FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

feds are reviewing cougars here in pa.here is [email protected].

sighting are showing up bigtime in the williamsport, montoursville, watsontown area..PGC says they dont exist,residents of lycoming county areseeing cougar..PGC says, they are bobcats..residents said do bobcats have 2 ft tails?last cougar killed in my area was in 1967,potter county ,pa..

PGC is fed up and said to contact the feds on cougars as they said COUGAR DOES NOT EXIST!!

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

You posted an email address - not a link.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Sproulman, you "almost got it right." Except for that little bit of distortion.
Those are not "sightings." Sightings are "proven." They are "claimed to be sightings."

PGC does not say, "they don't exist." PGC says that they know of no breeding population of "wild" mountain lions.

Many of the "sightings" have been proven to be bobcats. In the most recent one that I am aware of in the Williamsport area, some mysterious person walked in all the "cougar" tracks prior to the PGC arriving. Funny ain;t it how when they so show up to investigate --- the tracks have been trampled.
Even so, the WCO did find tracks and verified them to be bobcat. Of course the guy who saw the cougar immediately said they was too small to have come from the cougar he saw. Imagine that, the PGC finds bobcat tracks within 100 yards of the trampled cougar tracks and the guy claims it was a different animal what made them!

In another "claimed sighting" where a picture was published in the newspaper it turned out be be verified as ---a housecat!
Pure geniouses and wildlife experts you're listening to there Sproulman.

Yes, and that one was proven positively to have been a pet.

I talked to a guy on Thursday who claimed to have seen five different cougars in hunting season in one area, one of them was "all black."
This was in the Sproul. Funny thing, about 60 people drove many miles on the forest road where ya could see virtually every slope and side hill because there ain;t no habitat. We did find tracks --- deer, fox, rabbitand squirrel tracks. So sorry -- no cougar tracks.

Maybe they are afraid to go out in fresh snow??????

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

I love the "black"mountain lion sightings.Considering no such animal is known to exist in the wild or in captivity,it's no wonder these alleged sightings aren't taken serious.

The other day I heard that DCNR was indeed stocking some.They're easy to identify because they cropped their tails off.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

i dont want to get off subject..did not i read that MANY DCNR employees reported seeing cougars in pa?

next, i hope you read the articles in paper, 1 person is friend of mine that now lives in mountuorsville,pa...great hunter,he saw cougar and reported it last month..he also wrote article in papertelling PGC to not tell him he did not see a COUGAR..

also women,yes women know what cougar looks like,1 almost hit one with her car in same county, LYCOMING..this was on FRONT PAGE of williamsport gazzette this week..

she stated the COUGAR was close to 150 pds..

another who saw one in his yard, thats one that PGC says was a bobcat, yet,north says tracks were destroyed..

at least the PGC came out and checked tracks, thats more than they have done in last 25 years,their answer is this.. YOU DESCRIBED ACOUGAR ,BUT I DONT BELIEVE THEY EXIST..


now,PGC saysto contact the e-mail i put on here,they dont want involved..
fed gov has been recieving so many calls they are starting this STUDY..

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: NorthPA



PGC does not say, "they don't exist." PGC says that they know of no breeding population of "wild" mountain lions.
NORTH,
i beg to differ with you,the answer the PGC has given many for 25 years i know of is this,YOU DESCRIBED A COUGAR,BUT I DONT BELIEVE THEY EXIST..thats what they said,now they are changing it,oh well.. SPROUL

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Sproul,I don't know what you read but I didn't read anything that stated many DCNR employees are seeing cougars.I know one guy claimed to have seen a mountain lion kill a buck but it was later confirmed to be a bobcat.Being an experienced outdoorsman or hunter doesn't credibility to these sightings because very few peoplePennsylvanians have any experience seeing mountain lions or bobcats.

If all these people have been seeing them recently,there existence should be extremely easy to prove with all the snow we've had this winter.What's up with that?If they truly existed in Pa and people have recently seen them,the evidence would be indisputable.

