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. At one point, the animal roamedall 48 contiguous states in the United States, according to the Cougar Fund, a Wyoming-based nonprofit that educates people on and advocates for the protection of these animals. 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. MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the latest information on confirmed cougar sightings in the state. "Cougars have lost substantial portions of their historical range, yet increased sightings suggest potential for re-establishment in some regions," the article stated. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. January 26, 2021 Ever Wanted to Own an Island? 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. Just a day later, a trail camera captured a cougar in Ontanogon County, 120 miles from the picture on July 12. They're getting cheaper [and] easier for people to use. All Six Cougar Sightings Recorded in Upper Peninsula for 2020. This is about 125 miles from where tracks were found on May 12 in Luce County. Stand tall, wave your arms, and talk in a loud voice. While mountain lions are native to Michigan, their numbers diminished to almost zero by the 1900s. factors that led to the formation of legco in uganda / does mezcal with worm go bad / michigan wolf sightings map. On April 24, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. To see the the Michigan Department of Natural Resources page on cougars, visit here. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. However, the team was able to investigate the report after the owner of the photo saw a newspaper story about it and contacted DNR. We should never run from a cougar or other large carnivores. Is there a population of wild cougars in Michigan? Written By Bob McNally RELATED: State Parks Now Open for Midweek Campers, Remote Workers as Michigan DNR Unveils New Booking Tool. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. That stands to reason because so far we havent found any evidence cougars are breeding in the Upper Peninsula, so theres no established population here. 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. One of the things the DNR is trying to find out is whether cougars are going to establish themselves here. The Michigan DNR has confirmed 51 cougar sightings since 2008. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. On July 20, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in southeastern Baraga County. Saliby: Could a cougar population ever reestablish itself in Michigan? This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in. DNR confirms sightings based on video,photographsor through visible tracks, with two cases in the U.P. Never run from a cougar or other large carnivore. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. However, it boarders North and South Dakota, both of which do have established mountain lion populations. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed six sightings of cougars in 2020. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. On February 19, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in Delta County while conducting wolf track surveys. Classes & Workshops; 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. DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. DNR officials say the greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar reports. In 2019, at least 11 cougar sightings were confirmed in the state. humana fee schedule 2021; marshall funeral home suitland, md; liverpool fc doctor salary; Updated: 6:52 PM EDT August 12, 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. If this trend continues, the Upper Peninsula appears poised to have a modern record for cougar sightings in 2021, topping 15 in 2020. 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. 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. Those who live in an area where cougars may be present are encouraged to keep their pets indoors or in a covered outdoor kennel, especially at night, and to install outside lighting, preferably with motion sensors. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. A few people who owned cougars or large cats prior to 2000 are still permitted to own these animals. 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Since 2008 there have been 55 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan and . Norton: Yeah, and it's really similar to most of our large carnivore species in Michigan and like you said, very, very, very unlikely that it will happen with a cougar, but if you did encounter a cougar or other large carnivores, it's best to, you know, face the animal [and] make yourself look big and as intimidating as possible. | 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. On July 19, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in the Black River area of Republic, Marquette County. It's the most confirmed sightings in one year in at least the last 12 years, according to DNR . Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. Not too long ago, several Monroe County residents were certain they spotted a cougar lurking on their property or running through ditches. The steep increase in confirmed reports may be due to the recent popularity of "trail" or "game" cameras, according to Pepin, who added that hunters and other enthusiasts often have multiple camerasin different locations. So, that helps if the animal is in a field or you know, without something as a size or scale reference. They can do that by checking tracks, testing fur, or by monitoring trail cameras. In 2020, the DNR has 12 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan, all in the Upper Peninsula. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Hunting and Fishing; For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. It is possible that escaped or released pet cougars account for at least a portion of the sightings in Michigan. On September 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southern Dickinson County. They are also encouraged to protect, fence and shelter livestock, especially at night, and to avoid feeding wildlife nearby as it may attract potential prey sources. 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. Thoseare relatively new devices that trigger themselves when there is movement in the frame, andarestrapped to trees and left there. Cougar sightings are on the rise in Michigan. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. And yeah, if anything like that happened, you'd want to report it to the local authorities or the DNR as soon as possible. Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more. July 13, Ontonagon County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar. DNR confirms cougar sighting near Lansing, Rare cougar photographed by Upper Peninsula trail camera, Cougar spotted in Michigan county is DNRs 40th confirmed sighting, Chicago men rescued near Drummond Island were found clinging to overturned boat. WKAR Public Media | document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This Beloved Ann Arbor Farm Is Surviving the Pandemic Without PPP, Blueberries, Blackberries, Peaches, Raspberries: Heres Where to Find U-Pick Farm, State Parks Now Open for Midweek Campers, Remote Workers as Michigan DNR Unveils New Booking Tool, A 2021 Michigan Beer Lovers Bucket List: Must-Try Beers, Breweries, and Locales, The Ultimate Michigan Wine Tour: Must-Visit Vineyards, Tasting Rooms and More, Michigan Schools and Tribes Encouraged to Apply for Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Grants. This is about 1 mile from where another photo was captured on August 30 in Luce County. This is about 47 miles from where a May 24 photo was captured in Marquette County. On Aug. 30, another trail camera saw a cougar in southcentral Luce County, about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured. The last photo was taken on Nov. 7 in southwest Barage County, about 145 miles from where the Oct. 13 photos were taken. DNR alsocannot estimate how many cougars may be in Michigan at any time, but presume that it is a very small number based on the relatively low number of verified reports. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. The DNR has a ton of information on cougars in the state. State park, historic sites and visitor center events. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The organization added that its important to note that the reports could be multiple sightings of the same animal. When a DNR trail camera in 2018 captured a photo of a cougar in Gogebic County, Pepin added, "it marked the first time the department had caught a cougar on more than 3 million game camera images collected since 2009.". "It was a cover-up initially related to . These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. On April 24, a trail camera caught a cougar in Delta County, about 45 miles from where the tracks were found on Feb. 20. A TRAIL CAMERA photo Sept. 16 shows a cougar in southern . This is about 160 miles from where October 13 photos were captured in Mackinac County. It was the highest amount of cougar sightings in one year over the past decade. 100 Days Later: What Happens When Voters Put Democrats in Charge of State Government? With so many people having trail cameras in the woods this time of year, catching an animal on camera is more likely. 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. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. Saliby: Why are we seeing more cougar sightings in recent years? 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). Subscribe to our YouTube channel. And in 2020, Michiganders reported seeing cougars 14 times, the most since the team formed. But if you do see a cougar, Skeldon asks that you try and . Its part of the DNRs effort to monitor cougar populations in the Upper Peninsula and elsewhere in the state when sightings occur. On May 24, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Marquette 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. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. Former Michigan GOP Lawmaker Who Lobbied Against Lobbyists is Now a Lobbyist, Law and Policy So, if you look at just kind of basic cougar biology, typically, the males will disperse or leave their natal home ranges more often and go farther distances than females. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Based on documented evidence, cougars observed in Michigan could be escaped or released pets. This is about 120 miles from where a November 7 photo was captured in Baraga County. 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? But thats mostly because sightings are relatively rare theres been about 55 total in the last 12 years, and all but one of those officially recorded have been in the Upper Peninsula. What should I do if I encounter a cougar? Just $1 per month , There's been an increase in cougar sightings in the Upper Peninsula over the last three years, By Calendars: Sophia Saliby: This is All Things Considered on WKAR. Here is a list of the confirmed sightings from this year: Feb. 19, Delta County: DNR members identified cougar tracks while conducting wolf track surveys. They are fairly certain some of the reports are the same animal, moving from place to place. are coming from the West of us, the Minnesota, the Dakotas, that Kind of thing.. On June 25, 2021, trail camera photos were captured of a cougar in northern Houghton 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. On May 17, 2020, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. At least 6 cougars have been spotted in Michigan so far this year. According to Michigan Fox affiliate TV-6, a DNR team of biologists that investigates cougar reports had seen the trail cam photo, but initially couldnt confirm the source or location o fwhere it was taken. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests. At least one confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion has been made in the Lower Peninsula. Anything you can do to make them second guess whether you're a prey species or not and you should not be tangled with. This is about 50 miles from where a July 20 video was captured in Baraga County.. (DNR). This is about 120 miles from where the July 12photo was captured in Delta County. All rights reserved (About Us). Michigans DNR says cougars in the state have migrated from the West. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. This Ones for Sale in Lake Superior, Accountability In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. Three of the sightings were in Delta County, while the other three took place in Schoolcraft, Chippewa and Ontonagon Counties. DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. "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. Published Oct 21, 2021 10:35 AM EDT. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. We have literally shot millions of images and not come up with a cougar on any of the game cameras. Four additional sightings were confirmed after residents submitted trail camera photos of cougars. So, it is likely that we are just having more people turn in their photos. This is about 10 miles from where August 30 photos were captured in Luce County. 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