MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
LEELANAU County Sightings



1977M-22 to Empire
1990s (Believe 1996)Cougar visited daily during the planting of the Ciccone Vineyard on Hilltop Road
06/942-3 miles out of Cedar, crossing the road at the power line BLACK
06/12/9930 Yards from Highway 22
02/00M-22 and Stormer Road
2001Hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes and William Alderfer of Chicago observed a cougar walk across the trail about 50 yards in front of him and his son. Cat stood in trail for about 1 minute total. Reported to rangers who said they'd put it on file.
02/01Observed by Harry H. of Honor
08/01/01Lake and Northwood, St. Glen Arbor
05/09/021 ½ mils N of Traverse City on M-22
07/12/02Lake Michigan Beach 1/4 mile S of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Scenic OverlookKITTEN
08/02Lake Ann, Traverse
08/27/02M-204, 1.5 miles W of Village of Lake Leelanau
09/20/023 miles S of Lake Leelanau on CR 643
2003Observed by Russ B. of Cedar
04/23/03 N Jacobson Road ½ mile W of M-22, N side of Jacobson Road
05/03Observed by Mark C. of Cedar
06/01/03Lake Street turning left on Norwood about 1/10 mile outside Glen Arbor
06/10/03Near old Schoolhouse, down road in wooded area
06/21/03B/w Leland and Northport on Tr. 22 woods on both sides
09/03Observed by Steve V. of Troy
09/12/03Along the Lake, T29NR11W21
09/28/03Black Arrow/Old Indian Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes
10/03Observed by Phillip P. of Traverse City
10/03Observed by Ann P. of Traverse City
10/17/03Heading due N on Maple City Road near the cemetery
11/03Observed by Nancy S. of Lake Leelanau
04/11/04S Sullivan and CR/Bellanger Road by Cedar Road and Gun Club
08/06/04½ way b/w Traverse City and Cedar on Fouch Road 2 miles E of Timberlee Subdivision ran toward Lake Leelanau
08/19/04Valley Hill Subdivision
08/22/04East Duck Lake Road
09/12/04B/w CR 633 and CR 641 near Bike Trail parking, Carrying food to young, Seen 4-5 times in last 2 weeksPAIR
09/17/04Southbound on M-22 near CR 637
12/04 Observed by Linda M. of Manchester
07/05Observed by Mary S. of Sutton Bay
08/05Observed by Amy D. of Sylvania, Ohio
12/19/04Northport, Mud Lake
02/15/05Sugarloaf Ski area near Townhouse/Townline Roads - Track photos only
05/05TART Trail, Traverse
07/04/05Just N of Sugar Loaf Resort
08/05/05M-22 and West Traverse Lake Road
09/08/05Near Subdivision/Swamp
09/03/05Sand Dunes near Lake Michigan, Port Oneida, Track Photos
12/28/05Sugar Loaf Mountain Resort on a two-track next to driving range PAIR
03/06Townline Center Road, Husband/Wife sight two cougars crossing roadKITTENS
07/04/065 miles N of Leeland on CR 637
08/06Bingham
08/06Halfway between Traverse City and Suttons Bay off M-22; Observed by Patty B; Reports six sightings of cougars in neighborhood backyards - 3 within 2 blocks of each other in the last 4 months
08/10/06½ mile W of M-22
08/22/06NE corner of E Lakeview Hills and E Northern Sites Drive, On the deck staring at housecat through sliding door
10/20/06Glen Arbor by Glen Lake
10/21/06Cedar
UnknownWoolsey Airport
12/23/06Valley Hills and Lakeview Hills Road, 3rd sighting in 4 months and 6th sighting in this area in 2 years
08/10/07Centerville Township, Lavassar Seasonal Road off 643; Husky dog chased cougar
02/08About 5 miles south of Leland on M-22. Observed along side of road
05/19/08675 and S Fisher Road near Crystal River Dam. Stared at cougar in the woods for about 20 seconds and cougar was holding his ground so observer slowly backed away and then he ran back to his car
08/06/08Observed clearly in front yard
09/11/08Cougar crossed in front of car at 75' on M-72 approximately 2 miles east of Empire
10/29/08Observed cougar at 200 yards from treestand north of Rangers Booth at D.H. Day Camp grounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes
09/07/09Cougar PHOTOGRAPHED on the South Shore of Glen Lake adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. For full information go to Michigan Wildlife Conservancy at: MWC
UnknownM-22 near entrance to Peterson Beach Road. Tail almost as long as the body


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