Mountain Lion Sighted On Trail Camera In Osage County

Hunting is a hobby for many Oklahomans during the fall.

It's a passion Michael Furgerson shares with his nine-year-old son.

"Pretty much every weekend during deer season," he said. 

Furgerson has a trail camera set up on his property to keep an eye on his deer feeder, but it's not just deer that are stepping in front of the camera.

"It's kind of a big surprise," said Furgerson. 

He caught a picture of a mountain lion on Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 2023, just after 7:30 p.m.

"I've seen them in the years past in person, farther north than Osage County, but never on this place," Furgerson said. 

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said it was the 15th confirmed mountain lion sighting in Oklahoma for the year, but pictures shared with us from other properties in that same area show that the number could grow.

"Technology has gotten cheaper, people have been able to buy more trail cameras and have more reliable trail cameras, we've really started to see an uptick," said Senior Biologist Jerrod Davis. 

Now that Furgerson has come across the big cat, he came up with a new game plan, not only for his safety, but for his son.

"Just be a little more aware of my surroundings, kind of pay a little more close attention."

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said people shouldn't be worried about these sightings because mountain lions don't see people as prey. It is also illegal to hunt and kill mountain lions unless they are actively trying to hurt you, another person, or a pet.