I don't feel that people are very good at judging the weight of animals,especially one's they've never seen before.Hell,that's obvious from all the 180lb spikes they used to put in the Courier expres.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Still no link that works.

Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

thats all i have, steve..i guess you report your sighting ..you will get a e-mail back from FEDERAL GOV..also PGC is sick of ussportsmen and said to contact the FEDS..it must be REFRESHING tonot have us sportsmen calling them when we think we saw a cougar and it was housecat..

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

This is the only article on it that I have seen, try this link.
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=171356

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Maine Field Office – Ecological Services
1168 Main Street
Old Town, ME 04468
(207) 827-5938 Fax: (207) 827-6099



February 20, 2007
January 29, 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to conduct a 5-year review of the endangered eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar) (http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/E7-1315.html) under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This section requires that a review of each listed species be conducted at least once every five years On
. A 5-year review is a status assessment based on scientific and commercial data that have become available since the species’ original listing or previous 5-year review. The eastern cougar was one of the first species listed under the ESA in 1973, and there has been no review of its status since a recovery plan was completed in 1982.

Our review of the eastern cougar will assess: (a) whether new information suggests that the species’ population is extinct, increasing, declining, or stable; (b) whether existing threats are increasing, the same, or abated; (c) if there are any new threats; and (d) if new information or analysis calls into question any of the conclusions in the original listing determination as to the species’ status.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the eastern cougar presumed extinct in the wild. However, the information obtained in this review will be evaluated to determine if a change in the listing status of the eastern cougar may be warranted based on the five factors described in the ESA:

1) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range;
2) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes;
3) Disease or predation;
4) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
5) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

The eastern cougar is listed as endangered, and the Service presumes that this subspecies is extinct from its range in the East (CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WV). We acknowledge there have been a small number of confirmed records of cougars within these states in recent years and many unconfirmed sightings. Biologists have hypothesized these animals may be released or escaped pets; dispersing animals from breeding populations in the western U.S., Florida, or Canada; remnants of a residual population(s) that have persisted in the East; or a combination of the above.

We request your assistance in this effort by providing any information that you may have on the eastern cougar. Specifically, we request any new information, analyses, or reports from your state or tribe that summarize and interpret cougar sightings; accounts of the historic status of cougar; laws and regulations pertaining to captive cougars in your jurisdiction; estimates of cougars in captivity; information concerning white-tailed deer populations and density; and landscape analyses that may document the potential for cougar habitat. A questionnaire is attached to help focus our information request.

The information submitted should be supported by documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, methods used to gather and analyze the data, and/or copies of any pertinent publications, reports, or letters by knowledgeable sources. We will consider all information we receive; however, raw data that have not been analyzed or summarized may have limited utility in the review process. We request that, if appropriate, you provide a contact name (and phone number or email address) so that we may be able to discuss the information as needed during the review process.

We request that information be submitted by March 30, 2007 to ensure that it contributes to the review. Our Maine Field Office will take the lead in developing the 5-year status review for the eastern cougar. We will coordinate data gathering with Service biologists in Region 3 (Midwest) and 4 (Southeast).

Please send your response to:

Mark McCollough, Ph.D.
Maine Field Office
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1168 Main Street
Old Town, Maine 04468
Phone: 207 827-5938 x12
Email: [email protected]

You may contact me if you have any questions about this information request, the 5-year status review, or information needed by the Service. We greatly appreciate your cooperation. The Service will share information collected during this 5-year status review with the states, tribes, organizations, and individuals who have an interest in the eastern cougar.

Sincerely



Mark McCollough, Ph.D.
Endangered Species Specialist

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

here's the link.....http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ECougar/

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

I understand that the intent may sound good, but, my concern is what happens after documentation is made ? If in fact solid evidence has come forward in any of the states mentioned. What kind of protection will they have? What would the restrictions placed on hunters and trappers in these states be ?

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Sounds like they are asking for the same type of documentation that is always asked for here when someone "reports" a sighting. You know, the same documentation that NO ONE HAS EVER POSTED HERE!! And the same type that is non existent on any "cougars are here" website.

