I find it hard to believe that there are absolutely no cats here in PA. I've traveled through the "wilds" and the mountains are so vast, you can't tell me we know exactly whats inside them.
I am from Beaver County PA and I did spot a cougar a couple of months ago. I thought I was insane but after doing some research, I found that cougar sightings have been happening in my area for years now. I didn't report the sighting because I didn't want the cat to be bothered. But it was a cat. It was about the size of a medium/large dog, taunie colored and had a low, long and swooping tail.
The game commision will pass off a cougar sighting and come back with the answer "There are no breeding populations". When was the last time they checked or did an intense study to see if they have returned to PA? Have the combed the "wilds"? Western cougars are steadily moving east again. If we don't have a breeding population here, we probably will in the near future.