Invalid password or account does not exist. Standing in profile on top of the mound was a mountain lion. If youre still curious, read on to brush up on your mountain lion knowledge. The latest sighting happened Wednesday afternoon, according to a News4 viewer who says she spotted the animal near the Beltway exit to Connecticut Avenue. Mountain lion prints are . Mountain lions became scarce in the East after a bounty system wiped out most predatory animals. Some kitty this is!An outfit known as the Cougar Network (www.easterncougarnet.org) tracks cougar sightings all over the various states where cougar populations are not known to exist. A mountain lion reportedly showed up last week in a section of the Fernwood State Forest in eastern Ohio not far from Steubenville. This is especially true of western Maryland. l went around a tight right bend and, 100 feet up, walking the same way was a cougar. In comparison to our GSD, I estimated it to be around 70lbs. I was going to attempt to somehow categorize these sightings, but I find that task overwhelming. From D:My wife came home a couple of years ago and told me she saw two cougars crossing Range Road, a joint jurisdiction road between Fort Dix and Browns Mills, NJ, I told her they must have been something else. But I know what I saw. A work colleague of mine lives in Layton, a town next to Walpack in Sussex County. Below is the information about mountain lion sightings in maryland 2021 . The MLRT has confirmed fewer than 100 cases. AZGFD sold 11,851 tags in 2021; 260 mountain. var year = today.getFullYear() The government says they don't exist here. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. I wish I had turned around and taken photos but, where it was located, it would have taken me too long. I was on my deck at around 10 in the morning. Sighting of this animal also occurred in Michigan and New York. Over the years I have heard stories of other encounters. White-tailed deer are the most abundant large animals in the park. Home Pennsylvania Opinion Search for cougarscontinues in Pennsylvania, If youre a regular reader of this publication, or one of my neighbors, then you already know my father and, A fish may see a parade of presentations go by, therefore yours should be better than the rest. Residents should also report any mountain lion sightings to by calling Fish and Game's Southwest. She shared the pictures with Animal Control Officer Michelle Lefleche, who posted two on Facebook. I had to slam on the brakes so as not to hit it. As of Sept. 7, 12 animals have been tagged statewide thus far. Bobcats are found in the mountains of western Maryland, even in some counties along the Chesapeake Bay and one sighting came from the Eastern Shore. Animal control officers say they are taking the reports seriously. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "They were nearly exterminated by the early 1900s, but they retreated into the wild.". A mountain lion, seen above, was sighted on Ash Street in Webster Sunday. In. CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaii (KITV4) -- A possible big cat sighting is being investigated on the Big Island. We had just finished setting up the stuff on the driveway and were just sitting enjoying the silence when we both spotted what looked like a giant cat across the street on the edge of the field near the tree line. 12 Reply catvideomaniac 4 yr. ago That is just some newly divorced woman in her back yard. From PD:Read your article about mountain lions in NJ. Then, a gentleman who worked in our IT department said, I believe you. I myself saw one back around 2008 off of Watervale Rd in Fallston, Harford County. Night-time trail camera photos indicate one or possibly two mountain lions are still using neighborhoods near the river corridor in McCall. Someone photographed the animal at the Brunswick School on Greenwich, Connecticut about 40 miles away on June 5th. So, thanks to all who reached out, and to all who are as fascinated about this subject as I am. Many people do not realize how large a grown Bobcat is. Create a password that only you will remember. From ER:Many years ago - back in late 2012 I was preparing a yard sale with my youngest daughter (she was 12 at the time) on our driveway in Ringwood, NJ. More than half of California is mountain lion habitat and mountain lions generally exist wherever deer are found. In this video we discuss why we have reached our conclusion as well as explaining some natural history about this species. Please limit your input to 500 characters. adroll_current_page = "other"; One other gentleman and I almost 10 years ago saw a mountain lion on our worksite in Clinton NJ. Lioneither a young one or a female I figured..went home, called NJF&G at the time, and reported it.. asked if they were