Of course the conspiracists will simply say the government is suppressing the "truth".

Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Sproulman, you take "facts" and add your own misinterpretation to them!

"I" am not the one who discovered that the tracks were walked in. It was in the newspaper and the fellow who reported the sighting claimed he did not know who did it. Even though it was right out his picture window and he had clear sight of the area????

You also make an erroneous claim about DCNR employees sightings. The "one" single claim by a DCNR employee was proven, EVEN TO HIS SATISFACTION--- that it was a bobcat.

I don't give a hoot if it is a woman or a man or a child. A "sighting" is not proof unlessit can be verified. I mentioned before, I have a neighbor who is now 70 years old. He's lived and hunted in these north mountains all of his life. He knows wildlife better than 95% of people and yet "he" mistook an extremely large bobcat to be a cougar.

You constantly point to the PGC as not giving credibility to people or investigating reported sightings. That simply is not a true representation of the facts. They "do" investigate when they have the manpower available "if" the report has some credibility.
Sometimes they do not even have manpower available to check out poaching or other violations right away but you seem to think there is a team of people setting by the phone waiting for someone to report cougar sightings.
You just do not live in the real world Sproulman.

It was the Feds who came up with this study program. I would say it makes sense for them to do it since there are verifed cougars in some states in the eastern half of the country. The PGC can't conduct a study over such a wide area in different states.

The PGC has recovered cougars in the past.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD A LIP TATTOO, A COLLAR, WAS DE-CLAWED, WAS NEUTERED OR IS SOME OTHER WAY WAS VERIFED TO HAVE BEEN A CAPTIVE ANIMAL.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Get your pocket books out!!!! We have been paying for the wolves out of our own pockets to help cover studies that the feds won't do. if stocking programs are done and the populations get out of control, there won't be a thing you can do..... Good luck!!!!!

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Look ther have been PROVEN Mt. Lion in W.Va. ,De,N.Y., & Me. I've personally along with two other friends saw one in N.J. back in 1976 and seen one that had been shot in Me.
I can say I've never seen one in Pa. ,heck I haven't seen one yet on trips to Tx. Wy, Mt or here in Ok.either but I don't have the arrogance to think because I didn't see it they don't exist.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Cougardaville, could you please answer my questions above for us? I am not trying to discourage anything but, rather trying to get to the facts. I know what has happened up here with the Right Whales and lobster fishermen. Also what has happened to this states predator control programs. I also know what is taking place with trappers here, as a result of a chance they may catch a Canadian Lynx or a Bald Eagle in a trap.
Thank You

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

I would really like to se the documentation for the "proof" of the proven in NY of wild ML. I am sure you have it available.

Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

I believe the Delaware sightings were legit, but that was some years ago and they haven't been seen in recent years. Speculation is that they have been killed or died.
Other sightings. like in WV I believe were determined to be released pets, just like the one killed in Potter County 40 years ago.
Elk, there are no stocking programs going on here. It is just the active imagingation of some folks. We've had "ZERO" documentation of "WILD" populations of cougars --- ZIP, NADA, NONE.
But the stories of black helicopters and truckloads of ear-tagged cougars continue, (always seen by a preacher or someone who -- "would never lie), and never a shred of any proof of them is found.
No one ever explained either why, it is a secret program but our conservation agency puts visible "ear tags" in them and the truck drivers park at roadside diners and in the agency's regional office in plain view...........?
It's amazing how hundreds of breeders, trappers, WCO's, truck drivers and all of their friends and families involved in this secret project were drugged and sworn to secrey for all these years.
Hey, we even have some "black" cougars!

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Here in Maine to report anything along this nature is of a big concern! Here when anything like this was to be documented we have to deal with the Feds making rules and restricting what you can and can not do. So people here are very reluctant to make a report of stuff along these lines. As, you have noticed I have asked a few questions that have remained unanswered. Why were they not answered? It does sadden us that a report was made and an Eastern was discovered that when investigated found to have 3 cubs with her. They were not caught so for now we can say they were smuggled in and let go. This will help keep the Feds away for a little while at least. So becarefull of what you wish for.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Steve,

N.Y.S.D.E.C. document 8224.3 report by DEC Officer Ed Reed Nov. 3 1993 in Keene Valley of Adirondacks.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Google search had no results.
Do you have a link.


Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

http://www.easterncougarnet.org/northeast-desc/nydecmemo.htm

document and pictures included:)

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

There is nothing definitive in that report and no physical evidence, ei: tracks, scat, hair or anything to support the OPINION of the investigator.

If it indeed was a WILD ML, why has no other verifiable evidence surfaced since 1993?

Nice try, but it is simply a field report lacking any proof whatsoever.
It does show the DEC does investigate credible reports contrary to what many conspiracists would claim.

Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Thanks Cougardaville, you keep helping out the rational side.
From that link:

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

steve, i swear if someone threw a cougar on you ,you would deny it was cougar and say you tripped!!

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

Sproulman, I would agree that the report of a cougar does seem credible. However, you must realize that every bit of information is circumstantial without actual proof.
I would not be surprised one bit if it were a cougar --as the report says, perhaps a pet.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

No ole sproul - that would be proof. Especially if thrown by a minister or old trapper - we all know they are the most credible.

Until then then, a real photo, scat, hair, carcass, even the missing tracks from this winter would certainly help.


Steve

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

NorthPa......reading this board whenI can, I have trouble determining when you are being sarcastic and when you are being sarcastic! People like to ask questions and askfor the links to further information. No matter how it is delivered you and "others" have a way of shuttingthem down. You like to embarrass people and ridicule every chance you allget. What pleasure do you get out of this?It seems you, BTBowhunter and DougE. have similar opinions. That is fine,every one is entitled to their opinion, but you also seem to think that your opinions are the only right ones! No one is attacking the PGC in this thread, no one is talking about stocking and all the rest of the stories that have been beat to death, but you insist on brining up the same garbage over and over no matter what the thread contentis about. Are you all game officers? Do you work for PGC? The defensiveness is loud and clear!

[/align]I am certain if I were to post a picture of a mountain lion or a track......the first thing you would all say is the picture was taken in Idaho,Washington, Montana whereverand is still no proof. So why ask for pictures or this type of proof? A dead body of a mountain lion, killed by a car, trapped or from a bullet in the state of Pa .would be proof of the mountain only if you were present. Therefore why would any body in their right minds share that information on this site.

[/align]Maybe if you guys would lighten up a bit, some would share information more freely.

[/align]I personally believe all the mountain lions that are seen in the East have been released or escaped. I don't know who has done this, but what matters is you have a large predator that once depended on a human to survive. Then this animal is dumped for what ever reason into the wild to fend for itself. Some make it and do well others are not having it so easy, these are the ones that people are seeing. These cats do not have the totally wild instincts to hide and be secretive, they are looking for a easy meal with no FEAR of humans. That should cause concern and alarm! Any wild animal imprinted on humans is much more dangerous than one that is of the wild. Imprinting is irreversible, so where does it leave this large meat eater that may not have good hunting and survival skills? It leaves them in trouble! They are hungry and showing themselves.

[/align]I think it is a waste of time and money on the FEDS part to be searching the Eastern states for Eastern cougars that we know are extinct. I think this is the cause and effect of the pro cougar people forcing government agencies to do the study. They still have high hopes a decade later that this animal exist. If they don't do the study, more money than the study will be spentwill be spent in lawsuits.

[/align]PGC and DEC along with every other Eastern agent have claimed over and over these are escapes and releases.......My opinion that's what I believe they are also. My simple reasoning is the way this cat acts. Compare the action of these cats to the totally wild ones in the west where they are known and populated.

[/align]The Wild cats out west are the "Ghost cats".The cats here is the East are a product of a western cat, with an Eastern attitude.....not wild!!

[/align]

[/align][/align]Cougardaville

[/align]

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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]

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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?

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.

RE: FEDS PLAN STUDY OF COUGARS
 

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.