[GoHawks!]

I am a night owl and enjoy walking in the evenings between 10 and 11 pm. I find it to be cool, quiet, and peaceful. I have been noticing on several sites that people have been seeing bobcats or panthers at night around The Villages. I would like some opinions about how safe it is to walk after dark. Thank you.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by GoHawks!

I am a night owl and enjoy walking in the evenings between 10 and 11 pm. I find it to be cool, quiet, and peaceful. I have been noticing on several sites that people have been seeing bobcats or panthers at night around The Villages. I would like some opinions about how safe it is to walk after dark. Thank you.

I haven’t seen any……..it’s safe.
Carry a big stick!

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by GoHawks!

I am a night owl and enjoy walking in the evenings between 10 and 11 pm. I find it to be cool, quiet, and peaceful. I have been noticing on several sites that people have been seeing bobcats or panthers at night around The Villages. I would like some opinions about how safe it is to walk after dark. Thank you.

No worries, it is safe. These animals won't attack you unless you corner them and put them in a position where they need to defend themselves. Humans are not on their menu, but small dogs and cats are, so watch out if you are walking on of these. We have a family of bobcats that live in the preserve behind our house and we see them often walking on the top rung of the fence to get an elevated vantage point so they can pounce on small critters for a snack. We love watching them and never worry about them as our dog is bigger than the bobcats. One of them is a three legged bobcat, probably got one of its legs chomped off by a gator in the preserve. The only critter I worry about in the Villages (except for obnoxious humans) are the aggressive and poisonous cotton mouth/water moccasin snakes that live in the swampy preserve. Our lawn guy has had to get away from a couple while mowing on the fence line during the warm and wet season.

[Stu from NYC]

Not many sidewalks where we live so to me the biggest worry is getting hit by car or golf cart.

Where a light color or something reflective.

[Mortal1]

Wear light colors, carry a flashlight, you have a phone(carry it). As to the person who says panthers(pumas or mtn. lions)will not attack humans except when cornered....that simply is not true. They are unpredictable and have been known to attack people in broad daylight. Some people know not what they say.

Is it safe? Never really has been...anywhere...but it's safer here than most places. Worried about wild animals? Stay away from wooded areas...carry a whistle.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by GoHawks!

I am a night owl and enjoy walking in the evenings between 10 and 11 pm. I find it to be cool, quiet, and peaceful. I have been noticing on several sites that people have been seeing bobcats or panthers at night around The Villages. I would like some opinions about how safe it is to walk after dark. Thank you.

I would be more concerned about drunks in golf carts AND Cars than wild animals. Make sure you’re lite up like Xmas tree and be ready to get off the path or street. Now if walking on wilderness trails some concern with wildlife, like snakes, gators, and the rare Jaguar that are nocturnal. I don’t think bobcat would Bother human. If walking in residential neighborhood little concern wildlife.

[JMintzer]

Carry pepper spray if you're concerned...

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Carry pepper spray if you're concerned...

Or 38

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Mortal1

Wear light colors, carry a flashlight, you have a phone(carry it). As to the person who says panthers(pumas or mtn. lions)will not attack humans except when cornered....that simply is not true. They are unpredictable and have been known to attack people in broad daylight. Some people know not what they say.

Is it safe? Never really has been...anywhere...but it's safer here than most places. Worried about wild animals? Stay away from wooded areas...carry a whistle.

A Panther would never attack a manly kind of man, but perhaps they would pounce when they suspect the vulnerability of someone with a Napoleon complex?

[mikreb]

[stanley]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Or 38

I prefer 9mm myself.............To me it's like Mastercard...never leave home without it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Bobcats are timid creatures who really don't like people at all. They'll avoid you, unless you corner them.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Carry pepper spray if you're concerned...

I do not claim to be an expert but I believe under Florida law you need a concealed carry permit for pepper spray.

[stanley]

Originally Posted by DAVES

I do not claim to be an expert but I believe under Florida law you need a concealed carry permit for pepper spray.

No..no..no..no..no

[RICH1]

It's a Good time to return the Casserole dishes!