As a rockhound, I usually spend every Thanksgiving and Christmas in Study Butte Tx on the western edge of Big Bend National Park. While out looking for rocks I see lots of wild game. Several times we have seen cats. Two years ago my buddy and I were up about 7500 feet walking the edge of a sheer cliff that went up about 200 feet. As we walked along, heads down looking for rocks (and snakes) I caught a movement to my left, I looked up just in time to see a mother and two cubs running away from us. The mother ran about 40-50 yards and climbed up on a big rock waiting for the cubs. I guess she didn't think we were a threat, she waited for the cubs, they climbed up on the rock with her and all three sat there for what seemed like an hour. They slid off the rock and disappeared. We looked at the side of the sheer cliff and there was a large cave like opening, I guess that was their den.
From where we were, I could see my pick-up parked at the bottom, it looked like a match box. I reached for my .357 and realized it and my camera were in the truck. The gun would not have helped if I had needed it. I had always carryed shot shells in it for snakes, but now its loaded with 2 shot shells and three 158gar HP bullets, and a few in my pocket. Not much of a gun for big cats, but I need to stay light for hauling rocks out, and its a better weapon than my rock hammer.
I have land about 18 miles west of Abilene Tx, two were killed on the property next to mine opening day of deer season about five-six years ago. Last year my son seen one at daylight opening day of deer season. Its kind funny, I've seen six-eight in my travels, but the ninety year old man on the property next to mine has never seen one. He has lived in the area all his life except for the two years he was away during WW II.
They are fair game here in Texas, but I don't think I would kill one unless it were causing problems like killing stock. We also have a lot of ringtail cats in this area, I don't bother them either. Bobcats, that another story.
