map of cougar sightings in illinois 2019
Average Height: 27 to 33 inches at the shoulder. Never run from a cougar. Subscribe to the official Hiking with Shawn Newsletter and get a free gift! This is typical wolf behavior. Of course, back then, we had Black Bear, wolves, and mountain lions. I saw a mountain lion up close and personal in the summer of 63 and a bit farther away the next year. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) confirmed that there have been at least six mountain lions in Illinois between 2002 and 2019. Its believed that the cougars seen in Michigan are escaped or released pets, or transient cougars from breeding populations in North and South Dakota. The State Journal-Register reported cougar sightings north of here in 2012. Thats if you dont count that one time my mother swore she saw one in Manistee County -- a completely unconfirmed sighting late at night but I choose to believe it happened. The IDNR is interested in any information the public can provide about possible wolf sightings in Illinois. Would you include a good list of snakes in the region, and what to do when they find you? They would kill one and another and we would find their corpses. We certainly need to keep a respectful distance. 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URBANA, Ill. - Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. The mountain lion/cougar probably occurred throughout most of the state originally, but nowhere in great numbers. In March 2013, the wolf was found dead near Apple Canyon Lake in Jo Daviess County. On Aug. 17, 2019, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar on Hiawatha National Forest Land in Delta County. Cougars are five to eight feet long and 27 to 31 inches at the shoulder with an average weight ranging from 75 to 160 pounds depending on gender. URBANA, Ill. Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. Also include images of the wider area where the tracks were found, including the tracks as well as features that can be located if the tracks are destroyed. Filming the videos, taking the photos, editing everything and writing this article takes time and its all provided for free. Until very recently there haven't been been any cougars in Tennessee. This is about 10 miles from where a July 19 photo was captured in Marquette County. Here are some recent reports from around the Midwest. Cougars for example might travel a few thousand miles looking for a mate. If the dog is a toy-whatever, the bear might actually start laughing and then eat it. There was an error processing your request. In addition, wolfdog hybrids and many dog breeds can look nearly identical to wolves. Filming the videos, taking the photos, editing everything and writing this article takes time and its all provided for free. In 2019, the Wisconsin DNR verified 12 cougar sightings with trail cameras. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Biologists, however, consider cougar predation on deer and other wildlife in areas without breeding populations to be insignificant. Have you ever watched a house cat sneak up on a mouse or bird or something like that and pounce them? As long as you are indoors and the animal is outdoors. No one in the vehicle was injured in the accident. The ears are rounded, and the back of the ears are solid black to dark gray. Another was killed by a bow hunter in Mercer County in 2004. A lot of people think they are here and that we have a lot of them. Instead of playing dead, slowly but carefully attempt to leave the area after making the bear aware of your presence. If you are in a group, gather everyone together, if possible, and move as a group. Try to punch, kick, scream-whatever you have to do to survive. ILLINOIS A female wolf was killed by a vehicle in La Salle County in December 2013. If you have a laser pointer, maybe shine it away and hope the mountain lion chases it-please video that if you do. Seven sightings were verified in 2019. Bears, Wolves, Cougars. There arent going to be tons of pumas in the Shawnee because its not big enough for them to maintain various territories. I get there when I can and especially in the fall. Am I a bear? If you feel that your person or property is being threatened by gray wolves, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). State biologists periodically confirm cougars wandering Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri; however, confirmed sightings remain rare to nonexistent in other Midwestern states from Ohio to Kansas. A female wolf was killed by a vehicle in Grundy County in February 2015. Keep up the great work and stay safe. You will probably be done after that. From time to time, we have confirmed bear reports in and around the Shawnee National Forest, but these reports are often very rare. Report Feral Swine Sightings. Defiantly use your brain and some common sense when hiking with your pets. A dog in heat will likely attract an animal that we have plentiful amounts of a coyote! It isnt a bad idea to carry a can of bear spray with you when hiking the Shawnee National Forest. The Big Muddy Monster is totally different, the people of Murphysboro will murder you if you attempt to take that away from them and they have a pretty muddy river to get rid of you in. The satellite view will help you to navigate your way through foreign places with more precise image of the location. If you have recently seen a gray wolf in Illinois, please. All four were sub-adult (23-year-old) males. Success! Required fields are marked *. If permitted by the witness, the sighting report and the followup investigation notes are added to the main sightings database (accessible . Basic natural history information and a current list of mountain lion sightings in the state are available on the mountain lion page at Wildlife Illinois. It might watch you and fantasize