MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITIONISABELLA County Sightings

1995	Jim B and wife observe a cougar run across the road between Shepherd and Mt. Pleasant on Old 27
07/02/02	SW of Farwell 3 miles. S end of Deadman Swamp-Woodscam Photos
11/15/03	2 miles W of M-66 on Arthur Road
08/06/04	1/3 mile W of Coldwater Road on Drew Road, Stalking Deer
03/24/06	1/8 mile N of Broadway	PAIR
06/04/06	Crystal Road near Fremont
04/15/08	Denver Township behind house. Owner observes color, long tail after cougar spooked from woods when observer was boiling maple syrup
12/23/08	Observed cougar running at a steady pace about 2 miles west of Mt. Pleasant and then almost 2 miles south of M-20
10/19/09	Rachel V and a friend see cougar alongside road - almost hit it on the corner of Nottawa Road and Blanchard Road in an open field. Long tail, dark face. Observed west of Mt. Pleasant, East of Winn, South of M-20 and North of Fremont Road.

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