NFT: Mountain Lion in my yard

in Seattle, he'd know what to do

What to do? Throw orthotics at it?

Do you want to shoot the bears as well?

I love people who move to areas like that then complain about the wildlife.

It's part of living there

I've had mountain lions, wolves and bears in my yard. Mountain lions are the scariest because they will attack a small human if they are desperate enough. That having been said, just don't let your daughter play alone in the yard. You are living in the mountain lion's territory, not the other way around. You need to respect his right to be there. Just take normal precautions. If you get a gun, get a bean bag gun. He'll get the message.

Clearly, those guards at the gate are not doing their jobs if they're letting unescorted lions in without an appointment.

a predator killing deer in a gated community isn't like living the woods somewhere. I'm surprised that the gaming people were so dismissive about it.

this coming from pretty much a city guy.

I've never had this particular issue. Best of luck, try not to piss it off.

I hope you don't mind if I hijack your thread?

We've lost some chickens to a fox this season and so we've had them on lockdown and let them out when we're around. My cat has been missing about 4 days now and I presume it dead but trying to figure out who the culprit might be--we have confirmation of at least 3 other cats missing in neighborhood.

Wildlife in area:

Fox
Coyote
Coywolf/Wolf
Black Bear
No sasquatches (YET)

Is a fox taking a cat likely?

get a gun and kill it and there should be little hesitation.

It sounds like they were simply telling you to just make sure to make it clear you were in danger at the time of the shooting.

i think you mean "YETI"

Brett will start your appreciation thread once the proper notifications have been made.

the coyote is more likely than the fox.

would have been nice. Just sayin.

In comment 11780083 steve in ky said:

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the coyote is more likely than the fox.

agreed (and sorry for the missing kitty, that sucks).

coyote also.

In comment 11780094 Les in TO said:

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In comment 11780083 steve in ky said: Quote: the coyote is more likely than the fox. agreed (and sorry for the missing kitty, that sucks).

Thanks. Fucking shitty way to go is what gets me.

did weigh in - he said to shoot it.

I am not trying to be a jerk but you gotta expect wild animals if you live around where they live. having said this, its obvious you really don't want one wandering around the garden every morning.

The trick is what to do with this little guy. Getting a rifle(needs to be high powered)doesn't seem like a good idea. The round carries for a ways and you don't want any accidents.

The lion may just be passing through but they will stick around for food and water. Since you guys are dealing with a drought like we recently did this may be something to look at.

Make sure it has no access to anything! Nothing to eat or drink. Try bright lights(flashing lights work better). A very loud dog is great, but don't let the dog loose because the last thing you want is them fighting in your yard. If you see it make it uncomfortable(in a safe way). Try blowing an air horn slamming the door a few times, anything to make it think I shouldn't be here.

The chance of an attack is small but it is there. Especially if you surprise it. Don't run(it will chase). Face it, look right out it and be commanding. Chunk a large rock or anything. Honestly, it doesn't want trouble anymore than you do.

The real problem is they can come down and get trash and not have to hunt. Friends in New Mexico are always telling me how the big cats will wander down and the "hipsters"(is this politically incorrect?)will think they are awesome and start leaving out food. Well they will never leave if you do this!

probably coyote or wolf.

If you get a gun, get a bean bag gun. He'll get the message

Maybe have something with real bullets handy too. Just in case plan A doesn't work out so well.

foxes are actually pretty awesome!

Dogs, my friend, are your best bet. A nice loud dog will solve a lot of wildlife problems but please train it right. This protects the dog, the wildlife, and you.

Elliott Ness.

.

If you have a gun and since it sounds like an ongoing problem you may want to consider getting something like this and see if you can't thin out their population, at least the most aggressive ones. If nothing else if done periodically you may make them a little more scared to come into your place as readily.

Set it up, watch the wind direction, use some scent block and maybe wear some camo if you have some and maybe sit up against a tree to block your silhouette.



Super Critter Decoy - ( New Window )

to smash it with a shovel or to put it in your freezer for 3 days.