interested in setting a culvert-type trap to capture it.they seemed pretty disinterested at the time, said it wasn't feasible as we were in a residential type area.. the day after with fresh snow on the ground we returned to find where it had stalked and killed a wild turkey.it was obvious to us with the winged slash marks still in the snow and where it walked downhill with the turkey in its mouth pushing the snow to the sides of it making a smooth pathway..it was something my son and I will never forget. There have been only two caseswhere evidence supports the presence of a mountain lion in Massachusetts. Our wildlife research team decided to help take the mystery out of the sighting by going to the location and comparing the size of the animal to stationary objects in the frame as well as a human subject. The last confirmed records of the Eastern Cougar's existence were in 1938 in Maine. Pearson said people should be vigilant on the Greenbelt, especially between dusk and dawn. Big cats suffered the same fate all over the East Coast except in Florida, where a small, endangered group of panthers still roams the Everglades. In the '70s, Jungle Habitat was located here in West Milford. -Mountain lions are classified as big game. Someone else reported seeing the cat last February. 13507065_10205364039255335_8657515368052999240_n.jpg. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but I do know that there are mountain lions - or at least one lion - in the area. The same year, The Sun ran a story headlined "A Mysterious Big Cat Roams Maryland," which focused on a flurry of cougar reports in Western Maryland. Definitely, a mountain lion after I googled the print.Some years ago there was a really bad coyote problem at the Wawayanda State Park. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Are there mountain lions in Massachusetts?, is. MassWildlife cannot investigate or confirm mountain lion reports without any evidence. The mountain lion is rare in Missouri, having been extirpated since the 1920s; occasional individuals wander here from other states. I lived on a street with houses spaced widely - and a soccer field across the street which was next to a wooded space, a creek, and a pond. Despite this fact, Massachusetts residents continue to report mountain lion sightings. Today, mountain lions are found in the mountainous regions of the West. It was when the reservoir was really low. Contact Laura Jean Schneider at LauraJean@eacourier.com, Mountain lions leave bloody path in Clifton, {child_flags:featured}Co-existing with nature, -The scientific name given to mountain lions is Puma concolor, meaning cat of one color.. adroll_pix_id = "UONCO23J7FHDDMDTKEX733"; But that was definitely what it was. Alaska At the time I think my daughter was about five. Use anything at your disposal: a stick, rock, or better yet, bear spray. Maryland - There have been many sightings of mountain lions and a lot of debate about the existence of mountain lions in Maryland. Habitat. For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month! How can a diminutive pigeon ever look like a majestic bald eagle? In certain situations, the similarities in the silhouette are remarkable. This occurred in the spring of 2017. From RE:Hi Joe, no one believed me but back in about 1986 I was. There were five yearling animals, four 2-year-old animals, two 3-year-olds and five 4-year-olds. When evidence is submitted, MassWildlife carefully reviews the evidence in its entirety and attempts to verify the report. I saw it too while jogging at lunchtime. At least someone else believed me. Hunters do not stumble across the remains of dead mountain lions in the woods, he says. Search for cougars continues in Pennsylvania. Your email address will not be published. "We do not have a population of mountain lions." Fishers had been in decline due to development and loss of habitat, but DNR is reporting that their numbers are now increasing and are prevalent. There are always rumors about what state fish and wildlife agencies in the eastern United States know about mountain lions. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Laura Newberry | laura.newberry@masslive.com, Are there Mountain Lions in Massachusetts? Read more about the status of Mountain Lions in Alabama here. We see dead deer all of the time, but deer do not have big paws as this thing did. As it was running I noticed that it was way too large and had a large tail. On we go with just some of the reports I've received in the last few days: From RB:I've been reading your stories about mountain lion sightings, I too have seen a mountain lion; this was during the early spring or late winter of 2021. Please give us a call at 928-428-2560, Copyright It walked into the tree line and disappeared. Weight. adroll_currency = "USD"; Both labs confirmed the sample came from a mountain lion. Bobcats are found in the mountains of western Maryland, even in some counties along the Chesapeake Bay and one sighting came from the Eastern Shore. "It was a cougar," insists the 57-year-old Catonsville woman. An Ohio Division of Wildlife officer said he watched the . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. People from all parts of the city are posting accounts. Mountain lions are helpful in maintaining order in our ecosystem and assist to keep other wildlife numbers in check. Fish and Game has to acknowledge their existence so the public is aware. ". Very interesting piece. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. By LAURA JEAN SCHNEIDER Cars do not kill or injure cougars crossing roads. This still from a local video clip of a mountain lion taken Tuesday morning shows a big cat crossing a ditch before he disappears into the cotton field. What drew me to it was the seeming paws. I called it in and was told there are no mountain lions in NJ. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. . In her post, Lefleche told her friends not to panic. A couple of sightings involved captive mountain lions that escaped from licensed facilities in New York State. I dont doubt that womans experience in South Jersey one little bit! Suddenly my son stopped on the trail due to a large cat on the trail. Mountain Lion Sighting. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. Trump plans to abolish U.S. Education Department if elected, Trump won't commit to the Republican National Committee's loyalty pledge, New Jersey woman blows up house, killing herself and her cats, rather than comply with eviction, Nancy Pelosi criticizes Joe Biden admin over handling of D.C. crime bill, Trump promises GOP will never again be led by 'freaks, neocons, globalists, open borders zealots', Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC Turned its head and looked right at me for several seconds. "They never left," Mr. Lutz argues. They are also known as pumas, cougars and panthers. It was crossing Clove Rd. Nov. 11, 2021 - A California Mountain Lion was seen at approximately 4:52 p.m. on Nov. 11 near the University Glen water tanks and on the main part of the campus near Santa Barbara Street and Camarillo Street. What does the perfect setup look like for spring steelhead? We do get photos/videos sent to us claiming to have witnessed a mountain lion but it is almost always a bobcat or sometimes even a house cat. Officials are asking that people avoid the park as they investigate the report. To me, it was not a dog and then carry itself like a dog. I was driving on a dark and stormy night about 9 years ago on Rt-515 just off of Rt-23. Therres says the last of Marylands natural cougar populations disappeared in the late 1800s, probably due to the lack of the cats favorite food: venison. Another sighting was on Storms Ave in Haskell NJ. Also, Bobcats are spreading into areas in which they have not been seen before. POCATELLOMountain lions are being sighted throughout Pocatello, according to official reports and social media posts from local residents. I was excited for my husband to see it too, so I kept calling him and going to the dining room so he could hear me, as he was downstairs, but unfortunately by then, the mountain lion was no longer in my sight. Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? In April 1997, experienced tracker John McCarter found scat near a beaver carcass at the Quabbin Reservation. Well, that latest story has exploded, going viral and being shared all across the state. AFGFD said the data suggest the statewide population of mountain lions is stable to increasing, with an annual population estimate at 2,876 animals since 2004. In 1996 MDC established a Mountain Lion Response Team (MLRT) with specially trained staff to investigate reports and evidence of mountain lions. We had a tree that was partially blown over in a Noreaster creating a lifted-up mound of earth. From DJ:I used to live on Albrecht Lane in East Brunswick. It was early morning so it was pretty quiet. My house, which is located in Hewitt, NJ (West Milford township), faces the woods, which is actually the edge of Wawayanda State Park. Mountain lions have a long tail that is usually darker colored at the tip. The main habitat requirement for mountain lions is stalking cover to successfully hunt prey. Then he realized from the length of its tail and the shape of its body that it was a mountain lion. This map shows the various zones where mountain lions are hunted statewide, as determined by the Arizona Fish and Game Department. It came out of the woods and stopped in the middle of the road right in front of me in the headlights. Mountain lions were classified