I've always wondered what possible reason or motivation anyone could ever have to make a intentionally false claim of a mountain lion sighting in an eastern state. The typical result of such a claim is nothing more than a heavy dose of public ridicule...so who would do it if they didn't honestly believe that they had seen one? Granted, some folks are obviously mistaken...they see a large domestic cat, or a glimpse of a tan dog...or they lack the knowledge to properly identify the sign left behind. But I still believe that the sheer numbers of claims made each year, in many different eastern states suggests that SOME of these sightings are legitimate. Why does it seem in every case, that the state wildlife agencies who investigate are much more intent on quickly downplaying and dismissing the incident than conducting a THOROUGH investigation? Obviously IF they exist in the northeast it is in very small fragmented numbers in isolated pockets, but of greater importance is the sharp increase in sightings reported in recent years. I believe it's only a matter of time. The truth will eventually vindicate those of us who have endured the ridicule.