This is about 50 miles from where the May 13 photo was captured in Dickinson County. The cougar has a GPS collar that was originally attached in November 2021 by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) as part of an ongoing research project on their mountain lion population, including movement patterns. On February 19, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in Delta County while conducting wolf track surveys. This is about 5 miles from where another photo was captured on October 13 in Mackinac County. Read: Michigan DNR: 10 confirmed cougar sightings in 2021. A wolf is not likely to attack a person unless it feels trapped or provoked or if you appear to be prey (which is why you should not run). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed that there have been at least six mountain lions in Illinois between 2002 and 2019. National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, Repair Damage: What to Know Before Making Repairs, Rare Visitors to Illinois: Large Carnivores, Hikers: Be alert for "aggressive" animals, Contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist. The Great Cougar Cover Up | ABC7 Chicago | abc7chicago.com On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in northern Mackinac County. If a wolf makes contact with you, always try to fight it off. They are now listed as an endangered species in Michigan and have been spotted on 76 occasions since 2008. As always, be safe out there when exploring the Shawnee National Forest and leave with good memories, not bad injuries. First of all, everyone has an awesome camera in their pocket and none of us can ever do wrong and get away with it anymore without someone snapping a photo or video but yet they dont when they see a mountain lion??? Cougar 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. Gray wolves may not be hunted, killed, or harassed for any reason. Mountain lions less than a year old have dark brown spots. As long as you are indoors and the animal is outdoors. Concerns About Seeing Wildlife. The newsletter is free, sent once a month, and contains exclusive articles, tips, offers, contests, and upcomig events that you won't find anywhere else. Even with trail cams, though, most sightings get written off as mistaken identities involving bobcats, German shepherds and even large feral cats. Again, I am not telling you what to do but that is what I will do. If permitted by the witness, the sighting report and the followup investigation notes are added to the main sightings database (accessible . Persons with disabilities needing assistance with public inspection file content should contact Pam Nelson 630 552 1000 x 0, Former Kendall County First Assistant State's Attorney and State's Attorney's Office sued over alleged sexual misconduct, Heavy police presence near Route 47 and Main Street south of Elburn, Three arrested after Yorkville home invasion, Yorkville 115 supt. Not just bears, but also cougars and wolves. Help support concealed carry in Illinois, show your support. Never turn your back on them-most attacks happen to hikers and mountain bikers out west when the cats pounce on them from behind. This map was created by a user. DNA testing of cougars previously found in Illinois showed they were originally from the Black Hills in South Dakota. July 20, 2021: On July 20, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in southeastern Baraga County. They would kill one and another and we would find their corpses. ILLINOIS They have bushy tails, narrow chests, long legs, and large feet. In 2019, the Wisconsin DNR verified 12 cougar sightings with trail cameras. Size Adult weight: 116-160 pounds (male) and 75-110 pounds (female) Length: 80-95 inches (male) and 72-80 inches (female) Tail length: 28-38 inches and ropelike with a black tip Thanks, Diana Massey. Id love to see it happen while I am alive. Contact your local animal control agency with questions regarding wolf/dog hybrids. If anyone sees a cougar, they are asked to call Fish and Wildlife dispatch at 360-902-2936. URBANA, Ill. - Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hiking with Shawn is an entity of Hiking with Shawn LLC, registered in the State of Illinois. State wildlife agencies strive to monitor wild cougars in their states. The big cats have regularly reappeared over the past few decades, with many sightings coming from the increased public use of trail cameras. Is Refreezing the North and South Poles a Possible Solution to the Climate Crisis? Bigfoot has a name calling him Harry is a bit discriminatory in my opinion-some of you will not get that reference at all because I am old! There have been some confirmed sightings in Tennessee. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The cougar has a GPS collar that was originally attached in November 2021 by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) as part of an ongoing research project on their mountain lion population, including movement patterns. There is currently no evidence that resident breeding populations of mountain lions exist in Illinois at this time. This is about 47 miles from where a May 24 photo was captured in Marquette County. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Do not surprise the mountain lion. