I've seen about 20 mountain lions, or pumas, in the field, but all but 2 were in Chile. Despite reported sightings throughout the East, including Pennsylvania, and a confirmed mountain lion killed in Connecticut in 2011, there has been no evidence that any of those cats were native . ? They include a reported attack on horses at a farm near Dillsburg, York County, that Foster thinks may be legitimate.
Bigfoot, mountain lions and other cryptids in PA Bobcats tend to be darker brown, with lighter belly fur and spots while mountain lions tend to be more uniform brown, tawny color. After all, skeptics often suggest that puma sightings are just deer sightings, so it would be logical to worry that a hunter might shoot an endangered puma, mistaking it for a brown deer. Are they all the product of the off-spring of pumas that escaped their owners or were released? If we continue to be bombarded with manipulated photos and untrue claims in most cases by people who just want to get attention then we may be very resistant to accepting the "real McCoy" if or when) one finally arrives.
Pocono Mountains: Best Things To See And Do - TravelAwaits Have all of those who have seen a puma really seen a bobcat? In personal contacts, that monthly average might even be higher. If so, what would happen to the hunting industry in all of these states? In the wild, adult mountain lions can weigh anywhere from 65 to 220 pounds. There is a big community of mountain lion enthusiasts across the Northeast convinced that the animals still exist in breeding populations. Let me know if you have seen one! If it were, it would be listed. (570) 325-3229. It has the color of a mountain lion, but the long tail appears to be missing. Are the various States guilty of essentially the same thing? There's a saying that "things aren't always what they appear to be." 1.8 miles, 2 hours, moderate. On some investigations, Foster has teamed up with Stacey Griffiths, who started the Central PA Mountain Lion Sightings page earlier this year. In only one report had an official from the Pennsylvania Game Commision, a local warden, actually agree with the person reporting the sighting. There are approximately 4,000 of those 10- to 40-pound cats in the state. I believe them. Local outlets carried reports of cougar encounters at least into the 1910s. And a bit of an unpleasant one at that, as they now faced ridicule or doubt whenever they discussed their sightings. And again, while they may have been mistaken, they certainly were completely convinced that they had seen a puma. Imagination? Many of those claiming to have encountered a cougar in Pennsylvania take that non-confirmation by the commission as an attack on their veracity and character. The state of Arizona is home to a large, stable population of mountain lions. That solution: Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up. For our list, we only included US states with a stable breeding population. Those special two were across a river just outside Glacier National Park in Montana, and consisted of a mother and two cubs (Mary saw both cubs, I only saw one, and we did so separately, as we were driving two vehicles). However, it is clearly a mountain lion, and I'm presenting this poor image as a baseline reference for anyone recording a mountain lion on a game camera, or seeing one. The first is the mating season which can occur during the late to early spring months. While there have been no confirmed occurrences of mountain lions in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s, dozens of sincere reports of sightings and tracks and even more hoaxed reports emerge across the state each year. Mountain lions live almost everywhere in the state of Washington. On that, I've had emails sent with game trail photo attachments, or killed pumas, supposedly shot in Pennsylvania, but these were hoaxes. Mountain lions are well-established in 14 western states and have also recently been confirmed in 10 Midwestern states: Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. In August, Amy Walters said her 12-year-old son was spooked by a mountain lion in Forest County in northwest Pennsylvania while riding his dirt bike. Interesting, too, are the reports I've heard from people who were told that they would be in big trouble if they shot a puma. The bones were found perfectly preserved. Who knows? And yet today the debate continues: Are there mountain lions in Pennsylvania? In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. Among other uses, the tax was levied "for destroying wolves, foxes, heads and crows." Bo Ottman is a landscaper in Connecticut who founded an . So what? As they get older, the cubs begin to leave the den and explore. More about mountain lions in Pennsylvania: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. PHILADELPHIA (AP) An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. Mountain lions, which continue to be reported across Pennsylvania throughout the year, are officially extinct east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, according to the U.S. The story behind our new web site. Me? I wanted to know if they're here, so I called some people I trust and asked them one simple question: Are there mountain lions in Pennsylvania? In his 1973 book "Faces in Clay" Leslie lays open