We only have coyotes in Hackensack.

.

deserves a Darwin Award-winning incident.

It is a most un-hip thing to do, as it ultimately endangers the animals by removing their fear of human beings.

foxes eat cats, and rabbits, and rodents and chickens - among other non meats.

my barber has a chicken coop and foxes ate his chickens - he was curious what it was and sent up a motion sensor video camera. Very clear it was the foxes.

cool stuff to see (not the slaughter of the chickens by the fox, the camera/technology)

It a mountain lion, puma, cougar or panther?

LOL, you trickster you.

like a Great Pyranees, but only if you have a fairly large property with a perimeter the Pyr can patrol. They are very good at keeping the coyotes and other predators away.

An Anatolian Shepherd dog can be very effective as well, but they need a firm and experienced hand as they can be a bit tougher to train than a Pyr. Pyrs make a nice transition from working dog to family companion, and they're good with visitors once you make it clear that this person is okay.

They do have a formidable WOOF!

There are some reasonably priced game cams that use motion sensors and will capture a nice photo. I have three of them and they are simple to use.

Randy get yourself a couple of cam cams and place them to where you will see what is coming into your place and at what times (it will record date and time for you). You can then better plan how to get rid them.

loaded with a slug. A rifle is too dangerous around people but a shotgun has enough killing power for a lion without the big risk of ricochet.

Just asinine. As schnitzie says, it's bad for the cats as well as very dangerous for the humans.

Fortunately all we have around us are a couple of hawks nesting in a tree in our backyard and the occasional copperhead.

In comment 11780072 Randy in CT said:

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We've lost some chickens to a fox this season and so we've had them on lockdown and let them out when we're around. My cat has been missing about 4 days Wildlife in area: Fox Coyote Coywolf/Wolf Black Bear No sasquatches (YET) Is a fox taking a cat likely?

Coyote would be the likeliest then the fox IMO for the cat. I would never rule out birds either, not common but Owls and Eagles can and will easily take down a cat. A fox could easily kill a cat, it just would be much harder than what it usually kills - rabbits, mice, gophers, chickens, etc...

As for Capone and the mountain lion, I know that normally what would happen is exactly what he is saying he would do (shoot it and bury the evidence). It happens all the time with Bears, wolves, coyotes, and basically any predator that the average joe thinks gets too close for comfort. In a gated community a high power rifle would be an asinine thing to do, pretty much any gunfire would be. If it is scavenging garbage or being fed in any way by people the animal should be destroyed, if not leave it be.

Now I wouldn't personally kill it unless it started hanging around the yard constantly or getting aggressive but if I had kids I'm sure it would be a very different scenario.

Yeah, we have 2 dogs--a large Pit and a small cattle dog/chupacabra. When they are out I feel that nothing would come near the yard.

I lean towards coyote as well for the cat but had to chase off the damned fox when he was raiding chickens.

I have a big hulk of a foster cat, a Silver & Black Tabby American Short Hair. 15 pounds of love. Not into playing; has to stay inside, as he has no hunting skills whatsoever. But he LOVES humans and attention.

His name is Henry, aka Hank the Hunk. I can have him flown to you via Pilots & Paws.

and normally it's pretty rare that Mountain Lions make it into an actual community. They're shy animals by nature so that's probably why the authorities were so dismissive of the problem. I know if you encounter them you're suppose to stand your ground and throw rocks at them. Whatever you do, do not run. I would shoot it with a paint ball gun first. If it doesn't get the message you may need to up your game.

that would also apply to most other wildlife problems. Have to make them uncomfortable around people and their residences.

Randy if your cat did indeed meet it's demise my condolences there's just a good a chance that it died from human action intentional or unintentional(car accident) as by wildlife but coyotes do eat cat more often than you think since cats and coyotes tend to be active at the same time of day(night).

I don't know if I'd choose the mountain lion or the giant toad that sweats toxins.

The city people that say, "you moved into his yard!" Ummmm whatever big city you live in USED to have animals (and people but that's another topic)
that lived there at one point....don't hurt yourself falling off your high horse.

