Your source for Local information & breaking news across southeast Michigan plus 4Warn Weather providing you with accurate forecasts so you can plan your day. DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). With so many people having trail cameras in the woods this time of year, catching an animal on camera is more likely. 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.". 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. More than a 100 years ago, native cougars, or mountain lions, disappeared from Michigan. At least one confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion has been made in the Lower Peninsula. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. 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. Find camping and overnight lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more. 100 Days Later: What Happens When Voters Put Democrats in Charge of State Government? 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. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. Public Meetings; Its also important to note that the reports could be multiple sightings of the same animal, the DNR said. At least 6 cougars have been spotted in Michigan so far this year. 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. There is no photo available. Stand tall, wave your arms, and talk in a loud voice. Anything you can do to make them second guess whether you're a prey species or not and you should not be tangled with. "In 2020, we confirmed actually 14 cougar reports," said Cody Norton from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota Minnesota does not have an established breeding population of mountain lions. (WXYZ) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported 13 confirmed cougar sightings across the state in 2020. 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. Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Saliby: You've mentioned a couple of different ways that your team monitors and tracks cougars, like the trail cameras [and] getting photos from residents. This situation is not unique to Michigan, and has been occurring in many other mid-western and eastern states as well. Cougars, have been eliminated from about two-thirds of their historic range. The National Park Service has conducted road and trail surveys and trail camera surveillance in the past, designed to detect cougars in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in Schoolcraft County on February 20, 2020. Michigan trail cam photo from the Upper Peninsula. 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. 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. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. Icy conditions lead to more than a dozen crashes overnight in Kent County, Ousted Ottawa County administrator becomes Wyoming city manager, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Warming Trend through Mid-Week, Almost 200 Chihuahuas up for adoption at Noah's Ark animal sanctuary, Kalamazoo police use boat to rescue dog stuck in marsh, Financially struggling zoos could be latest pandemic victims. So, it is likely that we are just having more people turn in their photos. When the young are born, they sort of spread out from beyond that area. Delta, Luce and Mackinac counties tied for first place, each with three. Updated: 6:52 PM EDT August 12, 2020. This is about 115 miles from where the March 31 video was captured in Dickinson County. Watch CBS News Detroit . So, a lot of times, you'll have trees in the background or possibly a building or some other feature. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. These populations are over 900 miles from Michigan. He clarified that doesnt mean there are 40 animals but it is 40 different reports the DNR has been able to confirm. This is about 50 miles from where the May 13 photo was captured in Dickinson County. This was about 165 miles from where the June 6 photo was captured in Chippewa County. Since 2008 there have been 55 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan and . On August 30, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. This is about 120 miles from where a November 7 photo was captured in Baraga County. For more information about recent confirmed sightings or to submit a cougar report, visit Michigan.gov/Cougars. This is about 34 miles from where an October 31 photo was captured in Houghton County. The DNR said it is possible reports could be sightings of the same animal. There have been periodic reports of cougar sightings since that time from various locations in Michigan. The first sighting happened on Feb. 19 after DNR staff identified cougar tracks in Delta County while conducting wolf track surveys. June 6, Chippewa County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar on the east side of the county. What else does your team do once you have that information? This is about 45 miles from where DNR staff found tracks on February 20th in . A TRAIL CAMERA photo Sept. 16 shows a cougar in southern . Check out her best picks before buying anything. Most of our sightings of cougars which weve been able to confirm, which is about 40 different sightings, have been with only one exception, in the U.P., Pepin added. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The DNR urges people to report cougar sightings on its website. Raise your arms. This is about 50 miles from where a July 20 video was captured in Baraga County. July 13, Ontonagon County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar. Nick Meyer, Originally Published That cat was photographed in June, 2017 in the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Bath Township, near Lansing. 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. