MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
MECOSTA County Sightings



2003East of 131, Big Rapids Exit
06/14/03City of Fountain - Larsen and Fountain Road area
07/03Observed by Janice D. of Mecosta
11/13/04Haymarsh State game area NE of Big Rapids about 5 miles
12/30/0480th Avenue, E end of Jehnsen Lake
06/25/05S of Big Rapids, 131 South NE of Muskegon River
07/30/05Saulbe Road close to Thunder Lake Road
10/10/05Driveway/Pasture
10/16/053 3/4 miles N and 1 mile E of Remus, Sheridan Township
Summer, 20061/2 Mile east of Barryton in a wooded area along a river. Observed from across the river about 150 yards away
08/19/06 Barryton
09/04/06US 131 S of Big Rapids near Muskegon exit just S of rest areaROADKILL
Late 10/06Haymarket State Game Area SW of Burgess Lake (southwest part) east of Big Rapids; Jim B. had an eye-to-eye with a cougar from his tree stand; he filmed it with a camera from his bow (film coming later), and called the DNR from his tree stand to report the sighting
07/13/07Hayes Road near 120th Avenue just west of Round Lake; Crossed road in front of pedestrians and dog; observed a second time on the return walk and cat was now in a field about 22' from the road
09/02/07Grass Lake Road, Big Rapids area - observer alerted by squirrel noises and racing into trees. Looked up to observe cougar walking about 100 yards away and walking into a field. Collected three scat piles about 1/4 mile from sighting and delivered to Paris DNR Office
09/13/07Along M66 about a mile south of Remus going from west to east - crossed in a wooded area with a small lake and wet land


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