Really! On July 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Ontonagon County. We are those little critters! The public can report large carnivore sightings at WildlifeIllinois.org/sightnings/report. Another was killed by a bow hunter in Mercer County in 2004. But getting attacked is probably not going to happen in the utmost rare moment that you might encounter a mountain lion in the Shawnee National Forest. 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. Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, were native to Michigan but were wiped out in the early 1900s. The IDNR website also says to respect the cougars space, and do not approach the animal. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. For that matter, dont mess with sasquatch at all, eat your beef jerky and leave him the heck alone. | The other differences are highlighted in this graphic of a mountain lion track and a dog track. The big cats have regularly reappeared over the past few decades, with many sightings coming from the increased public use of trail cameras. But the Outpost does sell a lot of Bigfoot stuff and buying it will support a local business that depends on your business! You have permission to edit this article. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. 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. A female wolf was trapped and released in Whiteside County in December 2012. As always, be safe out there when exploring the Shawnee National Forest and leave with good memories, not bad injuries. Visual identification of wolves can be very difficult. The chances of you encountering any will be extremely low especially since there isnt a population but it is better to be prepared than to not be prepared at all and that is the purpose of this article. On November 7, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southwest Baraga County. Southern Illinois has the most contiguous forest in the state but still could not support many mountain lions, saysJoy OKeefe, University of Illinois Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Assistant Professor and Extension wildlife specialist. Cougars who are posing an immediate threat to humans can be killed. Massachusetts If completely safe to do so, take photos/video footage of the animal, its tracks and scat. In the extremely rare event that you ever witness a mountain lion in the Shawnee National Forest, treat them exactly like you would treat an encounter with a Black Bear. There have been some confirmed sightings in Tennessee. We defiantly have coyotes as well and an abundance of them. (Michigan Department of Natural Resouces). With that note, you might not want to report Bigfoot sighting to IDNR. Do Not Play Dead. Look as large as possible by standing up straight and putting your arms up in the air and slowly back away. Keep up the great work and stay safe. Once people know they are here, they will often try to seek out the animal. The Big Muddy Monster is totally different, the people of Murphysboro will murder you if you attempt to take that away from them and they have a pretty muddy river to get rid of you in. There was a problem saving your notification. Although not expressly prohibited, wolfdog hybrids may be confiscated by local animal control authorities as the rabies vaccines used for dogs are not certified for wolfdog hybrids. They have bushy tails, narrow chests, long legs, and large feet. Rare Visitors to Illinois: Large Carnivores. According to the IDNR website, if you see a cougar, do not run. This is about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured in Ontonagon County. The satellite view will help you to navigate your way through foreign places with more precise image of the location. Illinois does not have sufficient habitat to support stable populations of these large predators. 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. This is about 10 miles from where a July 19 photo was captured in Marquette County. "We really seemed to see an. Consider making a small monthly contribution to Hiking with Shawn by. If you have recently seen a gray wolf in Illinois, please report the sighting to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Bass Crash Course: Topwater Pointers for Buzzbaits, Walking Baits, Go Big or Go Home to Hook Lunker Summer Bass, Best New Baitcasting Rods & Reels for 2022, Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, Sweet Streams: 5 Hot Rivers for Midwest Smallies, Make Crawfish Part of Perfect Summertime Meal, Tackle Test 2022: Top Bass Rods & Reels Reviewed, Awesome Start to Minnesota Turkey Hunting, Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection. Large predators occasionally pass through Illinois but are not here to stay. Biologists, however, consider cougar predation on deer and other wildlife in areas without breeding populations to be insignificant. Subscribe now (for a limited time only) and get my free 70+ page35 Hiking Trails of Southern Illinois Guide. 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. People always say they hear about me but never see me I mean Bigfoot gosh darn it! Howdy Sharon! To learn more about Bigfoot and potentially see him, you should go to Garden of the Gods Outpost near, can you believe it? The government could help make that possible by dropping them into the forest with helicopters like they do with rattlesnakes and armadillos That is joke people! If the bear seems agitated or defensive towards you, yell and scream at it. Illinois now has a large population of white-tailed deer due in part to the lack of predators.While predators are an important part of the ecosystem and research from the Illinois Natural History Survey shows people in Illinois have a neutral stance on their recolonization, Doty says there are no plans to reintroduce them to the state. If the bear attacks, it is time to fight for survival. Never turn your back on them-most attacks happen to hikers and mountain bikers out west when the cats pounce on them from behind. One set of photos even showed a cougar killing a doe in mid-August in Bayfield County, which borders Lake Superior. So, while you should always be cautious when encountering them, the chance of getting attacked by a black bear around here is really slim. Attacks from the animals do happen to humans but they are rare even if the areas where these critters are flourish with them. After running into a nearby woods, the young cat seemingly vanished without a trace. In April 2008, a mountain lion was shot and killed by law enforcement officers in the Roscoe Village neighborhood in Chicago. . 