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Governor Adults are large sleek cats with small heads. Theyre known for their strength, agility and ability to jump. I think there might be a Sasquatch out there. Wolfdog hybrids do not make good pets. The animal was identified as a male because the scrotum and black hair around the penis sheath opening are visible in two of the photos. Large predators occasionally pass through Illinois but are not here to stay. This will not only make it difficult for wildlife officials to investigate and safely monitor the animal, but it also increases the risk of harm to the animal. The lynx and the bobcat are the other two. One set of photos even showed a cougar killing a doe in mid-August in Bayfield County, which borders Lake Superior. In Illinois, gray wolves are currently listed as a state endangered species and they are also protected as a federally endangered species. Historically, cougars covered much of the United States before European settlement, but were extirpated across the Midwest by the late 1800s. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed that there have been at least six mountain lions in Illinois between 2002 and 2019. Photos: Every confirmed cougar sighting in Michigan since 2019 - WDIV People are scared of these animals, but they are scared due to a lack of education of these animals. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Average Weight: 60 to 130 pounds (adult male); 45 to 80 pounds (adult female) Average Length: 4 to 6 feet (including 15 to 20 inch tail) Wolves are the largest wild canine in Illinois. March 31, 2021: On March 31, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in northeast Dickinson County. You can also support us by purchasing official merch from the Hiking with Shawn online store. But it has been over 100 years: cougars, wolves, and bears were all last seen in the state in the 1860s. Bears dont like to be scare pranked so dont do it or that bear is probably going to be taking a poop in the woods. Shawnee National Forest is a second growth forest. | They are still scared of us after all! If you see a wolf, do not run. If the mountain lion sees you, stand your ground, look as large as possible by standing up straight and putting your arms up in the air and slowly back away. Filming the videos, taking the photos, editing everything and writing this article takes time and its all provided for free. A male wolf was killed by a coyote hunter in Jo Daviess County in 2008. Even more of us have a wifes brothers girlfriends dad saw one when hunting story we dust off from time to time. A commission called the EU Platform on the Coexistence Between People and Large Carnivores (pithy title), had its first working session in June 2014, but theyve been organizing the committee for two years so that all the stakeholders (farmers, landowners, conservationists, hunters, and scientists) are represented. Fish and Wildlife confirms cougar sighting in Olympia area | The Olympian (Michigan Department of Natural Resouces). On May 13, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Dickinson County. You have permission to edit this article. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, have a tan or tawny coat, with white or cream-colored chin, undersides, and inside of legs. On February 20, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southeastern Schoolcraft County while conducting wolf track surveys. On Sept. 2, 2019, a trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. Plenty of, Headed to the Wild Things Conference going down Saturday, January 31, at UIC? There was an error processing your request. If you need help, let me know! On January 26, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Delta County. I dont hear many reports of wolves, but it is possible to see them as it is with other larger predator animals. How can I talk about black bear, mountain lions and wolves in the Shawnee without mentioning the obvious creature that is more likely to be out there bigfoot. An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. All Rights Reserved. I think hunting should be reserved for food hunting. Most of the sightings have been in Michigans upper peninsula, but the first confirmed sighting in the lower peninsula was in Clinton County in 2017. But they were eliminated from Illinois before 1870 due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. Original images of the animal or its tracks should be included. May 17, 2020: On May 17, 2020, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. Plenty of Midwestern hunters and anglers are aware of cougar sightings that have taken place in certain parts of the region. Im sorry IDNR if that suggestion is ignored and you get Bigfoot reports Oops. As a result, cougars slowly expand their range, no matter how far juvenile males search for mates and new breeding territory. Photos and/or tracks of these animals may exist, but without genetic information it is impossible to confirm whether these animals were truly wild (from Wisconsin) or perhaps were wolfdog hybrids kept as pets that either escaped or were released intentionally by their owners. You can always share your photos long after the wildlife has gone away from the area. Use quarters or a similar object for measurement. In states like Colorado and parts of California, where people encounter large predators