But I digress, I grew up in a small mountain community in the mountains of Southern NM. Pretty rural spot, but had houses spread out throughout the mountain. I used to run the canyon everyday, until a Ranger stopped me one day and said a lion was reported to be stalking people in the area.

I can honestly say there a few things more creepy feeling than running with dense trees all around you and feeling "watched or hunted"

Nothing happened to me, but a young boy was taken clean off his bike 2 weeks later....by the cat. Luckily his Dad was close and scared the lion off, but the kid would've been killed 100%. Mountain lions DO NOT F around. They are known to attack the face first to disable, then straight to the throat to "choke you to death with their teeth"

Another time in Albuquerque NM, we took out kids up for the weekend, my son got really sick and we had to take him to ER. When we're waiting, in bursts a man with blood all over him, screaming "where's my son!!", turns out they were hiking in the Sandia Mountains earlier....his 9 year old son got a bit ahead of them on the trail. Man hears the child screams, and runs to him.....only to see a lion dragging him off the trail....by his head.

The kid lived, but was completely chewed up and disfigured...again, father scared lion off in time.

Sorry for the long post, but in times of drought or limited food supply these cats will come into the "human ring". Obviously moving into their ring increases your contact... Cue the shit talkers....and....go...

Now the good news is that it would take a super desperate lion to attack a full grown man, but it is a FACT that kids are a target they are more than willing to confront.

As a father of 3 kids 10 and under, I would take immediate action. I grew up with nature and love animals ( have never hunted or killed anything) but regardless of where you live, your #1 priority is to protect your family.

I would shoot the cat on sight, and call the ranger ASAP. Don't leave or look for it, but if you see it in your yard or close, shoot that animal.

In the meantime, be especially watchful and careful of your kids being outside at anytime alone.

Good luck man!

cougar walk up to their door? Me not so much- a cougar for me would be about 80 years old.

Bringing the funny!

In comment 11780218 schnitzie said:

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I have a big hulk of a foster cat, a Silver & Black Tabby American Short Hair. 15 pounds of love. Not into playing; has to stay inside, as he has no hunting skills whatsoever. But he LOVES humans and attention. His name is Henry, aka Hank the Hunk. I can have him flown to you via Pilots & Paws.

Thanks, schnitzie. If/when the time comes, we'll look your way.

said don't pick up a rock because the moment you "get small" to pick it up you are at risk. they said don't startle the animal by running out of the house. they said if you and your neighbors have seen it 5 times he has seen you 500 times. She is pretty shook up even this morning wouldn't leave the house. people have taken picture of this thing walking down the street - its crazy. I don't live in a very rural area but there is open land just a mile away as is a Honda dealer, subway shop etc.

In comment 11780342 capone said:

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said don't pick up a rock because the moment you "get small" to pick it up you are at risk. they said don't startle the animal by running out of the house. they said if you and your neighbors have seen it 5 times he has seen you 500 times. She is pretty shook up even this morning wouldn't leave the house. people have taken picture of this thing walking down the street - its crazy. I don't live in a very rural area but there is open land just a mile away as is a Honda dealer, subway shop etc.

As an animal lover I say this with peace and love, peace and LOVE. For a while, I'd always have something with me if I were you. Air horn, knife...something. And I don't mess around when discussing my kids and potential wild animal invading our space. A gun should be discussed. BTW, out yard is fenced in but the fox jumped over the 4 foot high part. Next part of the project is continuing the 6' stockade in its place.

capone, you have a fence? You might want to seriously consider.

Could be a fox though. We've had foxes take out a couple of neighborhood cats over the last few years. I'm in CT as well.

I also disagree w/ a lot of the sentiment around here. Something comes into the moutain lion den and the moutain lion kills it. Moutain lion comes into my den - and my den also has my children - I sure as F plan on killing it or finding some way to get rid of it. It's an animal - we're human.

