A breeding population of mountain lions just showed up 100 miles from the Arkansas border...that changes everything.
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Arkansas' large carnivore coordinator Spencer Daniels drops one of the most jaw-dropping revelations in recent Ozark wildlife history and finally puts the "Game and Fish is hiding mountain lions" myth to rest for good.
You'll hear exactly where these cats are coming from, what 58 confirmed sightings actually mean, and whether there's already a breeding pair hiding somewhere in Arkansas right now.
Then the episode goes full Ozark folklore — black panthers, the screaming-into-a-hole myth, AI photo fakes, and the family stories every person who grew up in these hills has heard. This one's equal parts science and campfire story.
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0:00 – Mountain Lions in Arkansas: What We Actually Know
3:00 – Where They're Coming From
4:30 – Breeding Population Confirmed 100 Miles from the Arkansas Border
9:00 – Could There Already Be a Breeding Pair in Arkansas?
14:00 – What the Sightings Data Actually Shows
19:00 – The Hot Springs Roadkill
25:00 – Spencer's Mountain Lion Encounter
27:00 – Myth Busting Rapid Fire
30:00 – Do Mountain Lions Actually Scream?
34:00 – Black Panthers in the Ozarks
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
Catch up with us on Instagram and Facebook @theozarkpodcast
PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com
