I agree that if it is a "feral" animal, then you have a legitimate choice, although I bet even the most astute cougar biologists would have a hard time identifying which was which (even if it is possible) under real life circumstances.

Does that also mean the Brown Trout and ringnecked pheasant??

I don't think the animals you listed above does to much harm to our other species.. But, The eastern ML does stand out from western ML. It's fur and short stocky body along with its darker face. I been reading alot about them since I read that thread. I believe I can Identify the difference to within 85% positive of what kind it is. Now the chances of seeing any kind of cougar while hunting is very unlikely to happen.Better chance of winning the lottery than spotting a cougar I believe.

I believe you are right when it comes to actually seeing one.. Although you could still possibly see one when not looking for one. I know i wouldn't rule it out entirely. They tell us up here that they do not exist as well, saying they were all shot off. Maine at that time still had alot of woods as well as alot of other states did. It would be hard to believe they could of shot all of them at least up here. I can also remember seeing a cat track about the size of a base from acoffee cup when rabbit hunting when I was younger. I never saw that track again before perhaps it was from forest practices we have now? Or it was just moving through but, I also know what I saw then..just a track in the snow...

I have not seen any tracks or a cougar yet.. But I have not any reason to not believe people when they said they have seen one or the tracks. Quite a few I am sure are wild cats(bobcats) But There is no reason that cougars couldn't be here in the east.. I can not think that cougars won't step across certain boundries.. Well we have to turn back. This is the state line, We are not allowed there. That is ignorant to even think that way. Animals that set up and mark their terrotory are going to defend it..The loser is going to have to move on out.

No doubt most of them are, but, growing up here and enjoying what the outdoors has to offer I knew what i was looking at. When growing up I very seldom went ice fishing except when a grandfather would take me. So I spent a lot of time trapping and hunting and learning what track came from what. that was years ago now though but, what I saw my brother also saw.. It walk up over the side of a mountain name " Chapman Mountain " It is like a very large hill more than a mountain though. Never again have I seen a track like that, and trust me I currently have a 35 lb. bobcat waiting to get mounted...

They will have to acknowledge them and say that there arecougars in the north east someday. I am sure it will be soon enough...

if you are hunter, raised in big woods here in pa. like most of us are..
came from long line of hunters, 9 uncles andgrandfathers..

i and others were in woods at age 8,yes and shot my first 12 gauge double barrel at 10..

dad had me out there at least 2 times week all year at camps and learning what a buck track looked like etc...

reason i brought this up, when you hear hunters like us saying we saw a COUGAR,we saw it...
we trapped many bobcats, i could not tell you how many i trapped or saw in 50 years, i bet over 60.....

so, no way COUGAR i saw looked any way close to bobcat....
color alone will drop your jaw....
way it runs..
round head with a go-tee..
LONG TAIL i estimated to be about 3 ft long about 1 and 1/2inch round..

what gets me, no wco see them, no deputys,no PGC see them...
folks, something wrong with that picture!!!!!

Whats wrong with the picture is there is never a picture!

All those generations of "real hunters" you speak of and they have not been able to find any real proof? You would think that if anybody could find proof, it would be this group.

Instead ofusing your vast pool of savvy, wood wise hunters to prove your sightings, you would rather believe in a total conspiracy involving 100's of gov employees to hide evidence?

What's wrong with that picture.

Steve

steve, what is funny, the dcnr people i talk to HAVE seen COUGAR but PGC people never do....

doesnt that sound a little strange?

Good.Now we're talkin'.With posts like that, this things apt to go another 17 pages