regularly, the public feels more informed about these animals and even excited to see them. Try to aim for the face and nose of the bear as those areas are the most sensitive parts. Recent upticks in cougar sightings east of Nebraska and the Dakotas dont portend a new era in Midwestern cougar populations. This is about 11 miles from where the Aug. 17 photo was captured in Delta County. To learn more about Bigfoot and potentially see him, you should go to Garden of the Gods Outpost near, can you believe it? If possible, go inside a building or get into a vehicle. The DNR verified 52 cougar sightings from 2004 through 2020, according to an interactive map on the agency website, including a record 15 sightings in 2020. On Nov. 8, 2019, a trail camera captured multiple photos of a cougar in western Schoolcraft County. While mountain lions were eliminated from Illinois in the 1860s after habitat loss and over harvesting, they have been a protected species in Illinois the past seven years. I spent some summers on a relatives farm near Golconda in the sixties. Given the limited suitable habitat available now, it may seem unlikely that mountain lions would be seen in Illinois again. There arent going to be tons of pumas in the Shawnee because its not big enough for them to maintain various territories. Young mountain lion tranquilized after roaming from NE to IL | The Make noise to ensure that the mountain lion is aware of your presence. The other differences are highlighted in this graphic of a mountain lion track and a dog track. Get the camera! Its path was confirmed through DNA samples left along its route. Consider making a small monthly contribution to Hiking with Shawn by becoming an official Patreon supporter on Hiking with Shawn! Even so, that was a record. In 2002, a mountain lion was killed by a train in Randolph County. Do not surprise the cougar. It also increases the risk of negative encounters with the animal. This is about 12 miles from the Schoolcraft County trail camera photo taken on November 15, 2019. This is about 1 mile from where another photo was captured on August 30 in Luce County. If they attack, fight for survival like with anything that would attack you. However, in the last several years there have been confirmed sightings of individual mountain lions in the state. Let us know what's going on! A dog in heat will likely attract an animal that we have plentiful amounts of a coyote! Illinois state police transported the cougar to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a full necropsy and DNA analysis by a wildlife biologist. Make noise to ensure that the wolf is aware of your presence. The chance of even encountering a wolf in the Shawnee is probably extremely rarer than encountering a bear or cougar. There have only been a total of 25 confirmed sightings of these apex predators since 2000: Black bears: 2-3; cougars: 13-14; wolves: 8. Cougar Sightings- Tennessee - Google My Maps A Coyote in My Neighborhood or Yard. Reviewable evidence is very helpful during efforts to identify the animal and the location. Dont push your weak friend down and let them get ate while you flee, that isnt very cool. I heard the DNR released them to control the deer population, however, DNR denies this. The increase sightings might be a sign that is could possible in years to come. Wished I lived closer to my beloved forest. Inexperienced observers can easily confuse a coyote for a wolf, especially during the winter, when coyotes have thicker winter coats and thus appear larger. Today, there are no known breeding populations of these large predators in Illinois, though occasionally individual animals will move through looking for new territory. To learn more facts (actual facts) about Black Bear species, habitat, and conservations, see this link. Success! For most of us, the closest well get to a mountain lion in Illinois is by sitting down and reading about them. Filming the videos, taking the photos, editing everything and writing this article takes time and its all provided for free. Bears, Wolves, Cougars. In 2018, for example, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources compiled 501 cougar reports, but considered only 37 as verified or probable. Youll love the area. Large dog tracks are also often misidentified as mountain lion tracks, but there are some telltale differences. College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences. Given their relatively low numbers on the Midwests western fringe, cougars likely dont impact deer numbers. Am I a bear? The graphic below highlights some of the key features used to distinguish coyotes from wolves. The NGPC has been coordinating with state agencies on GPS location data as the animal recently made an eastward journey across Iowa and into Illinois. But officially there is no population it is usually a young male passing through in search of a mate. If you have a laser pointer, maybe shine it away and hope the mountain lion chases it-please video that if you do. On Oct. 6, 2019 a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southern Marquette County. Do not surprise the wolf. The report will be kept quiet and not published if you request it. www.tn.gov. This is about 25 miles from the western Schoolcraft County photo taken on November 8th. Respect the wolfs space, and do not approach the