What should I do if I encounter a cougar? Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. DNR confirms sightings based on video,photographsor through visible tracks, with two cases in the U.P. This is about 34 miles from where an October 31 photo was captured in Houghton County. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. These were about 40 miles from where tracks were found the day before in Delta County. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. michigan wolf sightings maphow to turn off second alert on iphone calendar. In its midseason update, the Department of Natural Resources said all of the sightings of the mysterious cats have been in the Upper Peninsula: one each in Chippewa, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties and three in Delta County. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Also, five sets of cougar tracks were confirmed and 16 sightings were "highly likely." winter wolf track survey. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests. It was the highest amount of cougar sightings in one year over the past decade. Delta, Luce and Mackinac counties tied for first place, each with three. On August 30, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. Weve received numerous cougar or mountain lion reports from folks across Michigan, said John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer for the DNR. On January 26, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Delta County. Even though the animal was at one time native to the state, Michigan residents today are veryunlikely to encounter onein the wild, according to DNR, andthey also rarely attack those whose paths they do cross. On Why Theyre Recording More Cougar Sightings In Recent Years, On Why Its Not Likely Cougars Would Reestablish Themselves In Michigan, On What To Do In The Rare Chance You Encounter A Cougar. When we get them, we go out and investigate them and try to substantiate the reports.. is a contributing writer for The Gander and a longtime journalist who has covered everything from pro sports teams to politics, inspirational community stories, and much more. This is about 18 miles from where the June 1 photo was captured in Mackinac County. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. You wouldn't want to play dead, like you might with like a brown bear. At least 6 cougars have been spotted in Michigan so far this year. No matter what you call them pumas, panthers, mountain lions or cougarsThe DNR wants residents to know the department is listening and keeping a careful eye on where cougars reportedly are turning up, the organization said in a news release. The Michigan DNR says. A TRAIL CAMERA photo Sept. 16 shows a cougar in southern . All rights reserved (About Us). USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINTER FUN HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All except one were spotted in the Upper Peninsula. This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness. This is about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured in Ontonagon County. law enforcement, legislation, rules and regulations, Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan, All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups, Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR, information about volunteer and donation opportunities. All rights reserved. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below: Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Face the animal and do not act submissive. And so, in those two poached carcasses we've had that we were able to do DNA analysis on and try to figure out what populations they were from, they most closely related to populations in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. A second trail camera caught what is likely the same cougar, taken 5 miles away in western Mackinac County. A Fireball in Michigan Skies in 1965: What Really Happened. We've had DNA samples, and then sometimes just from trail cameras, we can actually get a good clear view and determine that the animal is a male, but we've never been able to document a female or kittens or any sign of reproduction. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). This is about 160 miles from where October 13 photos were captured in Mackinac County. Hunting and Fishing; We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. For more information about recent confirmed sightings or to submit a cougar report, visit Michigan.gov/Cougars. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. This is about 47 miles from where a May 24 photo was captured in Marquette County. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. So, you look at the reports, now, towards you know, the last couple of years, the vast majority of those come from trail camera photos or cell phone pics of tracks or scat. While mountain lions are native to Michigan, their numbers diminished to almost zero by the 1900s. And yeah, if anything like that happened, you'd want to report it to the local authorities or the DNR as soon as possible. In the 13 years that the state's cougar team has been searching, they have verified at least 65 reports of a cougar traversing the Michigan wilderness. Norton: All of the evidence we've been able to collect over the years since 2008, anytime we've been able to get a sex off of a cougar, it's been male. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. About a month later, a DNR trail camera caught a photo in southcentral Luce County, which was about 72 miles from the last sighting in April. On June 1, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Mackinac County. The DNR Wildlife Division staff confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar . On Sept. 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was taken of a cougar in southern Dickinson County, reported Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist for the DNR. Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists confirmed that a trail camera photo of a mountain lion strolling through an open area of woods is legit. July 13, Ontonagon County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar. If children are present, pick them up so they cannot run. State wildlife experts say theres no evidence of a breeding population of cougars in Michigan, and that some of the cougars being spotted may have come from faraway states. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. On June 6, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Chippewa County. Six separate cougar sightings have been confirmed this year in Michigan, according to a mid season update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A wolverine was once spotted in the county, Hanson said, and a black bear was sighted multiple times in the Upper Thumb about 20 years ago. This is about 3 miles from where a December 22 video was captured in Delta County. In 2020 alone, there were 13 confirmed sightings - the most in the team's history. RELATED: State Parks Now Open for Midweek Campers, Remote Workers as Michigan DNR Unveils New Booking Tool. 14 confirmed cougar sightings in Michigan in 2020 8,264 views Mar 14, 2021 69 Dislike Share Save FOX 17 WXMI 23.7K subscribers Fox 17's Jamie Smet spoke to the DNR about the abnormally large. Volunteer Opportunities; Zudiema has now documented 1,100 cougar sightings in upper Michigan since the 1950s and believes authorities are trying to hide a growing cougar population. On Wednesday, the DNR shared an update of the latest crop of cougar sightings in Michigan, and their findings show just how isolated and wide-ranging the animals have truly become. On December 23, 2021, cougar tracks were found in southwestern Delta County. Since 2008, the DNR has confirmed 61 cougar sightings, with only one of those coming in the Lower Peninsula, in 2017. (WXYZ) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported 13 confirmed cougar sightings across the state in 2020. Updated: 6:52 PM EDT August 12, 2020. Norton: Honestly, if you look back, you know, when the cougar team was formed back in 2008, in those early years of having the team, most of our reports came through as tracks that people would find in the woods. But if you do see a cougar, Skeldon asks that you try and . DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. There have been periodic reports of cougar sightings since that time from various locations in Michigan. Michigan Life Reports for Michigan State map of individual report locations (requires Adobe SVG Viewer plug-in for your browser) State terrain & political maps with report totals & population density by county Most Recent Reports February 2022, Mackinac County (Class B) - RECENT: Wood knocks at night in UP: Big Manistique Lake, east side of Seney Refuge This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in. This is about 165 miles from where the June 6 photo was captured in Chippewa County. Though originally native to Michigan, cougars were driven from the states landscape due to several factors, including habitat loss, around the early 1900s. Because cougars are not an established game species in Michigan and they dont have an established population, Pepin says it would not be legal to just shoot one. 0:41. Despite the occasional reported sightings, wildlife experts say theres no evidence of a breeding population in the state. The last photo was taken on Nov. 7 in southwest Barage County, about 145 miles from where the Oct. 13 photos were taken. However, the team was able to investigate the report after the owner of the photo saw a newspaper story about it and contacted DNR. Its also important to note that the reports could be multiple sightings of the same animal, the DNR said. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE CAMPING HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Male cougars are known to travel great distancesin search of places to establish breeding locations with available females, said John Pepin, deputy public information officer at DNR, and it is almost always males that are recorded inconfirmed sightings. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. This was about 120 miles from where the July 12 photo was captured in Delta County. According to Cody Norton, DNA analysis confirms cats have dispersed into the state from Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming (likely traveling through Minnesota and northern Wisconsin). Calendars: 2021 Confirmed Cougar Sightings January 12, 2021 On January 12, 2021, a security camera captured and tracks were found from a cougar in Southwestern Schoolcraft County. "DNA analysis of two cougars poached in the U.P., for example, showed the animals likely dispersed from their established populations in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska," said Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist with the DNR. DNA analysis of two cougars poached in the U.P., for example, showed the animals likely dispersed from their established populations in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska, said Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist with the DNR, earlier this year. Every so often we have numerous verifications due to a similar situation., (Find a complete rundown of the 12 sightings in 2020 right here), From 2018: Cougar captured on DNR camera in Michigans Upper Peninsula. The last known wild cougar taken legally in the state happened over 100 years ago in Newberry, the hometown of the Tahquamenon Falls. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: Find ORV license and permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Volunteer Opportunities; This is about 45 miles from where DNR staff found tracks on February 20th in . The last known wild cougar legally taken in the state occurred in 1906 near Newberry. On April 24, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. Michigan Life Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. To see the the Michigan Department of Natural Resources page on cougars, visit here. Since then, the big cats have occasionally been spotted by residents wandering in from states like the Dakotas. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. A trail camera captured this photo of a cougar on May 24 in western Marquette County. Not too long ago, several Monroe County residents were certain they spotted a cougar lurking on their property or running through ditches. READ: This Beloved Ann Arbor Farm Is Surviving the Pandemic Without PPP. If you have children with you or pets, if you can pick them up, so that they don't run away, that's always a good way to go. Despite the occasional reported sightings, wildlife experts say theres no evidence of a breeding population in the state. The Michigan DNR has confirmed 12 cougar sightings in 2020, all in the Upper Peninsula. Should you encounter a cougar: Copyright 2020 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. We did have some data a couple of years ago where the DNR has all kinds of animal studies going on out in the woods with game cameras. This is about 120 miles from where the July 12photo was captured in Delta County. This is about 36 miles from where the January 12 photo was captured in Schoolcraft County. February 20, 2020 By. itar proof of citizenship. On June 1, a camera caught a cougar in eastern Mackinac County, about 127 miles from where the April 24 photo was captured. Pepin says the reports help them understand behavior as well. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Nick Meyer The DNR said last year that sightings could be increasing because more people are using trail cameras and reports, in general, are more frequent. April 24, Delta County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar on the Stonington Peninsula. The DNR is reporting 10 confirmed. Since 2008 there have been 55 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan and all but one have been in the Upper Peninsula. We'll have to wait and see. Ever Wanted to Own an Island? A full list of confirmed cougar sightings in Michigan since 2008 can be found here. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. On Aug. 30, another trail camera saw a cougar in southcentral Luce County, about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured. Michigans DNR says cougars in the state have migrated from the West. Let's take a look at some common questions. Hunting and Fishing; The media . This is about 72 miles from where the April 24 photo was captured in Delta County(photograph not available). Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Other states include Washington, California, North Dakota and Texas. On April 24, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. They are fairly certain some of the reports are the same animal, moving from place to place. Today, the Cougar Fund says, viable breeding populations are found in only 16 states after centuries of attempts to exterminate them that began during the European colonization of North America. "Cougars have lost substantial portions of their historical range, yet increased sightings suggest potential for re-establishment in some regions," researchers from the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of Natural Resources and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry wrote in a recent article in This was about 165 miles from where the June 6 photo was captured in Chippewa County. And in 2020, Michiganders reported seeing cougars 14 times, the most since the team formed. Thank you for joining me. At least one confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion has been made in the Lower Peninsula. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. On May 12, 2021, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southern Luce County while conducting field work. Michigan now has confirmation of no less than 74 mountain lion sightings in the state over the last 14 years. This Ones for Sale in Lake Superior, Former Michigan GOP Lawmaker Who Lobbied Against Lobbyists is Now a Lobbyist, Whitmer Signs Historic New Legislation to Curb Gun Violence in Michigan. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. comcar industries board of directors; problems of prescriptive grammar. These photos provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources show cougars in the wild.Michigan DNR. DNR officials say the greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar reports. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. In February, DNR Wildlife Division staff confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar tracks while conducting the U.P. There is no photo available. DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Those states include South Dakota, Wyoming and northwest Nebraska, from which Pepin said genetic testing showed some of the cougars found in Michigan likely came. Our general advice for any big game is to try and keep your distance as best you can, but if you were to come across one close up on the trail, the advice we give is to slowly back away, he said. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. One of the things the DNR is trying to find out is whether cougars are going to establish themselves here. 100 Days Later: What Happens When Voters Put Democrats in Charge of State Government? USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE CAMPING HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. DNR officials say the greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar reports. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below: Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Ten sightings of the animal have been confirmed by the agency this year, all in the Upper Peninsula, compared with a peak of 15in 2020. Norton: From what we can tell, you know, a lot of times, some of our reports from last year were, you know, photos that were taken the same day within a mile of each other. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. This is about 10 miles from where a July 19 photo was captured in Marquette County. Anything you can do to make them second guess whether you're a prey species or not and you should not be tangled with. humana fee schedule 2021; marshall funeral home suitland, md; liverpool fc doctor salary;

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