The foxes were already on my shit list because of the chickens.

and even if they did it would be very expensive and make my house look like a prison. I am borrowing a shotgun from my friend and will load 2 bean bags and the rest slugs. Will also carry a 9mm - all the sightings have been late afternoon so I'm going out the next few days looking for him- enufs enuf

Not surprised at all by the response of the Wildlife and Gaming people.

The problem with getting a gun is that mountain lions are tough to shoot. Most likely, you will not get a kill-shot unless she is charging you. Instead, you will wound her and there is nothing more dangerous on the planet earth than a wounded lion. You would have to call in experts to make sure the lion was dead and then you would be in big trouble legally.

I'd get a gun but would not shoot unless it was a life threatening situation. Just having the gun will make you feel safe.

Also, be careful because mountain lions hunt in pairs. So, while you are looking at one of them, the other one is sneaking up behind you. They kill by getting you in the neck from behind. You want to have your back against a good thick tree.

I know a guy who was attacked by a mountain lion. She sprang and he was able to fight her off with a thick branch he had picked up. He started hollering for his brother and and when his brother came running down yelling his head off, the lion ran off. All he had were some scratches. The lesson of the story is don't be alone in mountain lion territory.

This was right below Half Moon Bay. The guy was a cop and was berry picking with his brother. So, don't believe the crap about lion attacks not happening. They do happen. Not frequently but they do happen.

In comment 11780342 capone said:

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said don't pick up a rock because the moment you "get small" to pick it up you are at risk. they said don't startle the animal by running out of the house. they said if you and your neighbors have seen it 5 times he has seen you 500 times. She is pretty shook up even this morning wouldn't leave the house. people have taken picture of this thing walking down the street - its crazy. I don't live in a very rural area but there is open land just a mile away as is a Honda dealer, subway shop etc.

capone, I always try to find a way to let wildlife just be wildlife. With me, when I lived in rural areas, it was always with the dogs. However, if this animal is settling in and getting comfortable, and if the noise/lights/movement ideas fail to achieve good results, don't discount a weapon.

Only you can decide if it becomes aggressive enough to warrant this action.

you can also install motion-sensitive lighting and perhaps a game cam to see what's happening where.

I'm going the game-cam route to see what's around the yard at night.

I'm sure it would work on a big cat. The trick would be hitting it since they're so fast and agile.

and he was on eastern time - got up really early to drink his coffee on the front steps and the thing walked right through my yard .. it pisses me off that I have not seen it but I am long past the idea that people are mistaken , dreaming it up , confusing it with a dog etc

Just last night I went outside to throw away some garbage (maybe 11PM). I'm walking through my yard and 3 coyotes start barking or whining or whatever it's called. Felt like they were no more than 20 feet away from me. I remember being told to walk away all calm like if you encounter coyotes. I on the other hand ran like a school girl into my house. A pack of coyotes? C-ya!

But this thread is terrifying to me.

That was frightening enough. A mountain lion twice as big as that bobcat? Yikes.

In comment 11780408 Micko said:

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Just last night I went outside to throw away some garbage (maybe 11PM). I'm walking through my yard and 3 coyotes start barking or whining or whatever it's called. Felt like they were no more than 20 feet away from me. I remember being told to walk away all calm like if you encounter coyotes. I on the other hand ran like a school girl into my house. A pack of coyotes? C-ya!

Nice. You should hear a fox calling (presumably its cubs or mate). Never heard anything like it.

to shoot it, well shoot it.

Apparently it has found good hunting and has claimed the area as it's own.

Randy, a coyote. You haven't coon and foxed proofed your hen house yet? Don't be lazy. Actually shut the door every night and open it in the morning.

In comment 11780430 ctc in ftmyers said:

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to shoot it, well shoot it. Apparently it has found good hunting and has claimed the area as it's own. Randy, a coyote. You haven't coon and foxed proofed your hen house yet? Don't be lazy. Actually shut the door every night and open it in the morning.

