Be sure of you claims that something does not exist in this area. A few years back it was reported in Flat Rock, AL that a mountain loin was killing a man's goats that lived near the bluff. I was very unsure of this myself, until I was hunting near the property with some snow on the ground and came across the some strange tracks. I took a photo of the track to research it further. The only thing I could find that matches is a mountain lion. Supposedly, some scat was collected from near the goat pen and sent to the state, which confirmed the mountain loin presence, I don't know if this really happened. I feel that there are a few left in this area, but they stay in very rugged terrain and remain very shy.
On the water moccasians being in this area, i can 100% confirm the presence. My father and I was turkey hunting on Little River WMA on Lookout mountain. He nearly step on the snake at a stream crossing, of course we shot the snake. We carried it to the checking station, where a wildlife officer confirmed it was a water moccasian.
On another interesting note, I have notice that the bear population in north georgia has also began to mitgrate west. 2 years ago my mother bought a new house on the bluff in Trenton on Sand Mountain. As always she would dumped the leftover table scraps off of the bluff, until she had an unexpected visitor. A medium size bear paid a visit to her back patio. Also the Alabama wildlife officers has posted picutres of a bear with 3 cubs at the checking station for Little River WMA.
emoLaugh
