DNR growls at numerous cougar sightings in state

[sunchyme]

To this day, Walter Hempel isn't 100 percent sure what crossed in front of his car five years ago on U.S. 23 outside of Rogers City. But he cataloged what he saw with the hunter's eyes he's used in the wilds of Michigan for most of his 80 years.

The loping gait, snub nose, high ears and drooped belly -- after taking it all in, he figured he'd just seen a cougar.

In Michigan, such a statement can be enough to start a nasty argument. So even years later, Hempel is quick to follow up by saying: "I have no reason to lie or make something like that up."


A trail-cam photo of a cougar snapped roaming the eastern Upper Peninsula in October -- the first such photo verified by Michigan's Department of Natural Resources -- has given new life to the debate over whether the endangered species is here in substantial numbers.

Link to the rest of the article
http://www.detnews.com/article/2009...-growls-at-numerous-cougar-sightings-in-state

 

[jay]

I have a cabin by Rogers city. This fall when I was out on the avt I came across a paw prints in the sand that were big. I was thinking bear. But there were no claw marks. I wish I had my camera to get a picture of it.

 

[jmk62]

The d.n.r. photographed and confirmed some paw prints in the ausable point area near east tawas a month ago [my fathers neighborhood] I personally had a cougar cross the highway in front of me the summer of 2008 3 miles west of oscoda on river road. everyone you tell thinks your nuts but the d.n.r confirmation this fall made me say "told ya so"

 

[rocketman356]

Slept with a cougar last nite.

 

[catcrazy]

be careful I have heard cougars are very agressive after dark! grrr grrrr

 

[snowlover]

Cougars and deer...

Here is a nice buck attacked by a cougar up by Hill City/Jacobson, MN. I found it on the last day of the season 50 yards from where I had been siting. It had bite marks on the center of its back and claw marks down its side. No bullet holes anywhere. Hind quarter had been eaten out of. It was most likely still alive while the cat was having a snack due to the marks in the tree by its antlers.

What makes it sad is that I had seen this buck and heard it in the area of my stand many times but not able to get a clean shot at it. It made me sick to my stomach to find it like this.