks more. I could go either way with this, but my question is which is a better product: LG or Sanyo? This is my very first flat panel, so I don't have a clue what to depend on. Thanks for any input.

[bakerman]

They are definitely prevelant in Kansas. We had one in the Medicine Lodge/Harper County area. I saw it in a ditch one night driving home and others saw lots of tracks. Game Warden continually assured that he would know if one was in the area and that there wasn't one. Worked fine for him until a rancher shot it and had it's body to prove it existed. I think they are bringing them in to help control the deer population, which is way out of control in many areas. Now there are starting to be reports of wolves. I mean, everyone down there is used to cyotes and bobcats etc. etc., but they don't really pose the threat that Cougars and Wolves do.

[pissclams]

from june 18

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_kansas/overland_park/bobcats-make-a-home-outside-overland-park-office

[The42Yardstick]

from june 18

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_kansas/overland_park/bobcats-make-a-home-outside-overland-park-office

Bobcats: American heros. Thanks for the heartwarming story, s'clams

[pissclams]

No probs.  Hope the kids don't get eaten.

[KSUBrian]

Does anyone know a reputable HVAC company in KC who can provide a "real" recommendation/solution? Here's what I'm looking for. I've been in this house for 6 years. The AC has always been a problem in that it doesn't keep the house cool. Upstairs is really bad. Last year, we put in a new condensor unit and a new coil, and also put in a zoning system. No real progress. For any day over 85 outside, our HVAC system basically fights a losing battle from 2pm to 2am every day. Upstairs usually reaches 80 degrees by 2pm and doesn't get back down to 73 until about 1-2am. A zoning system doesn't do much good if both zones are open 14 hours a day.

I've done a ton of research over the past week on all things HVAC. I do believe the RIGHT answer is to do a heat gain calculation on the home and rooms to determine the BTU gain, determine if our current AC condenser is sized correctly, determine the CFM requirements of the house/rooms to overcome the heat gain, compare the CFM requirements to our existing duct/furnace-blower system factoring in the static pressure, and then come up with the right answer.

My gut tells me that I have a problem with the upstairs duct work and static pressure, combined with possibly an undersized condenser. Bottom line is that it appears that the BTU heat gain cannot be overcome by the existing "system".

So, I'm looking for an HVAC company who can come in and do a proper analysis to size a proper TOTAL SYSTEM. I don't want a company who just comes in and blindly says "just add another HVAC system for upstairs". That may be the answer, but it should be based on analysis and not some Joe's opinion. I'm willing to pay for such an analysis if necessary, and I know that the CORRECT SOLUTION might cost me another $10k or so. I'm fine with that. I just want a system that works.

I've been with Top Notch for about 4 years, and am not sure if I trust them. Just called "McCormack Heating & Cooling" and they were unhelpful and rude (never will call there again).

Any suggestions from anyone?

McCarty Mechanical in Merriam.  Ask for Tim McCarty.  Graduated from KSU in mid 80's.  Very EMAW.

[KSUBrian]

Not to get off topci,  but I'm about to have a new 46" LG LED TV delivered on Thursday. I've had to wait for the installation, because I'm getting some other bells and whistles from Best Buy & they've been backlogged. Just for grinds today I went back in to look at the different TV's just to make sure I was making a good decision, because I was torn between the LG and Sanyo. There was a Sanyo in there with a much better resolution for about $300 bucks more. I could go either way with this, but my question is which is a better product: LG or Sanyo? This is my very first flat panel, so I don't have a clue what to depend on. Thanks for any input.

My son works at an electronics retailer.  Says go with LG.  Sanyo is crap.

[raquetcat]

When I was in high school I had a friend that saw one in a tree in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood just off seth child road north of Manhattan, seems like a good habitat for mountain lions very wooded, hilly etc. etc.

[DQ12]

Bobcats will not, of course, "eat their own," but they will eat other small animals. We had a bobcat and her babies under our deck. This was particularly troublesome because they were so close to the house. We literally couldn't go outside.

I found my solution on Craigslist. In the upper-left corner of the main page is a heading called "Community." Below that is a link to "Pets." I scrolled down until I found "Free Kitties." The ad said, "We have the cutest little kittens that need a good home." I replied that I'd take all 5 of them and picked them up on my way home from work.

Once home, I waited until dark and then put the kittens in a 3' x 3' cage with a one-way door (in), and then set it about 10 feet from the deck. You can get the cage at Home Depot or Lowe's for about $30.

It wasn't a particularly pleasant sight the next morning, but it worked great. Mama bobcat was captured, and I was surprised by how little of the kitties' "remains" remained. (Them bobcats are voracious!) Of course, I had to "euthanize" (with a hammer) the 4 little members of her litter, but that was no big deal.

[HeinBallz]

Does anyone know a reputable HVAC company in KC who can provide a "real" recommendation/solution? Here's what I'm looking for. I've been in this house for 6 years. The AC has always been a problem in that it doesn't keep the house cool. Upstairs is really bad. Last year, we put in a new condensor unit and a new coil, and also put in a zoning system. No real progress. For any day over 85 outside, our HVAC system basically fights a losing battle from 2pm to 2am every day. Upstairs usually reaches 80 degrees by 2pm and doesn't get back down to 73 until about 1-2am. A zoning system doesn't do much good if both zones are open 14 hours a day.

I've done a ton of research over the past week on all things HVAC. I do believe the RIGHT answer is to do a heat gain calculation on the home and rooms to determine the BTU gain, determine if our current AC condenser is sized correctly, determine the CFM requirements of the house/rooms to overcome the heat gain, compare the CFM requirements to our existing duct/furnace-blower system factoring in the static pressure, and then come up with the right answer.

My gut tells me that I have a problem with the upstairs duct work and static pressure, combined with possibly an undersized condenser. Bottom line is that it appears that the BTU heat gain cannot be overcome by the existing "system".

So, I'm looking for an HVAC company who can come in and do a proper analysis to size a proper TOTAL SYSTEM. I don't want a company who just comes in and blindly says "just add another HVAC system for upstairs". That may be the answer, but it should be based on analysis and not some Joe's opinion. I'm willing to pay for such an analysis if necessary, and I know that the CORRECT SOLUTION might cost me another $10k or so. I'm fine with that. I just want a system that works.

I've been with Top Notch for about 4 years, and am not sure if I trust them. Just called "McCormack Heating & Cooling" and they were unhelpful and rude (never will call there again).

Any suggestions from anyone?

I have no clue how this relates to mountain lions; but it sounds more like you have an insulation problem with shitty windows.   Insulate the crap out of your attic & Install Low-E glass windows.   Will pay for itself within two full years.

[HeinBallz]

but back to mountain lions.  Kansas is actually their original habitat and they were killed off & pushed out by cattle farmers.   They're not being re-introduced; they're just coming back.   Animals migrate.   40 years ago, you would have never seen a white tail deer.   

FWIW, I've seen a Mountain lion out at El Dorado.   Unmistakable.   Had the long hooked tail and easily over 100#'s.

[Festus the Purple Swan]

fyi

a bobcat is the male version of a cougar

[Dugout DickStone]

I once found a real WWII era German Luftwafa helmet just in the middle of the woods by my Uncle's old farmstead.