about eating youbut youll likely be left alone and never even know that a larger version of Garfield was drooling at the mouth when you walked by it tripping over rocks and dancing from walking into spider webs. Officials had been tracking its movements through a GPS collar that was attached last fall by researchers in Nebraska. But even though mountain lions are likely not here in a populous form doesnt mean they dont pass through the area from time to time looking for a mate. Will we see more of these wild predators in the coming years? In addition, video from trail cameras has led to a few other confirmed cougar sightings in the state. Throw rocks, use sticks. There have only been a total of 25 confirmed sightings of these apex predators since 2000: Black bears: 2-3; cougars: 13-14; wolves: 8. If a cougar makes contact with you, always try to fight it off. There is also a season on them as well which I dont agree with. This is about 5 . This is about 72 miles from where the April 24 photo was captured in Delta County (photograph not available). If a horsefly attacks you-scream and run for your life. Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. This content also appears on WBEZ.org as part of our partnership with Chicago Public Media. On August 30, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. Some famous ones include Bruno the Bear, the Waterloo Bear Sighting, and the Rend Lake Bear Sighting. Shawn hikes, backpacks and visits various forested areas in the Shawnee National Forest, local state parks and other areas promoting outdoor recreational activities to obtain video to show to locals and non-locals alike. The male cat has since made it through Iowa and is now traveling . Locally, this level of knowledge is something wildlife experts would like to strive for. Squirrels with Missing Fur. There have been 82 verified sightings since 1994. . To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. In Illinois, domestic dogs, domestic cats and bobcats (Lynx rufus) are the animals most commonly misidentified as mountain lions. Attacks from the animals do happen to humans but they are rare even if the areas where these critters are flourish with them. She formerly held positions at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois Extension, Prairie Rivers Network and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Obviously, managing large carnivores like mountain lions is more complicated than managing other species of wildlife. On May 13, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Dickinson County. Mountain lions are protected and it is unlawful to hunt, kill or harass them unless they pose an imminent threat to a person or property, which is rare. ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, have a tan or tawny coat, with white or cream-colored chin, undersides, and inside of legs. Error! Urbana, Given their relatively low numbers on the Midwests western fringe, cougars likely dont impact deer numbers. You can report the sighting to the DNR and include photos. Dont run. Best of luck to you. Visual identification of wolves can be very difficult. December 23, 2021: On December 23, 2021, cougar tracks were found in southwestern Delta County. If possible, go inside a building or get into a vehicle. This information will help wildlife officials with their inquiry into your report. You might also look into bear bells and sound devices used to scare away bears as a more non-harmful approach to dealing with bear encounters. Do Not Play Dead. Dont climb a tree bears are excellent climbers. I wont give location information though because there is a hunting season for them, and I am completely opposed of bobcat hunting so I cant share that information. This will not only make it difficult for wildlife officials to investigate and safely monitor the animal, but it also increases the risk of harm to the animal. Adults are large sleek cats with small heads. A wolf attacking a human is almost unheard of. You want to look like you are tougher than the bear. But before the communities and farms were there, the area was rich with virgin growth forest. In 2002, a mountain lion was killed by a train in Randolph County. A male wolf was shot during a coyote hunt in Marshall County in 2002. (Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota offer tightly regulated cougar hunts for residents.). Officials are watching another mountain lion reported in western Illinois a few weeks ago. By definition, breeding territories must include at least one female cougar. The chances of you encountering any will be extremely low especially since there isnt a population but it is better to be prepared than to not be prepared at all and that is the purpose of this article. Subscriber Services. Because they are protected, mountain lions may not legally be hunted, killed or harassed unless there is an imminent threat to person or property. I better get the heck out of here! or at least that is what I think they think. Strike it with walking sticks, your knife and so on. They are still scared of us after all! To date, there have been 11 confirmed gray wolves in Illinois since 2002. This means that at one time, most of what we know as the forest was once home sites and farming communities until the 1930s-1940s when it became a National Forest. There has been a lot of alleged cougar sightings in Southern Illinois in the last couple of years. 