as a game species by the Nebraska State Legislature in 1995, mandating the Commission to set hunting seasons only if the lion population was large enough to sustain a harvest. We won't share it with anyone else. If you see a mountain lion, report the sighting immediately to Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045 or the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 949-770-6011. It was ENORMOUS! It scowled and flipped its long just before it leaped down the bank towards the fawns. From RE:I live and work in Wayne, about 8 to 10 years ago a woman who started her shift at about 5 am said she saw a mountain lion walking through our property one morning. There was no question as to what it was, with its coloring and long tail. Copyright 1998- You have permission to edit this article. And yes I believe these other stories. None of the rumors are true. There has only been 1 confirmed mountain lion sighting on the coastal side of I5 since around the 1970's or 80's, that info can be confirmed with any local park ranger. If your state is not . In 2014, the mountain lion conservation program was established to coordinate scientific research and population monitoring to inform big game management, species management plans and habitat conservation and protection. For an overview you may wish to view A Timeline of Bounty and Sport Hunting of Mountain Lions in the United States or our poster Where Do We Go From Here? Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. On the subject of large wild cats, you should know that Maryland and neighboring states like West Virginia, Virginia, or Pennsylvania, are definitely home to thriving populations of bobcats. Though the government states the species is extinct, hundreds of sightings are still reported on a daily basis, particularly after the 2011 sighting of an Eastern mountain lion in Greenwich, Conn. There are two records of mountain lions in Massachusetts thatmeet the evidence requirements. I then said to my friend, oh wow he said what did you see I said no you tell me, he then described that he saw a big brown animal with a little face and a big tail in a different color brown than the deer, I then told him I saw it as well and it was a cougar he thought I was crazy for saying that and then I showed him an article where someone had just seen it at Burnham Park in Morristown a week or so before that was only a few miles away. And, if. Around 3 p.m., a. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, panther, or puma. The Damned Story: Eastern mountain lions, or pumas or cougars, were last officially seen in Connecticut near the end of the 19th century.A threat to livestock, they were hunted out of the state and driven to parts more wild. The sighting has been reported to the state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, which has historically debunked such observations. Mountain Lions have a status of extirpated in Alabama, there have been no confirmed sightings in the state in over 50 years. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. I only saw the back half of the animal which was muscular, tan colored with a long tail that curled at the end. Offer valid thru 3/31/23. A mountain lion sighting was reported at, Showshoe West Virginia. From EW:Lions in NJmy son and myself were on a hunt in a ground blind on a friend's farm in Liberty Corner, NJ Somerset CoFebruary 19, 1996.roughly around 4:00 pm in the afternoon I thought a deer had entered the pine forest we were adjacent to.we were actually hunting bushy tails with flintlock smoothbores as deer season was closed. Arizona mountain lion tags are available over-the-counter or can be purchased by mail for $15 to Arizona locals. Heres how to pull big bluegills from Iowas West Lake Okoboji, A look at some other ways to call in a spring gobbler, How to catch and cook whitefish and tullibees, Nows the time to savor the fruits of the hunting experience. Yet this young male traveled about 1,800 miles. "It's a mountain lion," the officer said. "As always, if you leave wildlife alone and respect it, the wildlife will reciprocate," she wrote. The USDA's Forest Service Wildlife Genetics Laboratory found that the animal came from South Dakota. While they haven't confirmed it is a mountain lion, they say it could very well be one. The report stated that a woman spotted a mountain lion in Greenbelt. There is no indication of population decline, the department said. from afar it looked like silk black fur. I KNOW WHAT I SAW and to this day every time I bring up this in conversation nobody believes me. Last year he recorded 11 cougar sightings in Maryland, 38 in Pennsylvania and six in Virginia. For more information on mountain lions, visit the . A mountain lion, seen above, was sighted on Ash Street in Webster