Big cats in south texas?

[Bearkiller]

My sister in law was just driving west of three rivers this AM and had a "leopard" run across the road the road in front of her. I'm sure it was probably a jaguar if anything. She's what I would consider a pretty reliable source and wouldn't be prone to make anything up. I would believe her, the only doubts would be if it was maybe a cougar instead. She's probably never seen either before, other than pictures. I'm trying to get more info.

[Mike Leonard]

I would guess big ocelot but if not more likley a leopard than a jaguar. So many excotic game folks down there and some of them get big cats but occasionaly one will go for a little stroll. LOL!

[Shorty]

Yes there are Lions in and around George West, Tx. There are also Ocelet although there are very few. I'd have to say that it was most likely a Bobcat. These are the most common down here and they are often times mistaken for lion, ocelet, jaguar or the infamous black panther. My father inlaw is was raised in this country and last year shot a bobcat that he first mistook for a lion. These cats although aren't the biggest can be very tall and lengthy.

That being said I wouldn't be surprised if she saw a lion. I do know of one lion that has taken up residence right in Three Rivers which is next to George West. PM me and I'll give you my number. If she ever see's one again I'd be glad to go check it out.

[Bearkiller]

Yeah, I know there are lions around there. I went and hunted a place just outside of 3 rivers 8 years or so ago that had a lion on a trail cam. The picture was 2 weeks old when I went and the guy got pissed that my dogs didn't catch the lion the first time(only time) we went. I tried explaining that it was probably long gone although he remained convinced it was living there. I only had one dog that had ever been on a lion at that point but they definately would have caught had there been a fresh track. We ended up catching 2 coons before we gave up. It was right on the Nueces river. If I would have realized the predator hunting potential there i would probably still live there (south texas). I really had a hard time getting people to let hound doggers hunt their places. I don't know how you guys do it, unless you have some big ranches.