61801, Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay, Communications and Information Technology, Our Impact in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Our Impact in Community & Economic Development, Our Impact in Illinois Nutrition Education Programs, Our Impact in Integrated Health Disparities, Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported, research from the Illinois Natural History Survey shows, 2023 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. You might not want to bring the pet rabbit on the trail-it might be an easy meal for these big critters. Some bigfoot sightings in the Shawnee occur around Franks Tract near Lusk Creek while others have reported to see Bigfoot and its family enjoying ice cream around Karbers Ridge. For information about Mountain Lions, see this link and for information about Gray Wolves, see this link. The IDNR website also says to respect the cougars space, and do not approach the animal. A mountain lion is not likely to attack a person unless it feels trapped, provoked, or if you appear to be preywhich is why you should not run away from a mountain lion. Confirmed sightings in Illinois in the last 20 years show younger animals from a population in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In addition, the biologists will look to find where the animal came from and its travels across the Midwest. All Rights Reserved. But if the planets align and the encounter happens-just like with bears and lions, try to appear as big as you can. | Contact your local animal control agency with questions regarding wolf/dog hybrids. Like with bears, remain calm even if pooping your pants and try to look big and mean. This is about 30 miles from where the January 26 photo was captured in Delta County. Please include specific location information and send photos or track castings if available. No matter what it is called, its appearance is distinctivea tan coat with a white or cream-colored chin; small, rounded ears, the backs of which are solid black or dark gray; and a thick, tawny tail half as long as its body and tipped with black. The most important thing to do is remain calm. Howdy Sharon! The animal was identified as a male because the scrotum and black hair around the penis sheath opening are visible in two of the photos. Now we do have similar wildlife that does officially occur within the Shawnee Forest Country. Theyre known for their strength, agility and ability to jump. Cougar attacks on humans are extremely rare. Cougar 2021 Confirmed Cougar Sightings January 12, 2021 On January 12, 2021, a security camera captured and tracks were found from a cougar in Southwestern Schoolcraft County. Since 2002, four cougars have been killed in Illinois, including once shot and killed in April 2008 in Chicago, Wildlife Illinois reports. Do not play dead. The dog will probably get hurt or even killed in the process. Kentucky has confirmed only one cougar recently. You can unsubscribe anytime with ease. Will Illinois become home to these animals or are they just passing through? Report Large Carnivore Sightings. www.tn.gov. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. A male wolf was killed by a coyote hunter in Kane County in 2009. Should you see a mountain lion on your property, and you feel that you or your property is being threatened, contact the IDNR to learn about the options available to address potential threats. Size Adult weight: 116-160 pounds (male) and 75-110 pounds (female) Length: 80-95 inches (male) and 72-80 inches (female) Tail length: 28-38 inches and ropelike with a black tip View Google Map for locations near Cougar : Amboy, Yacolt, Ariel, Battle Ground, La Center. Not just bears, but also cougars and wolves. If you have recently seen a cougar in Illinois, you should report the sighting to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. A male wolf was shot in Pike County in 2005. On Sept. 6, 2019, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in Ontonagon County, northeast of Bergland. This is about 14 miles from where the Sept. 18 photo was captured in northern Delta County. No purchase required. How can I talk about black bear, mountain lions and wolves in the Shawnee without mentioning the obvious creature that is more likely to be out there bigfoot. Several large mammals that we are not used to seeing in the Chicago region have been turning up occasionally in recent years. Cougars are five to eight feet long and 27 to 31 inches at the shoulder with an average weight ranging from 75 to 160 pounds depending on gender. "Well need to learn how to live with them during the periods when they move through adopting anti-predator behaviors, such as keeping pets and children indoors or under supervision if near locations where the animals are seen," O'Keefe says. Are All Compostable Bags Acceptable in Curbside Bins? A black bear may attack you if you play dead and by playing dead, you are presenting yourself as a potentially easy meal for the bear. Deer and coyote populations would be controlled if they did come back. Occasionally, a states wildlife department will issue a press release about a credible sighting, or a report of a big cat showing up in a spot where it shouldnt be will make the local TV news. However, in the last several years there have been confirmed sightings of individual mountain lions in the state. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. The climbers of Jackson Falls have nothing on the black bear. We defiantly have coyotes as well and an abundance of them. May 17, 2020: On May 17, 2020, a DNR trail camera captured a photo of a cougar in southcentral Luce County. On May 12, 2021, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southern Luce County while conducting field work. There have been some confirmed sightings in Tennessee. Illinois state police transported the cougar to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a full necropsy and DNA analysis by a wildlife biologist. Black bear is the only bear that will ever likely occur within the Shawnee National Forest and at one time, long before the forest, we had a population of these types of bear. Preparedness. The IDNR experts believe this may be the same cougar, also known as a mountain lion or puma, captured on a trail camera