Mountain lions and bobcats

[Pensmaster]

100% your concern is Bobcat. Cougars are in the “market” for bigger game.

Cougar or bobcat tracks or none of the above?

 

[NikAndHerChicks]

@NikAndHerChicks where in Mi are you? I am in Boyne, and while there is no official proclamation of Cougars in the LP, we have multiple confirmed sightings in are area. One put a deer carcass about 12 foot up a tree last winter on the backside of the ski resort, near a cross country ski trail. I have scat and tracks at the back of my property a quarter mile into the swamp along a creek.

I am in Oakland Twp (just north of Rochester). My sister has friends in Clarkston, which is 20 minutes away from me & they had scat & tracks in their yard also. They called the police, who referred them to the DNR, who informed them that there are no cougars in MI and then hung up on them!

 

[Pensmaster]

I am in Oakland Twp (just north of Rochester). My sister has friends in Clarkston, which is 20 minutes away from me & they had scat & tracks in their yard also. They called the police, who referred them to the DNR, who informed them that there are no cougars in MI and then hung up on them!

Strange I just did a search on cougars in Michigan and the first thing that popped up was a picture of a cougar taken by a young man in Lansing. DNR says it’s just traveling through. But to send them pictures of tracks and scat if you see any.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The Fish & Game of Vermont has the same response. Years ago pictures of mother with cubs from Craftsbury area were released. Fish and Game asserted it was exotic animals released to wild by someone and NOT proof of viable native population. Injured livestock and tracks in area I grew up; Fish & Game called to investigate, stated it wasn't coyote or bear but it certainly WAS NOT catamount as we don't have any. LOL

 

[lazy gardener]

It cracks me up that wild life officials are so insistent that these animals are not out there. Sasquatch... Jack aloupe... No. Mountain lion, yep. If it looks, sounds and poops like a Mountain Lion, if there are photos, evidence of kill, and dna that belong to a Mountain Lion, Hello????

 

[NikAndHerChicks]

It cracks me up that wild life officials are so insistent that these animals are not out there. Sasquatch... Jack aloupe... No. Mountain lion, yep. If it looks, sounds and poops like a Mountain Lion, if there are photos, evidence of kill, and dna that belong to a Mountain Lion, Hello????

I should have my son call in and report the swampsquatch he thinks lives in the swamp next door & see what happens!

 

[lazy gardener]

Nothing will come of it unless he can provide a photo, poop sample, and either a cheek swab, or a snip of hair for DNA analysis. Also, a candy bar wrapper, to ascertain that the animal is eating the correct diet.

 

[PirateGirl]

Cougar or bobcat tracks or none of the above?

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The first photo makes me think dog because it looks like there are claw marks.
Also it's a really small footprint. Maybe bobcat, definitely not mountain lion/cougar unless it's a little baby. An adult cougar print would easily be as big around as the palm of your hand or larger.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Strange I just did a search on cougars in Michigan and the first thing that popped up was a picture of a cougar taken by a young man in Lansing. DNR says it’s just traveling through. But to send them pictures of tracks and scat if you see any.

DNR means Do Not Recognize....

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Cougar or bobcat tracks or none of the above?

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None of the above. Claw marks in the track disqualify. Those are more canine based tracks. Think dog/coyote/wolf. Likely coyote.