Sunday. I was leaving Westville towards the mall. half a mile before you reach the Deptford Mall. This gave Nebraska lions some protection under Commission ruling until 2014 when, in a controversial decision, hunting permits were issued . The policeman, who didn't want to be identified, says he was on his way home from work about 3 a.m. when the cougar crossed Circle Road in an wooded area adjacent to Robert E. Lee Memorial Park. There have been no reports of injuries associated with this creature. From MK:I just read your article about mountain lions in NJ. The bobcat is the only resident "big cat" with. He caught the animal in his headlights and, at first, thought it was a large Labrador retriever. Today, their range stretches from the Yukon Territory in Canada along the western coast of the United States, all the way to the Southern Andes in Chile. Wick Communications. Turkey vultures return to Ohio a sure harbinger of the coming spring? 24K views 4 years ago #cougar #mountainlion #maryland On May 31, 2018 an interesting video of an animal walking across a field was captured in the Fallston area of Harford County, Maryland. Hunters must also possess a valid hunting license, which is $37 for residents. To visit any of the states for which we have already compiled information, click on the states listed below. #1 The tail. A video posted Tuesday on Facebook of a mountain lion ambling across a dirt road near Edens Red Knolls has snagged a lot of interest, according to social media views and discussion. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Let us know what's going on! It was heading northeast toward Peapack, NJ. They told me they would investigate and let me know, but I never received a callback. I slowed down and when slowed down it took off really fast into the woods. However, one must assume that it actually could happen. Another sighting was at Berkshire Valley Road by my neighbor. Well, as luck would have it, my co worker took this very nice pic of a mature female mountain lion last week just south of Uniontown Pa. The Missouri Dept of Conservation release information regarding a vehicle striking a mountain lion (cougar) not far from Six Flags. They can weigh between 50-300 lbs. I know it is not technically in maryland but I highly doubt this cat knows where the state line is located and stays on the Pa. side all the time. July 31, 2018 / 4:17 PM Please use caution. Five other people also allegedly saw what they thought was a mountain lion in the area, Lefleche said. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. l never heard from the State. 10 Reply Gov_Martin_OweMalley 4 yr. ago ". ; track sets or photos of track sets; other tangible physical evidence verified by qualified professionals. GREENBELT, Md. These areas are heavily wooded reserves owned by Morris County and the State of New Jersey. "It was sitting there looking at the smoke coming out of our chimney.". Admission is $6 for ages 16 and over, $2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and free for . After reading your article I'm not so sure, maybe she really did see them. Therres reminds us all that it is very easy to misidentify a mountain lion by providing an example of people constantly misidentifying bald eagles. It was looking away from us attempting to catch a number of small deer that [were] on the riverbank. Over the past 25 years, dozens of Maryland residents have reported cougar encounters, even though wildlife officials insist that mountain lions haven't roamed the state for at least a century. I live in Holland Township NJ. All rights reserved (About Us). The Washington Times - September 25, 2008, 01:00PM, Washington Commanders team name and logo reveal from Fedex Field, Scenes from snow storm that hit Washington, Warriors wanted: Army Green Beret training. Genetic analyses confirmed the hair was from a male mountain lion and the propbable population of origin was Colorado. Eastern Arizona Courier, Co-existing with nature: Wildlife specialists help both sides get along, Update credit card information AZGFD for 2023 spring hunts. (I've chosen to protect the identities of those who've shared their stories with me. Now and then MassWildlife gets a report with a photo of a mountain lion. Shes 18 now. l then got to thinking about a description, the color is rather unique. lt calmly looked back then almost bent its body in half, using only its front legs to face me. Glenn Therres, a biologist and wildlife specialist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources says, We receive a dozen or two dozen reports a year from citizens who see, hear or find signs of cougars. The oldest tooth-aged mountain lion tagged in 2021 was 10. