Ga DNR had denied their existence here until they couldn't deny their existence(the recent hunter killing one and UGA dna testing it) here. I have personally had 2 sightings in places 50 miles from each other. There's no mistaking one of these for something else.

They have been scientifically documented in New Brunswick and the Gaspe pennisula of lower Quebec, but Ive never seen anything but lynx and bobcats.

I seen one three days ago! Here in Montana there is no shortage of these critters.

i have heard and read many claims here in NJ though i'm skeptical, at least in my southern area. I do believe the many reports around camp, in north-central PA, as some of my campmates have seen them.

BioGuy,
The GA cat recently was DNA confirmed as part of the FL population.

As for what I saw, no it was not a housecat. The first person I went to was a wildlife biologist buddy of mine and he grilled me pretty hard on what I "thought" I saw.

Later on this person (who I would consider to be authoritatively in-the-know) told me that it was believed by some that the FL population must have expanded some into GA but he couldn't say why DNR didn't or wouldn't acknowledge their existence.

found a site www.weau.com/home/headlines/41196187.html

it was last march

I have seen two over the years, one in Va., one in WV. A bear hunter friend of mine in WV told me he found a 6 pt. buck 20' up in a big white oak and was "pretty sure he didn't jump up there". Like Mulder on the old X-Files, I believe.

They (DNR) used to deny their existance here in Michigan, but there have been too many sightings and car accidents to be released pets as they used to claim.

I live and grew up in rural SC. We have heard many stories of big cats or long tailed cats over the years.
My mother claims to have seen one while working in the farm fields some 60 yrs ago. I myself have never seen one but with all the dense woods of the south, I would not doubt that they are around.

One was treed by hounds and photograped in Northwest WI Cant remember when it was I know in the last year. There been quite a few sightings, tracks and so forth. One was sighted about 5 miles from where I grew up, know the guy and not the type to make it up. Cant wait to see one myself.

Sorry, an afterthought, for more info on lions on the east coast,
check out http://www.easternpumaresearch.com/

here in virginia about 3 years ago they released 2 mountain lions. 1 had 3 cubs the other had 5-6 they released them a half mile from where i hunt on a powerline but i have yet to see one i know the 2 adults had tracking collars on.

There has been official sighting and photos here in WI.

Michigan - yep, though they still haven't shown them to be naturally reproducing. Noticed that cougars are on our DNR's list of protected wildlife.

Gman3186,

Did you hear from a biologist that VA reintroduced moutains lions in va, or was this throgh the grapevine.

It is my understanding that VA has not recently released mountain lions in VA. While there are sightings every year, there has been no evidence other tthan sightings to prove they exist in VA.

Bioguy- Maine is starting to get Lynx now. The first that I have record of is about seven years ago(verified sighting)and then again about 2 years ago one was run over in my county and the warden service determined that is was in deed a lynx. Good to have them here but they are certainly not cougars.

I saw the same one twice in Ohio. No doubt an escaped pet.

I know they are here in Michigan. I have seen 3 and the DNR finally admitted their presence. I don't know for sure if they are down state but they are in the U.P.

One was treed by hounds and photograph not to long ago in northwest WI. There have been alot of sightings and tracks. One was sighted about 5 miles from where I hunt. Know the guy and he has no reason to make up. Cant wait to see one for myself!!! So WI is in your count. If I can find the site I'll try to get on here.

Ive seen a few here in CA

i have a cousin that has pictures on a cat in NC it is a pretty big cat.

farmers not framers sorry

I know for a fact that in PA there is. I live here and every so often there is another sighter not alot but some.

They are here in small numbers in MN. There were a bunch of sightings and photos taken of one in a S.W. suburb of Minneapolis a few years back. In northern MN they're seen now and a again with pics taken as proof.

In West Central WI there were a lot of sightings of probably the same cat last year.

Regarding introduction, the rumor mill many years ago was that WV had introduced them to control the deer herd. I asked the local conservation officer if it was true. He asked me if I had heard anything thru the media, which I had not. He said that there was both a state and a federal statue in place that before a government entity can release a large predator into a populated area, the public has to be notified. In thinking about it later tho, he did NOT clarify what constitutes a populated area. Are we talking about NY, LA, or our little rural mountain communities? He neatly sidestepped my question and never answered me then, did he? In later years, I have asked local DNR staff the same question and never get a straight answer. I personally think they have been introduced in small increments and DNR does not want the populace to get in an uproar about it. If we don't have any, why are they in the WV game laws as fully protected? We don't have alligators either, but they aren't in the game laws.

seymour missouri...saw one getting after someones chickens where i deer hunt.cut a fresh track after a snow storm and the other night mi neighbor saw one cross the road....and saw 1 while walking

We have 'em in Pa. But those stubborn Game Wardens refuse to believe it...

BioGuy---

What about WI? Where the cat was photograph by Wisconsin DNR. Nope, no cats in WI, yeah right!! What about the wolves in WI? Nope your figures are right, only 300 some wovles in WI. How you explain that 11 dogs were killed by wolves before the kill season ever started. Nope we don't listen to the hunters or loggers who are out there more, we get paid and know what we are doing!!! Swallow your pride and admit you could be wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!

STATE OF IOWA...Yep there here!!!!!! We had one shot on 12-14-09 as everyone has probably heard. I've had reports submitted that report females with their kits and horses with claw marks on their back (these have not yet been confirmed).

I got tired of being told that I saw a BIG house cat or dog on our farm. I've now started a website to provide information, discussion and to start tracking sightings here in the Heartland. If we do find a sighting pattern exists we would then like to do a transect to look for evidence and to place trail camera's to prove their presence. We can be located at:

www.HeartlandCougarWatch.wetpaint.com
www.facebook.com group: Heartland Cougar Watch Society
or e-mail: heartland.cougarwatch@hotmail.com

there are a lot of mountain lions in my state. I live in california and there have been some attacks to joggers in the past years.

there are a lot of mountain lions in my state. I live in california and there have been some attacks to joggers in the past years.

I saw for the first time in my 20+ years in the woods a mountain lion in the lower finger lakes region of New York. It was around 80 - 100 pounds and at a distance of 40yrds. Never thought i would see one here.

I know for a fact there are at least two in Carrollton,Ga. Not only have we heard the blood curdling screeches of the mating pair, but we had the chance to see one of them in our back yard. Of course the DNR tried to tell me that it was a bobcat. NO WAY! Bobcats don't get that big and don't have that long tail. I took pictures of footprints when it snowed. They told me to try and find a cache or put up a trail cam. No. 1, who can afford a trail cam, and No.2, just my luck I would find the cache and then the mountain lion around my neck. As long as they stay in the woods we are fine.