the archaeological treasures of stone arrow or spear points and tools lost long ago by a succession of native peoples. You know, the Penn State Nittany Lions.". Periodically, via Google searches, I receive reports from people who believe they had seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania, or in other mid-Atlantic states. Are they all the product of the off-spring of pumas that escaped their owners or were released? Two weeks ago, a friend of mine who teaches in one of the Monroe County school districts called to tell me he was sending me a photo of a mountain lion taken by one of his students in the Poconos. "They're getting a lot of that out west. One sighting I give complete belief in was from a friend who told me a puma crossed right in front of their vehicle, and paused on the berm for a few seconds, at a distant of ten yards or less. One of the three branches or clans of the Lenape Tribe at the end of the 17th century was known as the Wolf (Minsi). Granted, the image is not great, and I used some Photoshop adjustment layers to enhance the image, making it a bit easier to see. The Pocono Mountains are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Ramapough Lenape chief: National park in PA and NJ would be among 'most destructive things' since colonization, Bigfoot, mountain lions, and other mythical creatures: PA officials discuss what they know, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Are there Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania?
DNR: Fish & Wildlife: Mountain Lion Travis Lau, a spokesperson for the Game Commission, said the state has a "never say never" approach when it comes to mountain lions and acknowledges that Western cats could be moving east. This is actually a good thing, as genetic isolation generally weakens a species. No one needs to panic.". However, recently I saw a photo of a melanistic bobcat, as black as could be, with bright yellow eyes. She feeds and cares for them with donations and grants. He notes how over the millennia, the region was inhabited by humans, only to be depopulated by migration brought on by the search of food due to a fickle climate, war or epidemic. One man sent me a game camera photo that was blurry but looked like a mountain lion, or puma, as I like to call them. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. I've know of reports since 1973, in Cooke Forest, the heart of a lot of Pa. wilderness. I asked our Game officials about evidence, and they cite no road kills. They ponder rare fossil evidence unearthed and seek to make sense of stratified geology, both fleeting in the face of what we call progress. 2023 www.poconorecord.com. (What is meant by "heads" is not clear.). Have some feedback for us?
Mountain lion sightings could indicate its comeback to Pa. Mountain Lions do remain in the western states and there is evidence that in 2011, a mountain lion migrated about 1,500 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut where it was killed by a. I receive about one email or phone call a month, on average, from people that I do not know who are contacting me because their sighting compelled them to do a Google search on puma sightings, and they found my site and previously posted questions. He knows and was familiar with bobcats, and it was not a weird house cat that he and his friends misjudged in size. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. Other states have had sightings, especially as mountain lion populations begin to explore and look to expand. "Hunters are always saying they see mountain lions, and the Game Commission always says there aren't any," said Robert Hale, owner of Buffalo Gap Outfitters in Dillsburg. Fish and Wildlife Service. That may be true, or was once true, but even a declawed puma, if it can survive off rabbits and squirrels, and breeds, its offspring would be fully equipted to survive. If we say it ain't so, it ain't so! Others would like to see some scientific proof. I Googled "Pocono mountain lion" and there it was the same photo, except the caption claimed that it was taken in Oklahoma, not Pennsylvania, and various posted comments asserted that the photo was manipulated. This is not a Pennsylvania puma! DCNR gave the following as examples: the saber-tooth cat; a small, three-toed horse; the Pleistocene beaver, and the mastodon. Both sheep and young cattle fell prey to wolves, unless they were under constant watch. Caribou meat apparently was part of their diet. Of course, the writer's comments were hearsay, but it does make sense. However, if you've seen a mountain lion, or other mystery creature, or evidence of either, in Pennsylvania, contact outdoor writer Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com.). And, some may be escaped or illegally released pets. See also: . State Game Officials do concede that some people may indeed have seen a puma, but it was undoubtedly a released captive. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. Wishful thinking? Recently, a man I spoke with told me that he was reminded of a sighting he and two friends had 20 years earlier, and after recalling the incident he was motivated to call his college buddies and reflect on their observation. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. In captivity mountain, lions can live to be about 20 years old. Remember, this one was photographed in Arizona in good puma country, although this was the first one I've recorded there. The Pocono Mountains, commonly referred to as the Poconos / p o k n o z /, are a geographical, geological, and cultural region in Northeastern Pennsylvania.They overlook the Delaware River and Delaware Water Gap to the east, Lake Wallenpaupack to the north, Wyoming Valley and the Coal Region to the west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The photographer had no reason to stage the shot -- indeed, the composition and background was terrible, and not what you'd expect for something staged, but the shot wasn't perfectly clear. Yet, except for Florida, which has about 100 of them "Florida panthers"), no eastern state has a verifiable population of these large 100- to 200-pound cats that were extirpated 100 years ago. Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the Eastern Puma an extinct species, except for the remnant population in Florida. At one time mountain lions, or more properly puma (Puma concolor), enjoyed the widest geographic range of any New World mammal, and were found throughout all of the contiguous United States. They've been extinct in the eastern part of North America for more than a century. My friend was a former hunter and fisherman, and spent a lot of time in the woods, as did I, but neither of us had ever seen a coyote. Adults are a uniform tan or tawny in color, with a white or cream-colored chin, undersides and inner legs. "We should be getting more pictures. The mountain lion population in Nevada is essential to the control of deer and rodent populations in the mountainous regions of the state. I used to archery hunt for deer, and I spent a lot of time (way too much time) sitting silently in a tree stand waiting for deer. These color morphs are most common in rain forests and jungles. It has long been popular with honeymooners, but today the Poconos are a popular destination for families, skiers, adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England, New York City, Philadelphia . But Dave "Gadget" Jones, a retired wildlife conservation officer from Lackawanna County, claims he's seen a white bigfoot and a UFO in Pennsylvania, so who knows? "If there was mountain lions in Pennsylvania), I think we'd be getting reports from farmers and people with pets that there were attacks on their animals," Martinelli said. A typical home range is around 150 square miles for adult males and 50 square miles for adult females in our region. Is there a correct position for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead?
Pocono Record's Micaela Hood moves on to Lehigh Valley Public Media As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. For example, leopards and jaguars, normally spotted cats, have a melanistic color morph, the 'black panther,' the black leopard or black jaguar. Images from a homeowner's surveillance camera show a tan cat with a long body, beyond a chain-link fence. For many who have believed to have seen a cougar in the wilds of the Poconos, these arguments might be less than convincing. The state of Idaho is large, expansive, and full of rocky wilderness. I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one game camera image that still looks very credible to me. I could fill pages recounting the eye-witness reports I've heard, and for every report critics could certainly say 'but there's no physical evidence!' Then there is Rocky. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. Perhaps my Fed Ex driver was simply recalling a rural legend, but he said it was an employee that he knew, and it was a story he heard first-hand. Who knows? The other three images are from my file, selected to most closely approximate the pose of the cat from the game camera. Very, very rarely, when I ask someone who would be a likely candidate (a hunter, someone who owns a camp in the deep woods, travels likely routes often, foresters), 'Have you ever seen a mountain lion?' Confirmed cougar sightings have increased in the Midwest and Great Lakes states in recent years.". There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! This is not a Pennsylvania puma! The rocky habitat that covers much of the state is perfect for these ambush predators, especially since humans dont inhabit much of the land. And this genetic mix has been recognized, and the Florida puma is still protected. Bobcats, feral cats and domestic dogs may be misidentified as mountain lion. Mountain lions roamed all of the continent prior to the arrival and westward spread of European settlers, but only the eastern and Florida subspecies were found east of the Mississippi. People can manipulate, enhance or combine photos and then create their own stories about the subject's origin, location and even identification. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. But more importantly, he also said that regardless of color, he saw a big cat, with a tail that looked to be about 4 feet long! The skeleton was reassembled at the State Museum, where it has been on display ever since. I don't know if a Game Commission authority has actually said this or not, but people I've spoken to have reported this. Let's see a clear photo, or a carcass or something.
