We have had cougars in Michigan for some time now. The stupid DNR would not admitt to their existance yet they still made them illegal to shoot in the game book. It took a few years of spottings before they have even started to admitt they are around. I know a few people who have seen them and I myself have seen one once in Central Michigan (Remus area to be exact).

If the locals are saying they have seen them, they probably have.