BIG CAT: It’s been awhile since anyone has reported seeing a
mountain lion but we have one today.
Lori Charnisky of Bradford writes, “My husband Chuck and I were
on our motorcycle Sunday on Route 321 approximately three miles
from the Ranger Station. What we believe to be a mountain lion
crossed the road about 50-75 feet ahead of us and went under the
guardrail.”
“It was tawny colored with a long, dark-tipped tail. We pulled
over and saw it about to come back across the roadway but a car was
coming the other way and it went back into the woods. We are just
wondering if anyone else has seen a big cat in the same area?”
You know, we have heard informally about a mountain lion
reported not far from this location.
Anyone else?
RATTLER: We have written about rattlesnakes this year in Cameron
and Elk counties, passing along a bit of local lore that such
vipers do not live in and around Bradford.
Au contraire! according to Thomas Raught of Rixford.
He writes, “On the night of the Big 30 game in August 1983, I
saw a large rattlesnake crossing Bolivar Drive. It was the only one
I have ever seen in the wild.”
“I would estimate it at about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and 40
to 48 inches long. I chose not to run over it and stopped so my
kids could hear what one sounds like when it rattles.
“Within minutes, there was quite a large crowd stopped to look
at the snake.
“One guy threaten to shoot it, but a local resident that handled
snakes saved it.
“I don’t know the handler’s name but he saved this rare
specimen. I have no idea what he did with the snake but he did say
that it was not one of his collection and he had no idea where it
came from.
“If I remember correctly, August 1983 was also a very dry period
and the rattler came up out of the weeds along the creek bed.”
The “natural” instinct is to kill a rattlesnake but we agree
with Mr. Raught and feel even rattlers should be spared –
especially rattlesnakes, perhaps. Like most wild things, if you
leave them alone, they will probably leave you alone. Just give
them a wide berth!