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. The Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed a mountain lion in Shannon County in February 2020. Anyone know if this is true? In 2019, the Wisconsin DNR verified 12 cougar sightings with trail cameras. They are now listed as an endangered species in Michigan and have been spotted on 76 occasions since 2008. If you have had a sighting in the United States, Canada, or any other country, please take a moment and report it to our team of scientists. A wolf attacking a human is almost unheard of. January 26, 2021 The IDNR experts believe this may be the same cougar, also known as a mountain lion or puma, captured on a trail camera in Whiteside County on Sept. 28, which was confirmed by the IDNR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Adults are large sleek cats with small heads. OF NATURAL Given their relatively low numbers on the Midwests western fringe, cougars likely dont impact deer numbers. This is about 50 miles from where a June 25 photo was captured in Houghton County. Several large mammals that we are not used to seeing in the Chicago region have been turning up occasionally in recent years. The goal of their project was to develop a regional map that highlights suitable habitat and connectivity, referring to a physical network of pathways linking locations where cougars may live. Some bigfoot sightings in the Shawnee occur around Franks Tract near Lusk Creek while others have reported to see Bigfoot and its family enjoying ice cream around Karbers Ridge. The U.S. Here are some recent reports from around the Midwest. This is about 48 miles from the southern Marquette County photo taken on October 6. This is about 5 miles from where another photo was captured on October 13 in Mackinac County. | The mountain lion/cougar probably occurred throughout most of the state originally, but nowhere in great numbers. Will we see more of these wild predators in the coming years? Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer. In recent years, there have been multiple confirmed sightings of mountain lions, black bears, and wolves in Illinois. It also increases the risk of negative encounters with the animal. December 23, 2021: On December 23, 2021, cougar tracks were found in southwestern Delta County. 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 government doesnt do that, dont make them think I was serious and hate me because of it. One set of photos even showed a cougar killing a doe in mid-August in Bayfield County, which borders Lake Superior. Young male cougars often get photographed by trail cameras as they slip through an area, never to be seen again. Three months later, it remarkably surfaced inside Chicago city limits, where it was shot and killed in a back alley by Chicago police, who feared it was about to attack. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. Laura Kammin is an Educational Programming Specialist with National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Strike it with walking sticks, your knife and so on. That will be a disaster which could lead to your buddy or you getting bit by to Coyote in the process. If it is a full moon, automatically assume they are werewolves! On January 26, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Delta County. A mountain lion is not likely to attack a person unless it feels trapped, provoked, or if you appear to be preywhich is why you should not run away from a mountain lion. With farm harvest season continuing, white-tail deer are on the run out of fields and onto roadways. This is about 120 miles from where a November 7 photo was captured in Baraga County. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. "Well need to learn how to live with them during the periods when they move through adopting anti-predator behaviors, such as keeping pets and children indoors or under supervision if near locations where the animals are seen," O'Keefe says. Do not surprise the mountain lion. Have you seen my belly? The last known wild cougar legally taken in the state occurred in 1906 near Newberry. Shawnee National Forest is a second growth forest. To coexist with large cats and other predators is a matter of tolerating them during the periods when they visit our state. Chances are that the cat will notice you, way before you notice it and hide. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. A conservation officer shot it in December 2014. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. However, one intrepid big cat headed east from western South Dakota in autumn 2009; traversed eastern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula from December 2009 through May 2010; crossed into Ontario and then into northern New York; and eventually died as roadkill in June 2011 on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Connecticut (see map, page 32). If permitted by the witness, the sighting report and the followup investigation notes are added to the main sightings database (accessible . 