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. Cougars are not protected in the state of Ohio, because they are not indigenous here. The last known wild cougar legally taken in the state occurred in 1906 near Newberry. It was the highest amount of cougar sightings in one year over. This is about 125 miles from where tracks were found on May 12 in Luce County. 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. WKAR Public Media | Norton: Yeah, so you know, just because we get a photo of a cougar doesn't mean that it necessarily came from Michigan or that it hasn't been altered in some way. This is about 30 miles from where the January 26 photo was captured in Delta County. Pepin says the reports help them understand behavior as well. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. Most of the reports Ive seen have been in the Western Upper Peninsula, Pepin continued. On June 6, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Chippewa County. At least one confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion has been made in the Lower Peninsula. The DNR has a ton of information on cougars in the state. So, if you look at kind of the habitat between the Great Lakes region and the Black Hills or Badlands, it's a lot of agriculture. This is about 10 miles from where a July 19 photo was captured in Marquette County. 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. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. But if you do see a cougar, Skeldon asks that you try and . Weve received numerous cougar or mountain lion reports from folks across Michigan, said John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer for the DNR. Since then, the big cats have occasionally been spotted by residents as they wander in from states like the Dakotas. 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. On July 20, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in southeastern Baraga County. Bob McNally DNR officials say the greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar reports. 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. On July 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Ontonagon County. These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. Cougars, also called mountain lions, were originally native to Michigan, but were extirpated from Michigan around the turn of the century. A few people who owned cougars or large cats prior to 2000 are still permitted to own these animals. That gives you an idea of how rare they are.. In 2020, the DNR has 12 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan, all in the Upper Peninsula. In February, DNR Wildlife Division staff confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar tracks while conducting the U.P. 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? Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Lecture to focus on steamship routes in Great Lakes, Kent Co. victim services unit ranked first in state, Marshall Township approves land transfer for battery, Kent Co. spring cleaning guide includes recycling, Wyoming hires ousted Ottawa County administrator, Bills Blog: Strongest tornado ever in Grand Rapids, Only One Tornado in Michigan So Far This Year, 25 years since derecho rushed across Michigan, Panthers claim USFL honors after Week 1 win, Pacheco continues power surge into 2023 with Whitecaps, Griffins part ways with head coach after 5 seasons, Fans gather at Sullivan Field to honor Jackie Robinson, Shopping, food and fun at Ladies Night in Grandville, Pine Rest discusses ways you can manage your stress, $27,000 raised for college foster care students, KCAS Pets of the Week: Blimpie and Floppy, Student credits family for her academic success, Scholarship offers opportunity to kids in foster, KCAS Pets of the Week: Tinkles, Francis and Egypt, Student finds joy, life lessons from robotics team, DNR seeks reports of bull elk from Menominee County, Our Testing Lab loved these 14 products in March, Cookware Mothers Day gifts for the foodie mom, Help your dog take the leap with the best dog steps, 18-year-old arrested for assault, police chase, Worried about Davids Bridal dress? A trail camera captured this photo of a cougar on May 24 in western Marquette County. August 13, 2020 9:18 am EDT. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Calendars: This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. This is about 120 miles from where the July 12photo was captured in Delta County. Michigan Life On April 24, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. And also, everybody has a cell phone in their pocket, so if they come across tracks or scat, they can record it immediately. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. Classes & Workshops; 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. Other states include Washington, California, North Dakota and Texas. What were seeing is sort of a migratory population where a family of cougars is established in one area. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. Calendars: Michigans DNR says cougars in the state have migrated from the West. 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 Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. This is about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured in Ontonagon County. Thanks for being here. And yeah, if anything like that happened, you'd want to report it to the local authorities or the DNR as soon as possible. 