MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITIONMONTCALM County Sightings

1885	Cougar treed near Stanton as reported by U of M zoologist Norman Wood
06/05	Observed by Art S. of Chesaning
09/09/05	Johnson Road near Johnson/Dickerson Lake Road
10/05	Observed by Keith E. of Sheridan
05/06	Almost hit one just north of Edmore
07/06/06	E of US 131, N of Howard City, 2 dogs attacked, Vet verified by large cat
07/08	Traveling East on State Highway 46 just before Six Lakes at 9:00 a.m. - cougar crossed in front of vehicle. All 6 people in car agree it was a cougar.
10/07/09	Observed at 7:45 p.m. from about 80 yards. Animal was stretched out on a tree and was deer sized. Cedar Island swamp area just north of Ionia County	BLACK
2009	John W sees a large cougar stalk a large doe
09/28/10	Neail and Linda M have a small cougar with a long, slender tail bound in front of their car around 8:00 p.m. on Kickland Road, a little more than 1 mile west of Crystal Road, south of Crystal
Unknown	John W says he has seen a silver cat three times once a year usually around Spring during the early turkey hunt

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