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but l have since never taken that ride. From DS:I also spotted a mountain lion on Almonesson Rd Deptford NJ about 1 am. (DS says her sighting was from earlier this summer.). l thought "oh shit" and figured l could try to use my bicycle for protection and dismounted. Mountain lion fur is unspotted and tan-brown . "These animals have usually been misidentified because they were seen under poor conditions or by someone not familiar with the species," the post goes on to say. After the male mountain lion was removed from Red Hill Trail on May 11, additional sightings in that area were reported: one on May 16, and two over the weekend of May 19 and 20. var today = new Date() Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. Mountain lions inhabit the badlands and Missouri River breaks regions of North Dakota. In Maryland, what inquiring minds want to know is whether big cats are prowling suburbia. The network doesnt believe phone callers, such as the ones the Maryland DNR hears of a large cat the size of a German shepherd or larger dog walking down the trail.Youve got to do better than that, says the Cougar Networks professional big-cat specialists. -Arizonas first lion management plan took the form of paying a bounty for every lion killed where the pelt was turned over to authorities. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "It was so unusual," she says. From HR:I saw a MountainLion in the fall of 2017 in Bedminster/Far Hills NJ while driving south on Rt 206/Lamington Rd. adroll_version = "2.0"; Another sighting involved a wild cougar that traveled through New York as it trekked nearly 1,800 miles east from its native population in South Dakota. The Pa. Game Commission investigated this picture. One neighbor described the creature as larger and wider than a deer, with the long tail of a cat. Greenbelt Park is managed by the National Park Service. 23 in West Milford NJ about 50 yards from the highway a huge cat ran across the trail in front of me maybe 25 feet from my front tire. From EG:About 10 years ago I used to frequent west Milford NJ. Saw one in my backyard in Mercer County in 2018. The same spot, just trying to get to my donkeys late at night. Park rangers alerted the historical society to inform members that these big cats have been spotted in the area. Cougars must be identified by having been captured, found dead, or the investigators must have seen definite tracks or other evidence. On Tuesday, September 28, the Choconut Inn in Friendsville, Pennsylvania jumped in on the conversation with a Facebook post that read, "Hi everyone there's been numerous mountain lion sightings by Quaker Lake. A person I lost touch with is also convinced they are around the northwest part of Somerset county he was hunting somewhere near Raritan valley community college and photographed a giant paw print in the snow that was clearly a cougar print. About 10 years ago I saw one crossing a narrow, rural road in Chester Township, NJ. I have seen it more than once. Some believe a mountain lion may be lurking in northwest Washington. The screaming stopped and a few minutes later I spotted it in my backyard. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. I went home to look it up to ensure I was correct - Mountain Lion. The first one in recent history was in 2008 . Yes, they have been here for years. From ED:Im a believer. Another cougar buff, zoologist Donald Linzey, has collected 250 reports of mountain lions in Virginia over 11 years and believes 85 are credible. An adult male mountain lion can have a home range greater than 100 square miles. There are occasional reports of people who think they saw one, maybe they even took a blurry picture, but those are most likely bobcats. Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC. "She was hesitant to report it because she thought people wouldn't believe her," Lefleche told the paper. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. ", With its long tail and sleek, cat-like body, the animal was unquestionably a mountain lion, Mrs. Vanosnabrugge says. Evidence could include the body of a dead mountain lion or a live wild-captured animal; photos or video, in which a mountain lion can be identified and MassWildlife can confirm the location; DNA evidence from hair, scat, etc. The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Unconfirmed sightings of mountain lions and panthers do persist in Maryland, according to the state Department of Natural Resources website. Our wildlife research team decided to help take the mystery out of the sighting by going to the location and comparing the size of the animal to stationary objects in the frame as well as a human subject. Huge tracks. Mrs. Muhl isn't alone. The coloring was that of a deer but it was too strangely shaped to be a deer conclusion definitely a mountain lion.