The Cougar Network, working with state agencies, have documented multiple mountain lions as far east as Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan in recent years, as well as that cat killed on a highway in Milford, Connecticut, in June 2011.
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Are There Mountain Lions In Pa? - CLJ He also noted that if the cat was here, wouldn't they be reproducing and increasing in population by now? Mountain lions have an interesting life cycle that consists of a few different characteristics. Never has this been more accurate than in today's digital, computerized world. That summer, a team from the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg excavated the nearly complete skeleton of the ancient elephant, the first of its kind found in the Commonwealth. They are there to help us. Encouraged by the bounties, settlers waged war on these perceived beasts. The next day, another friend, who works for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, called me to ask if I had seen the photo of a Pocono mountain lion with a deer in its jaws. With healthy populations and strong conservation programs, however, they seem to be pushing back east. Only when I reviewed the images on my laptop did I discover that I had a mountain lion! These experiences are still available, but the reality is there is so much more for the mature traveler to enjoy in the Pocono Mountains. Still, these resilient animals reside in secluded areas across the United States, with current data suggesting they may even be returning to their historical regions! In 2016, a trail cam photo in South Jersey was later determined to show a house cat. Mountain lions weigh 90-160 pounds, while bobcats weigh 20-30 pounds. RelatedBigfoot, mountain lions, and other mythical creatures: PA officials discuss what they know. If pumas do exist in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, could they all be released cats or escapees? It's sort of like big foot, some people say they've seen him.". Where they always here as a relic population? How do I deal with shaving weight for carrying my gear?
Mt Lions in WV, NY, and PA - Hoot Hollow Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Features Writer Micaela Hood is signing off with the Pocono Record after five years of covering arts, culture, entertainment and sports in northeastern . I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? You've got a mountain lion story or photo? Furthermore, a different set of photos showed a "mountain lion" dragging a deer into the woods in Bradford County. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. More common critters co-existed with early Native Americans in the Poconos, including two species long since removed: the wolf and mountain lion (also known colloquially as panthers and cougars). Interestingly, the US Fish and Wildllife Service has declared the Eastern Puma extinct, except for the Florida population known as the Florida panther. I've seen hoaxes, of pumas carrying deer shot with game cameras, but these were of western cats. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." In January, the U.S. Many have a desire to see some clear-cut evidence. This is huge news for conservationists around the country and a sign that cougars may be heading east once again.
Lions in the Santa Monica Mountains - National Park Service A dark brown puma, backlighted by a strong sun, could appear all black, or very dark, and he accepted that. Murray also has a cross-eyed white tiger named Keisha, who crushed chicken bones with ease but delicately stepped into a metal pool to cool off. Mary saw the photo, too, and she immediately agreed, it was a puma. Mountain lion populations struggle to outpace the high hunting limits. I don't believe someone's imagination could stretch a six inch long tail to three feet! Obviously, other pumas must be about, and the series of ridges extending north and east and west from my location could all be included as critical habitat as well. If we don't see it, it doesn't exist. They once inhabited the entire United States, but were killed off and pushed west. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. Pocono Record sports writer Mike Kuhns wrote a great piece on Oct. 14, "Does the mountain lion roam PA?" Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. If you see a puma (mountain lion-cougar), contact me. Let me explain this. September 21st, 2008, 08:14 PM #74.