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. So, this means that it is illegal or harass, injure, or kill a black bear or mountain lion in the State of Illinois unless you are in immediate danger of one. Give a Gift The State Journal-Register reported cougar sightings north of here in 2012. A fourth was killed by an Illinois Conservation Police officer at a farmstead in Whiteside County in November 2013. The most important rule of encountering a black bear is to never play dead. Concerns About Seeing Wildlife. 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. Related stories from The Olympian Humph. The agency also verified a cougar-killed doe in late November farther south and a bit west, along the Barron and Washburn county line. Unlike dog tracks, wolf tracks often appear with the hind track on top of the front track (known as direct registration). It turns out that wolves, bears, and cougars have been returning to Illinois as their populations have grown in several neighboring states. Also include images of the wider area where the tracks were found, including the tracks as well as features that can be located if the tracks are destroyed. Because they are protected, mountain lions may not legally be hunted, killed or harassed unless there is an imminent threat to person or property. This is about 120 miles from where a November 27, 2020 photo was captured in Schoolcraft County. Until trail cameras became popular this century, wildlife agencies struggled to confirm cougar sightings without good tracks, scat or hair samples. On November 27, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar near Gulliver Lake, in Schoolcraft County. Your email address will not be published. It is best to report to the DNR and let them handle it from there. Thanks. This is a limited time offer. I mean come on people Garden of the Gods Outposts Sassy and now Harrisburg? If you are camping and have food, hang it up away from where you are sleeping. This is about 14 miles from where the Sept. 18 photo was captured in northern Delta County. Im new to the area. Urbana, You might not want to bring the pet rabbit on the trail-it might be an easy meal for these big critters. SOURCES: Peggy Doty, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator; Joy OKeefe, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Assistant Professor, Wildlife Extension Specialist. Should you see a mountain lion on your property, and you feel that you or your property is being threatened, contact the IDNR to learn about the options available to address potential threats. The Iowa DNR confirmed about 16 cougar sightings from 1995 to 2014. This is about 12 miles from the Schoolcraft County trail camera photo taken on November 15, 2019. Of course, back then, we had Black Bear, wolves, and mountain lions. Consider making a small monthly contribution to Hiking with Shawn by becoming an official Patreon supporter on Hiking with Shawn! Cougars for example might travel a few thousand miles looking for a mate. In some journals dating back to very earlier pioneer settlement days, people often said there were so many big trees that the area looked like nighttime in the middle of the day and that it was scary. 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. Cougars can be confused with bobcats and domestic dogs, however cougars are much larger than all these . 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! If you need help, let me know! 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! Recent upticks in cougar sightings east of Nebraska and the Dakotas dont portend a new era in Midwestern cougar populations. Bears, Wolves, Cougars. On Sept. 6, 2019, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in Ontonagon County, northeast of Bergland. 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. Fish and Wildlife Service. Make noise to ensure that the wolf is aware of your presence. Following a February 10, 2022, court order, gray wolves in the contiguous 48 states, with the exception of the Northern Rocky Mountain population, are once again protected under the Endangered Species Act as threatened in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining states. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. Lastly, please share this article and our videos and follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumbler for more free guides, videos, photos, contests and more! But it has been over 100 years: cougars, wolves, and bears were all last seen in the state in the 1860s. Dont run as it may agitate the bear and put it into chase mode. Dont run. The cougar, Puma concolor, also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, puma and catamount, is the largest feline animal in North America. On February 20, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southeastern Schoolcraft County while conducting wolf track surveys. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed that there have been at least six mountain lions in Illinois between 2002 and 2019. Mike Redmer points out that historically Illinois has actually been native territory for these large carnivores. In the Americas, only the jaguar of South America, Central America, and Mexico are larger. Again, I am not telling you what to do but that is what I will do. Secondly, mountain lions are really territorial and loners. May 17, 2020: On May 17, 2020, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. In all seriousness, dont screw with the big cat, give it plenty of space to escape you and never turn your back on it. This is about 25 miles from the western Schoolcraft County photo taken on November 8th. Most bear attacks occur when people have food on them in their tent. January 12, 2021: On January 12, 2021, a security camera captured and tracks were found from a cougar in Southwestern Schoolcraft County. Weight: 15-30 pounds Length: About 30-50 inches long