First off, I've never believed that the DEC has ever stocked or released coyotes or cougars in NY State. That being said, I just read in today's Olean Times Herald for people to be careful in the village of Portville because of common coyote sitings. A quote from a police chief or Officer stated that the coyotes were released in 1983 to rid the area of diseased rabbits. If that is true, could cougars also have been released? I don't have a link to the story yet because it isn't online yet. Just take my word that that is what was said.

Now some truth slips out

The fact that the quote is from a police chief lends no more credence to the statement than if anyone else made the statement.

If you are truely interested in the answer you have the chiefs name...get his number, call him, and ask him to provide some evidence.

Either the state stocked coyotes and he can prove it, or he can't.

I don't see his statement as supportive of the theory that NY has stocked Cougars and is denyingit.

Cattny, I know youre "only the messenger" here, so we or at least I wont shoot the messenger, but the quote you were given, or read, isjust not accurate. I do recalla tulemaria scare back then. But we already had coyotes. Its funny how this stuff gets started. I recall when people first started seeing bears move northward from your area. Guys would be debating whether it really was a bear, while you guys down there where saying "whats the big deal? Weve had em for years!"

CatNY, thanks, I needed a laugh. Did they release cougars to cut down on the released coyotes too? Talk about gullible.

now, this is just a rumor, but i heard they are releasing tattooed kodiak bears to control the cougar population.

just a rumor, mind you!

Moose, I read it on the internet so it must be true!

Dam guys he never said who let them out. Are any of you guys married to or related to a dec officer, or are a dec officer? You guys seem to be butt kissing them everytime a new thread starts about dec doing something wrong.

Tried to read the article on-line but it's not on their site.

Whats puzzling to me is how if this story the chief is telling about planted yotes is true was kept secret since 1983.Is he the only one in town that knew and now is blowing the whistle.Sounds like CIA stuff to me.