Michigan - Cougars ?

[pmflyfisher]

fyi

I had an eerie feeling I was being watched as I walked out in the dark by myself from a river in Manistee national forest this past spring. Also years ago on a national forest gravel road could have sworn I saw large cat paw prints. It appears there are some in Michigan per this recent article and they are hungry.

Something to be aware of for sure but would say a very low probability of ever having an occurence.


http://www.detnews.com/2002/outdoors/0210/12/c06-605401.htm

[dansteelieman]

Makes me wonder too. They have found tons of evidence and when I am near Traverse City I usually will be fishing in forested areas around the Leelanau area, and I heard a few roam around the sand dunes up there. I'll have to keep my eye out. I heard of them attacking dogs and sightings are prevealent in the UP and LP.

Well, Michigan sustains a population of wolves, bears, moose, elk, and now cougar....wow, I didn't even think of how wild my state is!

[pmflyfisher]

A retired executive who I worked with for 6 years grew up in Idaho where they had cougars and still do to this day. He was ahunter and said you could go a life time living out there, be looking for them, and still not be able to sight one, unless you were hunting them with trained dogs.

They are nocturnal, roam over a large range, and great sense of hearing and sight.

Here is a good link describing them, interesting, doubt if we will ever see one on our fishing trips to gods country.

Since white tails are one of their prime preys I can see why they can survive in Michigan.


http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/hww-fap.cfm?ID_species=57&lang=e