I could not get this picture to load here so I did it this way...
This Mountain lion lives in Pa. "Trust me"

http://www.trackincats.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=716[/align]

I am not doubting what you are saying here as it is possible that they are nothing more than releases. One was caught being brought into Me. here a couple years ago that, was being intended for releasing. But, doesn't the eastern look different also? Like the lacking of white markings on the face, the size also being much smaller? I think that also with this state anyhow that with the vast amount of woods and the lack of a hugh population it would be difficult to say the least to have wiped them out completely. So again I am asking if in fact one such animal was found here or there what would the restrictions be on hunting and trapping in these areas or states? I know here that we do not have wolves, but, 2 were killed here. 1 was shot in the western part of the state and 1 was caught by a trapper in the eastern part of the state. But, just like the easterns they do not exist also.

Cougardaville, Yes, much of what I post in this topic is said tongue in cheek or --- with sarcasm. I apologize if you thought “all” of my comments were aimed at you – they were not. I’m sure if you read back over this discussion you will find several posts that imply conspiracies. The things I pointedly mentioned; trailer loads of cougars and such, “have” been alleged or outright claimed to be true.
You are correct, my idea of proof is a responsible agency or wildlife professional stating that; we have determined this particular sighting is credible and that it is a mountain lion. All the “reported sightings” in the world are nothing more than someone saying they saw something.
You say, “No one is attacking the PGC in this thread,” yet you go on to ask, “Are you all game officers? Do you work for PGC? The defensiveness is loud and clear! That may not be an “attack” but it sure shows where your mind is.
Nope, my opinion is not the only one, it is open to change – with sustainable proof.
Refer to the above --- anybody can post a picture, that does not make it valid nor does it make it invalid. It simply is nothing without confirmation.
I didn’t ask for pictures.
Seems we are on exactly the same page. I have been saying that all along and I welcome your acknowledging the same opinion.

Yep,I pretty much have the same opinion.I never stated one time that there was no possibility of a cougar or two roaming around that were released.The question is,who would release them?It's ridiculous to think the PGC or any other state or gov agency would release them.They have much to lose in the form or Pitt-Rob funds if they did so without proper documentaion open to the public.The same applies to coyotes.I've stated in the past that it wouldn't surprise me one bit if some group of eco-lunatics were trying to stock a few from time to time in order to bring a more "natural"balance to ecosyestem.even it that wre the case,it certainly doesn't mean that we would have a large or a breeding population.Mountain lions that were CONFIRMEDto be escaped pets have been captured by the PGC.Still,the reports of mountain lions have been running rampant,even this winter.If there was ever a time to prove their existence,without a shadow of a doubt,this winter was the time to do it.I firmlt belive that the majority of people that claim to have seen them,really do think they saw one.

I have no problem that you're trying to investigate these claims.What I have an issue with isthatyou usually only tell one side of the story.YOU'LL MENTION THAT A MOUNTAIN LION HAS BEEN SIGHTED.However,you then proceed to leave out the details that say how no evidence was shown to definativly say there was a mountain lion.The story around Pittsburgh was a good example.With all the snow,that sighting should have been easy to confirm but you left that out,letting people think that there actually was a mountain lion.You also claim the northeast has a large population.What's a large population?Is three released pets a large population or is 3 thousand?

You said:
The defensiveness is loud and clear! That may not be an “attack” but it sure shows where your mind is.


No your wrong about my mind, just asking if this is a problem with your job? I talk to officers and agents that feel they are being accused and always having to defend themselves. I certainly understand, I would not want to work that way. I have the similar situation at times defending myself. It does get old!! So do we know each other a bit better? Can we take the tongue out of the cheek? Can we not play on words? This is a forums page not a novel or a report card!

Geese.....let's play nice....

Cougardaville

I also noted your pointing to, “Are you all game officers? Do you work for PGC?" Maybe that indicates something different from my interpretation but it seems to imply that if one takes a contrary view to yours, they must be game officers and therefore -- defensive.
Either way, I do not work for any agency and I am not a game officer.

I don't know how familar you are with the PGC and the way they handle reports. From my contact with them it is my opinion that if there is a credible report made in a timely manner, (when officers are available and withing a reasonable period following the sighting), they do respond.
However, it seems the reporting party is seldom satisfied with the findings.

True, this is a forum. I find it odd that you seem to notice my journalistic style or lack of it, in view of all the wild claims made by others.

I need not defend anything. I make no claims to anything that needs defended. I simply note, with some attempt at humor, (sometimes through sarcasm),the ridiculous. I ask pointed questions and I note what i've observed or researched.

In our individual writing style we differ. I preferred to "jest" to make a point. It has been pointed out to you, (I'm paraphrasing here), that you leave folks with the impression that reports are valid, when in fact they have been resolved to not be cougars. I would much prefer that you post, as vividly, those, "not-cougar,"findings.

Okay.......gottcha......I post only what the paper says. I do not add my signature to any of these reports unless I worked on it myself, or I might express an opinion.I have a good reputation of doing things first hand. I don't take too much into consideration that is handed down 4, 5, 6 times. I do a lot of investigating work, filming, tracking and all the rest of the good things that go along with this. The computer is not really where I spend most of my time.

Thanks for the input....
Cougardaville

I realize that I am not from PA, but, may I ask you if ( big if ) in fact a real wild eastern was discovered to exist would this altar the way folks hunt and trap in that state. It would be good if you could give a simple yes or no. As this study you mention does cover the northeast, and I do believe you stated Me as well. I also think that the remote areas that one would be in is out of reach during the winter months as snow has made it hard to reach those remote places. Yes some could snowmobile in there but, would create a trail for coyotes and other pedators to walk on when searching for game. It is discouraged here to leave a marked trail.

I believe we do have MLs in Pa. But I am not sure if they are the Eastern or the Western version. My question is why can not be accepted that MLs migrate?

Do they only travel just far enough to leave one area and set up home as close as they can to their birth place?

Is it possible that some pets was released and have mated with others thats been released and had wild cubs without knowledge of GCs. Why would this be impossible not to believe?

How does anyone that never seen one say for sure they do not excist here? That isvery ignorant thinking. Even the PGC admits they find illegal exotics here every year that are not on record. I can go online right now and purchase coupleMLs for 300$ each and bring them here and release them without the GC knowledge. Now to say there isn't any here in the wild is again ignorant thinking. Have I ever seen any in the wild? No. But I do believe there is a handful of them though in each eastern state. Out west where they are abundant, yet they are seen very little by people.

I can't speak for trappers Phil and I'm not sure what you mean in changing the way we hunt. I don't know why anyone would change anything even if the extinct cat was found to not really be extinct.