If there are no Eastern Cougars living in NY I'll be very surprised, because we have them here in NH---seen 'em myself. Last year we had one that no less than 15 people saw and it even took a fawn off of one guys' field while he was watching. The NH F&G responded to the area many times due to the frequent sightings.

Also while shooting a 3D in Townsend MA in February of 2002 we came across a set of pug tracks in the snow---having seen Mountain Lion tracks before out West, we immediately knew what they were. When the club officials were asked they said the State Wildlife Commission had been contacted and they came out for a look two days prior---and confirmed what we already knew---said it was "probably just passing through".

Bottom line is that mountain lions/cougars/pumas are around in most states tho probably scarce in many of the eastern ones---but Wildlife Commissions do not want to cause a panic so say little on the subject. Having personally seen a mother and kit run across our field a few years ago,(1999) and knowing many of the people who witnessed the one last year, I know for certain that 1) these people are credible, and 2) I know what I saw myself. They are here in the Northeast-- I can guarantee you that. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

Got a picture??[8D]

charlie p the only thing that will settle this is a dead on being found or one killed or worse yet a couger kill a person

CharlieP---

I think one or two of the people who saw the one last year here in NH has some pics---I'll try to get ahold of one in the next few days as time permits---I personally do not have one of the female and kit I saw in 1999, no. My sighting was much like most people who see them-- it is a total surprise--- not "choreographed" like funniest home videos or whatever. I honestly don't know too many people that lug a camera around with them all day around these parts ready to snap a shot at a moments' notice! haha... All kidding aside, Cats are very reclusive, so it's tough to get them on camera, especially in areas where the population is sparse. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12

hey charlie P-- who is "the all knowing expert" , you or me?

You guys wanted things backed up---well I do not as yet have pics in hand, but I do have documented confirmation of cougars in the Northeast. Click on the link below. The one of the Quabbin Res in 1997 gives ample proof of cougars in our area---Quabbin Res. is only 13miles from our home as the crow flies(and where we have had sightings both in 1999 and then the ones last year) Hope this helps until I can contact those who have the pics and see if I may borrow one or two. Pinwheel 12

http://www.easterncougarnet.org/4-97.htm

Hey Moose 1915, I'm one of the so called jackasses that believe that the nysdec would put cats out to control the coyote population, without public notice. I guess that if you don't see them they don't exist, right? Ask anybody if they seen a 200 class whitetail deer in NY, just because you don't see them dosen't mean they don't exist? Last time I checked, central NY is a pretty big place, I highly doubt that you have checked everyplace, oh yeah, I forgot, your all seeing and all knowing so you have been everywhere? Just because it is written in the paper or written on the internet dosen't mean it is 100% true, and maybe you can find thousands of articles on the topic that you can show us jackasses, But the bottom line is we only know what they want us to know. I know first hand that they are in NY, seen them ,touched them, released them. So before you run off at the mouth and insult all the people who view this website, get your facts straight, and don't believe everything you read.

A little more detail would go a long way in makeing your statement credible - not saying it isn't, just hard to accept without some verification.
Steve

As for my reply, to my earlier statement about the cougars, I understand that more info would make my comments more solid, and shed light on alot of topics, but I am restricted by certain THINGS. I will tell you this, you would be suprised to find out the animals we don't have here, or so they say. Sorry can't help.

moose what are you that you know for sure they are not here in nys .and lou lou i do blive they are a rag tag band of cougar here as for the dec part in it i dont belive it the put them there out the have just come home so to speak but if they are here the dec knows it ? maybe they dont want a panic. all i can say is if you in a spot and they have been reported a lot keep a camra with ya and get picture proof and the the rest might start to belive they are hear