Do Not Open the Door.

[Taltarzac725]

Panther photographed on Lee County porch - Fox 4 Now WFTX Fort Myers/Cape Coral (http://www.fox4now.com/news/panther-photographed-on-lee-county-porch)

This is why I carry a very big stick when walking at night. And a few golf balls in pockets when walking during the day.

I have never seen one of these though during the almost twenty years we have been in Central Florida. It will be twenty come June 2016.

[John_W]

They say Florida Panthers don't come this far north, but here is a motion-sensor camera photo taken about 20 miles east of Gainesville at 2am. We can probably agree that the wild bore is no longer with us. I also noticed everytime someone mentions wild bores around Heron Executive, there is also others reporting panthers in the area. Then others will say, you won't see Florida Panthers this far north, and anyway there is less than 200 left.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BXIHzN0CUAAFiuk.jpg

[redwitch]

Great picture. Maybe they're Georgia panthers who have traveled south? Just kidding in case someone thinks I'm serious.

[Carl in Tampa]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the National Park Service all say there have been no panther attacks on humans in Florida.

Nonetheless, they provide a poster which tells how to behave if you encounter a panther. It is at http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/panther_safety%20tips.pdf .

I have hunted in Central Florida, including Sumter County, for decades without encountering panther sign.

However, Taltarzac725's "big stick" idea is not a bad one. You are much more likely to encounter a coyote in The Villages at night than a panther.

John W mentions wild "bores" around Heron Landing. I have encountered bores all over The Villages, but so far no boars.

My hunting partner since the 1950s, who grew up and hunted in the area which is now The Villages, is on the right in the photo below. The boar was killed in Dixie County, Florida, in swamplands.

[John_W]

John W mentions wild "bores" around Heron Landing. I have encountered bores all over The Villages, but so far no boars.

You got me there.:mornincoffee: Here are some older boars threads.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/pack-wild-pigs-digging-heron-golf-course-111306/?highlight=boars

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/wild-boar-oh-my-141162/?highlight=boars

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/there-were-some-real-pigs-pelican-morning-152092/?highlight=panthers

http://i60.tinypic.com/35c3go4.jpg