Yes, the coop is completely safe. Where we got lazy was sometimes shutting access to it. Fox looked for an opening and found it.

how that happens. :)

In comment 11780421 Randy in CT said:

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In comment 11780408 Micko said: Quote: Just last night I went outside to throw away some garbage (maybe 11PM). I'm walking through my yard and 3 coyotes start barking or whining or whatever it's called. Felt like they were no more than 20 feet away from me. I remember being told to walk away all calm like if you encounter coyotes. I on the other hand ran like a school girl into my house. A pack of coyotes? C-ya! Nice. You should hear a fox calling (presumably its cubs or mate). Never heard anything like it.

Again, I like foxes, but a crying fox in the middle of the night, or a bobcat wailing, will set your hair on end!

A mountain lion in the dark...with their low kinda rumbling growl will make you sit up and start paying attention real quick.

but chickens they would be afraid of.

In comment 11780439 ctc in ftmyers said:

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how that happens. :)

Let my fucking guard down!

In comment 11780443 okiegiant said:

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In comment 11780421 Randy in CT said: Quote: In comment 11780408 Micko said: Quote: Just last night I went outside to throw away some garbage (maybe 11PM). I'm walking through my yard and 3 coyotes start barking or whining or whatever it's called. Felt like they were no more than 20 feet away from me. I remember being told to walk away all calm like if you encounter coyotes. I on the other hand ran like a school girl into my house. A pack of coyotes? C-ya! Nice. You should hear a fox calling (presumably its cubs or mate). Never heard anything like it. Again, I like foxes, but a crying fox in the middle of the night, or a bobcat wailing, will set your hair on end! A mountain lion in the dark...with their low kinda rumbling growl will make you sit up and start paying attention real quick.

Fisher cats too sound pretty creepy. Why do I live in the woods again?

and usually they are just moving through and are most active at dawn and dusk. Noise and staying in open spaces helps as they like to stalk and surprise. I have children, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks and have not had a problem with the cougars - raccoons and coyotes are a far bigger issue.

I am not aware of them hunting in pairs in either suburbia or the wild, mountain lions are solitary animals that do not form packs or prides. They do have a huge roam radius so chances are that it will leave at some point. Washington Fish and Game has a good primer on encounters...link below.
Cougars...the feline kind - ( New Window )

just think, you have chickens, and you can go out and take a whiz at night without getting arrested. Really, does it get much better than that?

Yeah, I didn't think mountain lions hunted in twos either. He's thinking of velociraptors.

Randy
Link - ( New Window )

but I haven't seen one of those around here since maybe the 70's? I don't honestly remember the year...but I remember it was back when I was drinking heavily.

In comment 11780496 okiegiant said:

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but I haven't seen one of those around here since maybe the 70's? I don't honestly remember the year...but I remember it was back when I was drinking heavily.

They slice you here and here! Your entrails spill out. Point is...you are still alive when they are eating you...

In comment 11780494 buford said:

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Randy Link - ( New Window )

That was pretty cute.

guhl...

I'd shoot it without hesitation but I would also let the authorities know immediately and tell them your family was in danger. I understand those arguing your in their habitat and hopefully he moves on but he's already killed there so odds are against it. But make sure you tell the authorities immediately. I had a rattlesnake in the field next to us last year and I got my shotgun and took care of it I called the cops told them I had a dog that goes out plus other dogs on neighborhood and some of the neighbors have small children. COps came and took a statement and aid I did the right thing. Turns out at least 2 neighbors called as well. When they found out why they thanked me and and older lady naked me a pie. They also did of I didn't call them I could of been in some trouble

In comment 11780522 eli4life said:

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I'd shoot it without hesitation but I would also let the authorities know immediately and tell them your family was in danger. I understand those arguing your in their habitat and hopefully he moves on but he's already killed there so odds are against it. But make sure you tell the authorities immediately.

I'm not saying you didn't do right or this wouldn't work out in a lot of places. But... I would never ever alert authorities.

Kill it and bury it deep. The last thing I want is a green conservation or police officer making my life hell over protecting myself or others.

the old lade naked me a pie? holy crap ! pics or GTFO

kittens stay with their mothers for a long time.

maybe Conn and Okl mountain lions don't hunt together, but if you are in CA and you encounter a mountain lion, trust me, you should keep your back protected and keep your eyes on the lion in front of you.