animal. Gray wolves were eliminated from Illinois before 1860 due to hunting pressure. , Your email address will not be published. A fourth was killed by an Illinois Conservation Police officer at a farmstead in Whiteside County in November 2013. OF NATURAL We are those little critters! Booford is the name of the Little Bigfoot and he spends most of his time sleeping in my truck because he is after allpart cougar, LOL, Ill hear something over that one! On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. The street map of Cougar is the most basic version which provides you with a comprehensive outline of the city's essentials. Cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare. This is a limited time offer. This is about 95 miles from where a November 12 photo was captured in Baraga County. You are able to upload photos if you have any. Because of its wide range, the mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a cat of many names, known commonly as puma, panther or cougar. On September 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southern Dickinson County. Do not play dead. Images taken by trail cameras in Jo Daviess County in September 2012, and in Morgan, Pike and Calhoun counties in October and November of that same year, were confirmed by IDNR to be a live mountain lion. Error! This means that at one time, most of what we know as the forest was once home sites and farming communities until the 1930s-1940s when it became a National Forest. Jane Wiedenhoeft, a Wisconsin DNR biologist who investigates cougar reports, says mature males drive juvenile males from their territories. But the Outpost does sell a lot of Bigfoot stuff and buying it will support a local business that depends on your business! A wolf attacking a human is almost unheard of. Really! A human is looking for me. Im not out protesting it and I know the value of hunting to the National Forest, but I dont have to agree with some of it dont hate me, I dont hate you for not agreeing. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources). In recent years, numerous cougar sighting reports have been received from various locations in Michigan. Subscribe now (for a limited time only) and get my free 70+ page35 Hiking Trails of Southern Illinois Guide. Myth: You Must Rinse All Recyclables, Or Else. By contrast, male cougars dont persecute juvenile females, which seldom move far from home when mature enough to breed. A female wolf that had been radio-collared in Wisconsin was tracked into Stephenson County in December 2012. We are always asking if a bear poops in the woods but chances are that we will poop in the woods after encountering a bear long before we find out if it does unless of course you play dead and it has a reason to poop in the woods after it has finished with you. No matter what it is called, its appearance is distinctivea tan coat with a white or cream-colored chin; small, rounded ears, the backs of which are solid black or dark gray; and a thick, tawny tail half as long as its body and tipped with black. Sightings - Wildlife Illinois One that's smoked first. In recent years, there have been multiple confirmed sightings of mountain lions, black bears, and wolves in Illinois. Bears, wolves, and wolverines are also rapidly increasing their populations in Europe after years of decline. RESOURCES, J.B. Pritzker, If the bear seems agitated or defensive towards you, yell and scream at it. Ziegler and Redmer were among the expert hosts of a conference last week at the Brookfield Zoo to start planning how to coordinate the official response when one of these animals comes to town. A male wolf was shot in Pike County in 2005. So, while you should always be cautious when encountering them, the chance of getting attacked by a black bear around here is really slim. People always say they hear about me but never see me I mean Bigfoot gosh darn it! Apex predators are crucial to maintaining the overall health of natural systems, Doty says. Preparedness. IDNR will continue to coordinate with NGPC and other agency partners on this animal while it is in Illinois. There are occasional sightings, and there may possibly be the rare traveler that passes through. The public can report wildlife sightings at www.wildlifeillinois.org/sightings. Have you ever watched a house cat sneak up on a mouse or bird or something like that and pounce them? But not to worry. Thanks for checking out this guide and please share it with others if youd like to see more of them made! The agency also verified a cougar-killed doe in late November farther south and a bit west, along the Barron and Washburn county line. Officials had been tracking its movements through a GPS collar that was attached last fall by researchers in Nebraska. On Nov. 20, 2019, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Ontonagon County. When they roam 500-plus miles to the upper Great Lakes, for example, theyre likely so frustrated by the females absence that they just keep moving. Gray Wolves - Wildlife Illinois You can report the sighting to the DNR and include photos. This is about 12 miles from where the Sep 6th photo was captured in Ontonagon County. To prevent encountering a bear, simply follow these tips: Scream out Hey Bear! every now and then while hiking in the backcountry (or apparently Rend Lake) so that any