ORIGINAL: vanillathunder
Me personally I think these sightings are Lynx but I am not going to say Cougars definitly aren't around b/c I don't know that, a conservationist with a 4 yr degree doesn't makethem 100% either.
The reason I think there Lynx is b/c we know there around here. This is from the DEC Site
"Between 1989 and 1992, the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University (CESF) conducted an experimental program of lynx releases in Northern New York. Over 80 lynx were caught in northwestern Canada and released in the Adirondacks. All of the lynx were radiocollared at the time of release, and the radios provided information of survival and dispersal of these animals."
"Some of the released lynx dispersed farther than anyone expected. Lynx from the CESF release showed up in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and other parts of New York. One lynx was found a straight line distance of 485 miles from the release site, 8 months later and 2 pounds heavier than at the time of release."
ALSO
"In many instances it is a case of mistaken identity. Other cats, fishers or dogs are the animals probably seen. Once in a great while a real cougar is sighted. Based on our experiences, it is safe to assume that these animals have been intentionally or unintentionally released by people."
that is first i heard of FORESTRY releasing wild animals CATS as you say..
i believe it.
most people dont disagree cats were released,we do disagree with PGC that they are PETS .
this will continue until the PGC does not say they DONT EXIST..
this could all stop if PGC would not say that you did not see LYNX, COUGAR, LION ,maybe all same..
now, as said, telling truth will hurt our hunting, well, its hurt already..
look at lying on the deer situation here in pa.
PGC says, lots of deer, hunters find few.dcnr says deer all over,too many ,they need killed off.
folks, it will not be COUGAR sighting that hurt our future hunting,it will be HUNTERS themselves that are killing off what game is left..
now you know what happened to indians,they tried to stop it and see where it got them..
MAJOR CUSTER is alive and well at the PGC..