And no, I'm not testing out a story to see if you guys think I should turn this into a screenplay...You remember when I started a thread about the new neighbors who were never home (renters) and there were weird smells so we were paranoid about them using the house as a meth lab or something (yes, we loved Breaking Bad).

So, cat missing since last Sunday. I put out flyers Tuesday. I get a call 5 hours ago, "Randy? Hi, this is **** next door and I think we have your cat!"

So she brought her to the vet (no charge for some reason) and had her at the house all week? Again, several people around here lost their cats recently (including the landlord of these assmonkeys!)

Did I land in Bizarro world because for the life of me I'd like to be gracious to these fucknuts for returning my cat but why not KNOCK ON MY DOOR TO SEE IF I'M MISSING A CAT before taking it to the vet (everything was fine, apparently, btw)...Why go through all that trouble and not ask the neighbors??

I am more angry than grateful.

Bring it on fuckers! :)

the entire county of cougar? They're there, so killing this one will just give you a false sense of security. You're just one of the relative few who actually see these.

Unless you're familiar with, and proficient with, guns, you shouldn't go that route. you don't want a wounded cougar, or a neighbor with a hole in his house.

So they're supposed to go knocking door to door hoping it's one of the neighbors cats? As soon as they saw your flyer they called you. And they took your cat to the vet.

What the fuck are you complaining about?

put up posters to see if anyone is missing them.

In comment 11782650 buford said:

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put up posters to see if anyone is missing them.

It is customary to make posters and walk around town posting them if you find a pet?

In comment 11782619 Randy in CT said:

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And no, I'm not testing out a story to see if you guys think I should turn this into a screenplay...You remember when I started a thread about the new neighbors who were never home (renters) and there were weird smells so we were paranoid about them using the house as a meth lab or something (yes, we loved Breaking Bad). So, cat missing since last Sunday. I put out flyers Tuesday. I get a call 5 hours ago, "Randy? Hi, this is **** next door and I think we have your cat!" So she brought her to the vet (no charge for some reason) and had her at the house all week? Again, several people around here lost their cats recently (including the landlord of these assmonkeys!) Did I land in Bizarro world because for the life of me I'd like to be gracious to these fucknuts for returning my cat but why not KNOCK ON MY DOOR TO SEE IF I'M MISSING A CAT before taking it to the vet (everything was fine, apparently, btw)...Why go through all that trouble and not ask the neighbors?? I am more angry than grateful. Bring it on fuckers! :)

Glad your family has it pet back.

What ever did come from those neighbors? Did they assimilate into normal neighbors or still the same? Did you ever find out what the story behind it was?

yes, have you ever seen 'Found Dog or Cat' posters? Also, now there are plenty of websites where you can search for lost cats and dogs. I would have gone that route before I took a cat that showed up in my yard to the vet and kept it in the house for a week.

and why not knock on our door?

Steve, they still have the strange lifestyle of the house being seemingly empty for a few days at a time. No, they are not "normal".

Love Thy Neighbor stuff? Seems like you're breaking one of Joey's commandments.

Gotta love the crowd giving the advice to leave the animal alone. Hey, maybe you can pet it some day!

Get a shotgun and shoot the thing. It's become a threat. Survival of the fittest .. or something like that.

I'm not a hunter and I don't like killing animals, but this is an easy call when your children are at risk.

my cat?

Got those annoying stickers in my clothes - but no lion sightings - I have a shotgun with bean bags and a rifle ready to go as needed .. My daughter was hoping we could trap it and give it to the zoo so she could visit it - now she's crying that I may shoot it - should have had all boys she's a pain in the ass

In comment 11783258 capone said:

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Got those annoying stickers in my clothes - but no lion sightings - I have a shotgun with bean bags and a rifle ready to go as needed .. My daughter was hoping we could trap it and give it to the zoo so she could visit it - now she's crying that I may shoot it - should have had all boys she's a pain in the ass

lmao, love this post.

Good luck buddy.