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A few years ago there was a huge debate over whether or not there were mountain lions in this area. I will have to say that I am convinced there are.  Although I have not seen a big cat myself, I know a few people who have.  I know others who have seen tracks.  Last fall Jon Wisthoff and I were looking for a place to camp.  We found a good spot straight across the coulee from our house near this tree.  The one side is all clawed up.  I do not know what else could have made these claw marks but a mountain lion.  A few days later Ruth and I walked across the coulee and I took this picture.  I know that mountain lions are more afraid of me than I should be of them.  However, I notice that I tend to look over my shoulder more these days when I am hiking in the coulee.

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