bear will instantly think to themselves Hey! Urbana, However, in the last few years, weve seen reports of officially vetted sighting of black bears and even mountain lions in the southern Illinois area. Obviously, managing large carnivores like mountain lions is more complicated than managing other species of wildlife. Im new to the area. Cougar - Michigan Cougar Village map Author: SIUE Marketing & Communications Subject: Cougar Village map Keywords: Cougar Village Map, cougar village map, map, cougar village, layout, cougar village layout, cougar village buildings, buildings Created Date: 8/11/2006 2:25:06 PM The DNR said it's very rare for a mountain lion to pose a threat to people or property, but if you do encounter one that doesn't immediately flee, you should stand tall, wave your arms, throw stones or other objects and yell. Average Length: 60 to 95 inches Average Height: 27 to 31 inches at the shoulder Average Weight: 115 to 160 pounds (adult male); 75 to 110 pounds (adult female) Photo: Jeanne Drake, courtesy of Cougar Network There was a problem saving your notification. Kentucky has confirmed only one cougar recently. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Please support Shawns efforts by sharing this post and leaving a comment below. Now we do have similar wildlife that does officially occur within the Shawnee Forest Country. Hiking with Shawn provides videos for entertainment purposes only. On June 1, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Mackinac County. Dont run. Read: Michigan DNR: 10 confirmed cougar sightings in 2021. So what is this on the trail camera? | Page 2 - CattleToday If you ever actually encounter bigfoot, I have no advice for you. This is due to the very low amount of these animals that visit the state as well as potentially providing a safe area for them to return to a habitat occurrence. If the dog is a toy-whatever, the bear might actually start laughing and then eat it. The IDNR is unaware of any self-sustaining populations or packs currently residing in Illinois, but wolves originating from existing populations in Wisconsin (primarily), Michigan, and Minnesota have been documented moving through or temporarily residing in the state. They have bushy tails, narrow chests, long legs, and large feet. State biologists periodically confirm cougars wandering Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri; however, confirmed sightings remain rare to nonexistent in other Midwestern states from Ohio to Kansas. If you were to encounter a bear, lion or wolf and you have a loose dog, the dog will likely try to attack it. I get there when I can and especially in the fall. If you are in a group, gather everyone together, if possible, and move as a group. Gray wolves have been protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code since 2015. This is about 30 miles from where the January 26 photo was captured in Delta County. They have a tan or tawny coat with a white or cream-colored chin, undersides, and inside of legs. A female wolf was killed by a vehicle in La Salle County in December 2013. This isnt a sponsored post but be sure to tell them Hiking with Shawn sent you and he will happily oblige with free ice cream for life. There are problems with that belief. Its believed that the cougars seen in Michigan are escaped or released pets, or transient cougars from breeding populations in North and South Dakota. In the Americas, only the jaguar of South America, Central America, and Mexico are larger. One set of photos even showed a cougar killing a doe in mid-August in Bayfield County, which borders Lake Superior. It has been so long, in fact, that local residents are not used to co-habitating with them although our neighbors in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Minnesota have been doing so all this time. On Oct. 22 a cougar was captured on a trail cam in Waupaca County and then one was . In the event that a bear charges you and attacks fight back! Bears, wolves, cougars and others in the Shawnee National Forest Best of luck to you. She received her masters degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Until trail cameras became popular this century, wildlife agencies struggled to confirm cougar sightings without good tracks, scat or hair samples. Shawn hikes, backpacks and visits various forested areas in the Shawnee National Forest, local state parks and other areas promoting outdoor recreational activities to obtain video to show to locals and non-locals alike. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. The Minnesota DNR verified 31 cougars, mostly on trail cams or dead as roadkill, from 2004 through 2018. On Oct. 29, 2020, the U.S. Dont climb a tree bears are excellent climbers. It is no secret that Black Bear and Mountain Lions occasionally come into Illinois. It might watch you and fantasize about eating youbut youll likely be left alone and never even know that a larger version of Garfield was drooling at the mouth when you walked by it tripping over rocks and dancing from walking into spider webs. If you are camping and have food, hang it up away from where you are sleeping. BFRO Geographical Database of Bigfoot Sightings & Reports A black bear may attack you if you play dead and by playing dead, you are presenting yourself as a potentially easy meal for the bear.