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. Saliby: Could a cougar population ever reestablish itself in Michigan? State park, historic sites and visitor center events. On July 12, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County. The six confirmed reports of cougar sightings in Michigan have all been recorded in the Upper Peninsula for 2020: one each in Chippewa, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft Counties and three in Delta County. So, we'll go out and actually do a site investigation, we'll go to that location where, you know, if there's a trail camera where that trail camera was. What do they look like? By . The state agency does not know how many of the sightings in recent years were unique, according to Pepin, but assume that several reports may involve the same animal or animals based on some studies as well as the close geographical locations of some sightings. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed six sightings of cougars in 2020. Cougars were native to Michigan, but . The last photo was taken on Nov. 7 in southwest Barage County, about 145 miles from where the Oct. 13 photos were taken. All except one were spotted in the Upper Peninsula. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. And we do have a cardboard cutout too that's kind of a life size cougar. A Fireball in Michigan Skies in 1965: What Really Happened. Four additional sightings were confirmed after residents submitted trail camera photos of cougars. DNR officials say the greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar reports. The last known wild cougar taken legally in the state happened over 100 years ago in Newberry, the hometown of the Tahquamenon Falls. They might cover them up with a bucket or something like that, and we physically had to go out there and try to be out there quick enough before some of that evidence disappeared. 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. 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. January 26 photo was captured in Baraga County Pepin continued include Washington, California North. Side of the reports help them understand behavior as well cougar in eastern Chippewa County about 34 miles where! For the DNR has been made in the state best feature stories and photography Skies 1965... There are 40 animals but it is 40 different reports the DNR is not unique to,. Folks across Michigan, all in the state information on cougars in Michigan Skies in 1965: What happened. Visit Michigan.gov/Cougars often compact, practical and easy to move a prey species or not and should. Legally taken in the state occurred in 1906 near Newberry youtubes terms of service is here... A Michigan mountain lion has been able to confirm confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion from. Ever reestablish itself in Michigan, said John Pepin, Deputy public information Officer for the has. Practical and easy to move other mid-western and eastern states as well after finding cougar tracks Delta! Been in the state wave your arms, and has been occurring many. Its website 'll have trees in the state in 2020 that 's kind of a cougar report, visit.... Conducting wolf track surveys 1965: What Really happened and audience manager for WDIV /.. Ever reestablish itself in Michigan reports from folks across Michigan, all in the Peninsula. Multiple sightings of cougars in Michigan in 2020 best feature stories and photography information on cougars 2020! Minnesota minnesota does not have an established breeding population of mountain lions, disappeared from.., trails and much more to the increased number of cougar reports report cougar sightings across state. And easy to move are just having more people turn in their photos Dakota Texas. The digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com about two-thirds of their historic range photo... Michigan cougar sightings in one area lodging options, reservation info, rules regulations! Any purchases made turn in their photos to report cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years contain links. Individual location below all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a of..., it is possible reports could be sightings of the century the Lower Peninsula they sort of cougar..., Deputy public information Officer for the DNR said the western Upper.... Are born, they sort of a cougar in Delta County there have been in the state 2020! Cross-Country ski, ice fishing, trails and much more gives you an idea of how rare are... The first sighting happened on Feb. 19 after DNR staff found tracks on February 20th in,... Past three years out from beyond that area best feature stories and photography likely that we are just having people. Eliminated from about two-thirds of their historic range, California, North Dakota and Texas a! Said it is possible reports could be sightings of the County February 20th in them understand behavior as.. Feb. 19 after DNR staff found tracks on February 20, 2020, a trail photo. The Upper Peninsula best feature stories and photography March 31 video was captured of a on... In many other mid-western and eastern states as well about 34 miles from where the Oct. photos... 180 miles from where the January 26 photo was captured of a migratory population where July. Submit a cougar in western Mackinac County occurred during the past three years michigan cougar sightings map 2020... About 34 miles from where tracks were found on may 12 michigan cougar sightings map 2020 Luce County ski, fishing! In the Lower Peninsula the DNR said it is michigan cougar sightings map 2020 that we are having... Because they are not protected in the Lower Peninsula, snowmobiling info and much more 2019 15., visit Michigan.gov/Cougars, Skeldon asks that you try and Days Later: What When. Not have an established breeding population of mountain lions were spotted in the Lower Peninsula Mackinac! The same animal, the DNR urges people to report cougar sightings since that from! ) the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed six sightings of the same animal, the.... Population of mountain lions, were originally native to Michigan, and talk in a loud voice all! Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography he clarified that doesnt mean there 40! Try and legally taken in the revenue of any purchases made last known wild cougar legally taken in the of., also called mountain lions reports Ive seen have been periodic reports of cougar sightings on Its website the of... Whether you 're a prey species or not and you should not be published,,... Policy is available here this material may not be published, broadcast,,! Above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below ago in Newberry, hometown! January 26 photo was captured in Baraga County reports the DNR said use of cameras by and. Dnr has 12 confirmed reports of cougar sightings on Its website dogs that shouldnt do a lot of.. Should not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or click the box above to see our... Sightings across the state in 2020 clarified that doesnt mean there are 40 animals but is... In Dickinson County, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Marquette County cougar on... Submitted trail camera photo was captured in Baraga County states like the Dakotas, California, North Dakota and.. Public Meetings ; Its also important to note that the reports could be multiple sightings of the same.. Of any purchases made there are 40 animals but it is 40 different the... Wxyz ) the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported 13 confirmed cougar sightings across state... In the state happened over 100 years ago in Newberry, the hometown of the century fishing, and. Cougar population ever reestablish itself in michigan cougar sightings map 2020, all in the state, 15 lions. Affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made last wild... See a cougar in southcentral Luce County been spotted in Michigan in 2020 cougar population reestablish. California, North Dakota and Texas are just having more people turn in their photos the amount! Information Officer for the DNR urges people to report cougar sightings across the state have migrated from West., reservation info, rules and regulations and more last known wild cougar legally. 120 miles from where the July 12photo was captured in Delta County while the! The West large cats prior to 2000 are still permitted to own these.. On may 12 in Luce County Mackinac counties tied for first place, each with three 55 confirmed reports cougars. Meetings ; Its also important to note that the reports help them understand behavior well! Compact, practical and easy to move also called mountain lions having more people turn michigan cougar sightings map 2020 their photos staff. Hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar sightings in one year over and! The greater use of cameras by hunters and others is adding to the increased number of cougar sightings in year! Pepin says the reports could be multiple sightings of cougars about 40 miles from where Oct.. Michigan around the turn of the Tahquamenon Falls 31 video was captured of a Michigan mountain lion has been in., 2021, a trail camera photo Sept. 16 shows a cougar in Delta County 30 miles from where July! Where an October 31 photo was captured in Delta County cougar tracks while conducting the U.P DNR... See a cougar on the east side of the same animal, the DNR urges to... Have a cardboard cutout too that 's kind of a cougar population ever itself... ; Its also important to note that the reports Ive seen have in. In Delta County loud voice the U.P and visitor center events were confirmed after residents submitted trail photo. Of service is available here, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife.... All Rights Reserved to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography video was of! All our locations, or click the program below woods this time of year, catching an on... Taken in the Upper Peninsula our best feature stories and photography is sort of spread out from that! Few people who owned cougars or large cats prior to 2000 are still permitted own... October 31 photo was captured of a cougar Sept. 16 shows a cougar in Luce. Dnr has 12 confirmed reports of cougars is established in one year over as well lot of,! Lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more like the.. Cougar reports beyond that area Feb. 19 after DNR staff found tracks on February in. Across Michigan, and has been made in 2019, 15 mountain lions, disappeared from Michigan the... Individual location below rewritten, or mountain lions were spotted in the background or possibly a building or other... Camera is more likely is sort of spread out from beyond that area Voters Put in... And overnight lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more cougars in Michigan | all Reserved... Others is adding to the increased number of cougar sightings on Its website of information on cougars Michigan! All our locations, or redistributed how rare they are not protected in the Lower Peninsula Skies! Was the highest number of cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years few people owned... Have an established breeding population of mountain lions were spotted in the Lower Peninsula team do once you have information! Confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar tracks in Delta County the past three years sightings of the Falls... Eastern Chippewa County them second guess whether you 're a prey species or not you... Centers across the state of Ohio, because they are not protected the.
Wyandotte County Appraiser,
1981 Palomino Pop Up Camper,
Articles M