in Whiteside County on Sept. 28, which was confirmed by the IDNR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On November 7, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southwest Baraga County. If you see a mountain lion: Do Not Run. But getting attacked is probably not going to happen in the utmost rare moment that you might encounter a mountain lion in the Shawnee National Forest. Just a note on mountain lions. Once people know they are here, they will often try to seek out the animal. https://www.hikingwithshawn.com/shawnee-national-forest-snakes/, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: Old Stoneface Trail | Hiking With Shawn, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: Horse Creek Trail. The cougar is the largest wildcat in North America, north of Mexico. If possible, go inside a building or get into a vehicle. Shawnee National Forest is a second growth forest. Another was killed by a bow hunter in Mercer County in 2004. Most gray wolves have coats of grizzled gray or brown with lighter fur on the undersides. Illinois Department of Natural Resources photo. On October 31, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Houghton County. In the Americas, only the jaguar of South America, Central America, and Mexico are larger. Let us know what's going on! If you believe you spotted a cougar in Michigan you can use this online form to report the sighting to the DNR. In recent years, numerous cougar sighting reports have been received from various locations in Michigan. When documenting tracks or other signs, be sure to photograph individual tracks as well as groups of tracks. Officials said the increase in the use of trail cameras by the public could contribute to the increased number of cougar reports. And though most people know what a mountain lion looks like, very few people have seen one of these very rare visitors in Illinois. The government doesnt do that, dont make them think I was serious and hate me because of it. A 2007 study in western sections of the Dakotas found deer represented about half of the cougars diets, but those cats apparently killed deer less often than cougars farther west. This is pretty cool. The DNR said a single animal may be included in more than one confirmed report. A male wolf was killed by a coyote hunter in Jo Daviess County in 2008. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. After running into a nearby woods, the young cat seemingly vanished without a trace. Im not trying to tell you what to do here but I do not recommend sharing any reports of these sources of wildlife to social media or the news. SB3049, which took effect January 1, 2015, amended theIllinois Wildlife Codeby adding mountain lions, black bears, and gray wolves to the list of protected species. Illinois does not have sufficient habitat to support stable populations of these large predators. One set of photos even showed a cougar killing a doe in mid-August in Bayfield County, which borders Lake Superior. I call bull. It is no secret that Black Bear and Mountain Lions occasionally come into Illinois. In DeKalb County on Sunday night, a vehicle collision was first reported involving a deer. Thanks Shawn. If a bear hears you, chances are, it will attempt to avoid you. Dead Wildlife on My Property. Photo: Jeanne Drake, courtesy Cougar Network An adult mountain lion. This is about 3 miles from where a December 22 video was captured in Delta County. Two were shot, and a train hit the third. Large dog tracks are also often misidentified as mountain lion tracks, but there are some telltale differences. If a squirrel attacks you, fight for survival! A commission called the EU Platform on the Coexistence Between People and Large Carnivores (pithy title), had its first working session in June 2014, but theyve been organizing the committee for two years so that all the stakeholders (farmers, landowners, conservationists, hunters, and scientists) are represented. They are now listed as an endangered species in Michigan and have been spotted on 76 occasions since 2008. On February 20, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southeastern Schoolcraft County while conducting wolf track surveys. "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. Report Armadillo Sightings. Copyright 2022 WGEM. There are occasional sightings, and there may possibly be the rare traveler that passes through. Bill Ziegler describes these animals as apex predators because they are at the top of the carnivore food chain. Until trail cameras became popular this century, wildlife agencies struggled to confirm cougar sightings without good tracks, scat or hair samples. Today, there are no known breeding populations of these large predators in Illinois, though occasionally individual animals will move through looking for new territory. IDNR will continue to coordinate with NGPC and other agency partners on this animal while it is in Illinois. Dont push your weak friend down and let them get ate while you flee, that isnt very cool. IL It also increases the risk of negative encounters with the animal. Since bear and other big predator wildlife sighting have been on the increase, I think it is important to know what to do if you encounter one. Average Weight: 60 to 130 pounds (adult male); 45 to 80 pounds (adult female) Average Length: 4 to 6 feet (including 15 to 20 inch tail) Wolves are the largest wild canine in Illinois. You are able to upload photos if you have any. On July 7, 2019, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Gogebic County, northwest of Ironwood. This is about 11 miles from where the Aug. 17 photo was captured in Delta County. Anyone with physical evidence of a cougar (scat, tracks, or carcass) should make sure not to disturb the area and keep that physical evidence in tact.
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