i read article on cougar expert that stated the males are looking for new territory,i think he was utah.
he spoke about the cougar that was killed by police officer on chicago suburbs streets at 1pm.
he said that cougar cut its foot in barn out in montana , i could be wrong on state.
he took blood sample then and had DNA.
then 9 months later in chicago cougar was shot. the feds took blood sample and he checked it and it was cougar from barn.
cougar went well over 1,000 miles in 9 months.

this also is what i feel is happening, cougars are moving around.maybe cougar seen in your area, endsup dead in another state and never returns or decides to stay somewhere else.

dont know but i feel that is good guess at what is happening.......take care sproul