MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
GRAND TRAVERSE County Sightings



1993Cougar observed off Supply Road near the Marvin Gardens Subdivision
08/99Bunker Road, Acme
03/02Observed by Lisa K. of Kingsley
03/01/02US 37 1/4 Miles South of Blair Townhall Road
05/25/02½ mile S of Lakeshore Drive, W of US-131
09/12/02Christmas Lake Area
09/25/02Supply Road, 1.5 miles W of US 131
05/22/03Bunker Hill Road at Scenic Hills, Acme Township
06/03Observed by Francis L. of Williamsburg
06/05/03Near Baldwin
07/06/03South on CR 653 S of Grawn
08/03Observed by Margaret D. of Traverse City
10/03/03N of Kingsley, Track Photos
10/27/03½ W of Garfield Road on River Road
12/08/03T26NR13W09, Chasing deer
03/15/04Crossing Fife Lake Road b/w Marsh Road and US 131
05/03/04T28MR1W11
06/04/04T27NR10W29
06/17/04East Duck RoadBLACK
07/31/04VASA Trail - Northern most section on the shortcut leading back to the 11K loop from the 25K loopKITTEN
08/04Observed by John and Susan H. of Interlochen
09/03/04Bunker Hill Road in Jack Frost Forest
09/21/04Williamsburg Road onto Woodcrest Lane, Saw twice
10/17/04On Old Mission Peninsula about 1 mile from city limits
11/01/045 miles E of Sleights Road on River Road
05/18/05Vasa Trail b/w 3K and 4K marker, near Acme Creek, Stalked walkers
05/30/05Suburbs of Traverse City
06/20/08Just south of Blair Townshall Road in Blair Township. Seven riders on horse back observed cougar cross path in front of them
07/05Observed by James and Constance P. of Mattituck, New York
07/06Observed by Ron W. of Traverse City
07/16/05VASA 5K
07/16/05Deepwater Pt Road/Dock Road
07/21/05Cramer Road
09/05/05Rennie Lake
09/10/05Mayfield/Wadworth Road, Track Photos
09/19/05Broomhead/Supply Road, Saw by 4 people
10/30/0529 ½ Road, just S of Baxter Bridge/Manistee River
03/27/061-2 miles W of Turtle Creek Casino on M-72
06/27/06 Near East Bay of Grand Traverse Bay
07/30/06Near Acme Township Park on Yubar Park Road
09/10/07Corner of M-72 and North Broomhead observed in open field catching a bird
01/24/08Observed a black cougar about 100 yards away that then continued on a deer trail into the woods on S. Betsie River RoadBLACK
11/22/08Cougar observed entering south end of retirement facility at Glen Eagle Retirement Village, Sumac Drive, off Silver Lake Road; left prints in snow with stride of 8-12'
Three times in last couple years since 2009Seen cougar on Broomhead in Williamsburg three times in last couple years. Nearly hit with car last winter. Fresh tracks everywhere


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