Confirmed Cougar Sighting in Southern Illinois

Lanse couche couche · 03-12-2008, 10:28 AM

Not really. But this past weekend I was in Richland County and ran into one of my cousins. He said that someone told him that someone else had seen a huge cat print in the big creek bottom about a mile from my parents place. How's that for a story[:'(]

sjsfire · 03-12-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Lanse couche couche

Not really. But this past weekend I was in Richland County and ran into one of my cousins. He said that someone told him that someone else had seen a huge cat print in the big creek bottom about a mile from my parents place. How's that for a story[:'(]

If nothing else I always have my cell phone which has the capability of taking pictures. I'd like to see a picture of these claimed tracks people talk about. Not that I havea reason not to believe your cousin's friend's friend. I'd love to find a track like that. Lay something like a pocket knife beside it for size comparison and take pictures.

sjsfire · 03-12-2008, 11:55 AM

Just did a quick search, I though a cougar had already been found in Richland County awhile back. It was Randolph County in 2000 hit by a train. Most recent documented was 2004 in Mercer County and dead cougar was found with a arrow in it.

Lanse couche couche · 03-12-2008, 12:01 PM

I don't know if it was a track in the snow or in the mud. I don't put much stock into it. However, since there have been a couple of confirmed cougar sightings in Illinois, it does kind of make you wonder. Also, there have been a number of bobcat sightings in that area in recent years, so maybe the guy saw a really big bobcat print. That area is about the equivalent of 2 or 3 square miles of continuous creek bottom and brush,with other large wooded spots in the general area. Sothat would be a good area if there was something new hiding out.

yodeldog3 · 03-12-2008, 06:30 PM

I belive there is big cat in Illinois. I personally have seen one near Savanna Il. A couple tears back, fishin on the ol mis. It was running up the bank, looked like a deer hind quarter it had. Real thick woods around there, and not alot of foot traffic.

Lanse couche couche · 03-13-2008, 06:28 AM

I used to live not far upriver from where they found the dead cougar in Mercer County. Not a big surprise there, since it is in some pretty wild river bottom country and is right across the river from Iowa where sightings are now pretty common. Seeing one on the southeast side of the state would be an even bigger surprise.

125py · 03-13-2008, 06:30 AM

man...i would think with all of these hundreds of sightings that i would have seen one by now

[&:]

Kid · 03-13-2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Lanse couche couche

He said that someone told him that someone else had seen a huge cat print in the big creek bottom about a mile from my parents place. How's that for a story[:'(]

Probably a Bigfoot track!

Lanse couche couche · 03-14-2008, 06:46 AM

Funny, but since i posted this story on another site, people are coming out of the woodwork with stories about tracks and sightings in that part of the country going back 20 years. There was even the usual "black panther" story as well. Both silly and interesting.

salby24 · 03-14-2008, 07:06 AM

You would think with all of the hunters have trail cameras out someone would have a picture of one. Not saying that I do not believe anyone on there sightings but pictures are worth millions.