Here in MI we are being told that we don't have any cougars, but I've had 2 encounters with them in the last few months. After I talked to other people who were also having problems with them, and they were also told that there are no cougars, one was hit by a car, not very far from here. The local paper actually printed a pic of it, and the DNR still said that they couldn't confirm that it was a cougar. Some people south of here have had their horses get attacked by one as well. One thing that really seems to make a difference, at least so far, is light. We have lights on the front and back of our barn, and the one in back with a double fixture, has been adjusted to shine right on the chicken coop, and all around the pen. It's dusk to dawn, and since making sure that it's on everynight we've had no cougars, bobcats or coyotes. At least not nearby, we still here them in the woods back beyond us.