Tail: About 4-5 inches long Mountain Lion Weight: 80-160 pounds Length: About 7-8 feet long Tail: 2-3 feet long (up to half of the total length) Identification The mountain lion is a large, slender cat, with a long rope-like tail. Report Feral Swine Sightings. Respect the mountain lions space and do not approach it. On Sept. 2, 2019, a trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. Black bears and mountain lions are legally Threatened Species in the State of Illinois. There havent been any updates on 2022 sightings on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website yet this year. That is my opinion and I know some will disagree and that is fine. Domestic dogs attack more humans per week than wolves do in a decade. In addition, the biologists will look to find where the animal came from and its travels across the Midwest. Squirrels with Missing Fur. On June 25, 2021, trail camera photos were captured of a cougar in northern Houghton County. That animal has a GPS collar that was originally attached a year ago in Nebraska as part of a research project. Other bear sightings have been officially vetted in and around the Shawnee National Forest over the years. A human is looking for me. There have been eight confirmed mountain lions in Illinois between 2002 and . o the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Subscriber Services. Also include images of the wider area where the tracks were found, including other local features that can be located if the tracks are destroyed by weather. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. Hiking with Shawn provides videos for entertainment purposes only. This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in Schoolcraft County on February 20, 2020. This is about 165 miles from where the June 6 photo was captured in Chippewa 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! Reviewable evidence is very helpful during efforts to identify the animal and the location. The chance of even encountering a wolf in the Shawnee is probably extremely rarer than encountering a bear or cougar. Keep in mind that dog tracks are highly variable in size. The cougar is the largest wildcat in North America, north of Mexico. Kentucky has confirmed only one cougar recently. By contrast, male cougars dont persecute juvenile females, which seldom move far from home when mature enough to breed. 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. 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. I better get the heck out of here! or at least that is what I think they think. This is about 115 miles from where the March 31 video was captured in Dickinson County. 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. URBANA, Ill. - Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. Size comparison of a six-foot-tall man and a . Since, its verified 20 more sightings, including one killed in January 2019 by bird hunters. Get the camera! I call bull. Instead of playing dead, slowly but carefully attempt to leave the area after making the bear aware of your presence. In states like Colorado and parts of California, where people encounter large predators . A male wolf was shot in Pike County in 2005. This is about 50 miles from where the May 13 photo was captured in Dickinson County. Zudiema has now documented 1,100 cougar sightings in upper . I did write this guide that you might find useful https://www.hikingwithshawn.com/shawnee-national-forest-snakes/. First reported as a deer, the cougar was running across Interstate 88 near eastbound milepost 104.25 when struck and killed. If it attacks, fight for your life! Mountain lions, also known as cougars and pumas, were historically found across North America but are now primarily in the western states. If the bear huffs and growls and false charges you, then it is upset with you and wants its space. An IDNR biologist will review the information provided and attempt to use it to confirm the species and location of the sighting. 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. In 2019, the Wisconsin DNR verified 12 cougar sightings with trail cameras. Officials had been tracking its movements through a GPS collar that was attached last fall by researchers in Nebraska. Cougars are five to eight feet long and 27 to 31 inches at the shoulder with an average weight ranging from 75 to 160 pounds depending on gender. Dont approach or attempt to feed them. Would you include a good list of snakes in the region, and what to do when they find you? Nebraska has breeding populations in three areas: Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills and the Niobrara River Valley. 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. Gray wolves have been protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code since 2015. Try to aim for the face and nose of the bear as those areas are the most sensitive parts. 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. The agency also verified a cougar-killed doe in late November farther south and a bit west, along the Barron and Washburn county line. If they attack, fight for survival like with anything that would attack you. Wolfdog hybrids do not make good pets. A female wolf was killed by a vehicle in La Salle County in December 2013. To date, there have been 11 confirmed gray wolves in Illinois since 2002. The increase sightings might be a sign that is could possible in years to come. Cats, including mountain lions, walk with their claws retracted, so claw marks will not appear in their tracks. 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. In 2013, a conservation warden killed one inside a Whiteside County barn. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. The IDNR will work with you to identify the threat and assist you with control measures. 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.
