MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITIONGOGEBIC County Sightings

08/03/91	28 and 41, Marquette
11/16/98	Cougar seen feeding on deer gut pile near Ironwood
04/16/00	Cougar observed chasing rabbit near Wakefield
06/16/00	Cougar observed crossing Fisher Road near Ironwood
09/01	Black River Road between Bessemer and Lake Superior - crossed the road
05/12/02	Sunset Road W of Section 12/E of Lake Road
08/08/02	Taylor Lake Road
08/08/02	About ½ mile N of US-2 on FR 3960, Observer is Vet with Dpt. of Agriculture
07/04	Observed by Jane B. of Charlevoix
07/01/05	M22 just past Dockside Party Store, Ran from Grand Traverse Bay water and M22
09/05	Observed by Dennis G. of Green Way, Wisconsin
09/02/05	US-2 and Anvil
09/02/05	1 mile N of US 2, 1 mile E of Bessemer City
09/30/05	Behind house
08/06	Around Lake Gogebic, Observed by Jan P
2008	Trapper saw cougar near Pomeroy Lake USFS Campground
03/23/08	Just off driveway leading into cabin off Cisco Branch of the Ontonagon River - CR 527. paw prints apprx. 3 1/2" across
08/05/08	Sylvania wilderness area; Crooked Lake near Fisher 2 campsite. Fishermen observe cougar on opposite bank walk leisurely through the trees up a slope
08/09	Pomeroy Lake USFS Campground, SE of Lake Gogebic. Man sitting in his campsite sees a cougar run through covered in mud about 5:30 p.m. Passed at about 20-25 feet at Site 16 near the boat ramp. Camper in Site 4 also saw the cougar and his dog chased the cougar. Cougar was 100+ pounds.

Using information compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, it was determined that approximately 50% of anecdotal reports (as listed below), can be classified as probable or verified. Reports by the public, when carefully screened for reliability, and used in conjunction with other information and evidence, can aid in assessing population status. Thank you to the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Retired DNR Forester Mike Zuidema, and the media for this valuable research information.



DENISE N. MASSEY