Cougar near Sandwich, IL? (Chicago, Quincy: home, rent, work)

[jody1970]

We have a right to know what is lurking in the woods wouldn't you think?

[jody1970]

Oh by the way I am only 25 minutes from Sandwich.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by jody1970

I am from Paw Paw Illinois . We took a picture of a cougar in the woods here. We took pictures of the foot prints. We were told that They let it loose to knock down the deer population. We turned the report into the rangers office and asked them if this was a true rumor about knocking out the deer population.They told us they did not have to give us any info. I guess our government does what it wants. Nothing new hu?

I seriously doubt the powers that be would release cougars into populated Illinois to "knock down the deer population." Sounds pretty far fetched.

Post any of your pictures of the animal?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jody1970

I am from Paw Paw Illinois . We took a picture of a cougar in the woods here. We took pictures of the foot prints. We were told that They let it loose to knock down the deer population. We turned the report into the rangers office and asked them if this was a true rumor about knocking out the deer population.They told us they did not have to give us any info. I guess our government does what it wants. Nothing new hu?

The IDNR has stated publicly that this is just another wives tale.

[lanceman8]

There is no Doubt that we have the big cats in parts of IL. and IA. A dead Male was found over a year ago in Mercer county IL. south of the Quad Cities, and turned over to authorities.
IDNR press release FEB 6 2008 "Actual cougar sightings in Illinois are few and far between. The last cougar found in Illinois was in December of 2004 in Mercer County. It was found already dead, apparently shot with an arrow. Another cougar was found dead after it was hit by a train in Randolph County in July of 2000. Prior to 2000, the last verified record of a cougar in Illinois was from Alexander County in 1862."

The above is Fact

Now for the ever present conspiracy theory....(cue suspenseful soundtrack) Reports have leaked out (supposedly from inside the DNR) that the Department of Natural Resources of both states have turned the cats loose to help control the explosive deer population. I have seen very little official information from either the IL. or Ia DNR about the subject.... except a couple press release denials, including the one quoted above.
I tend to believe that the DNR, one of the few well run Govt. agencies, would not engage in such a controversial release in secret.

At any rate most of the outdoorsmen and farmers I know in our area would quietly put down any of these cats they see on their land. Although all of the folks I know practice vigorous conservation and habitat building practices, few are willing to risk human injuries and or deaths from the cats. The presence of these animals is simply too big of threat to people especially kids.

Now before anyone gets too upset.... please keep this in mind.... There have been reports from pretty good sources that a cougar has repeatedly been seen within 1/4 a mile from our local elementary school, which is on the edge of town and unfenced.

[inspect1]

It's a just a matter of time before cougars will be spotted in Illinois and other midwest areas. With all the development in the foothills of the Colorado rockies (like Boulder) their natural habitat is being eliminated. Many are moving east instead of climbing to high elevations west of the foothills. Sightings are not uncommon in far eastern sections of Colorado where 10 years ago the chances would be nil. The cougars will continute to move east and those who can make it across the Mississippi river will then be in the midwest. How long? Who know's but it's perfectly logical.

[CougarIllinois]

Finally, it is time for the deniers at IDNR and the rest of the doubters to admit that Illinois has a viable cougar population and were not a bunch of lunatics mis-identifying a bunch of kitty cats. We also have seen cougars near the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Just google Roscoe Village and Cougar and open your eyes.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by CougarIllinois

Finally, it is time for the deniers at IDNR and the rest of the doubters to admit that Illinois has a viable cougar population and were not a bunch of lunatics mis-identifying a bunch of kitty cats. We also have seen cougars near the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Just google Roscoe Village and Cougar and open your eyes.

Illinois does not have a "viable" cougar population. Cougars are territorial and solitary, they don't move in packs. That Chicago cougar was most likely an anomaly. There simply are not large numbers of the animals east of the Mississippi.

Will more cougars wander east in search of territory? Maybe. Will they establish a permanent presence here? No. The midwest isn't suited for that and never again will be.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by runninfiend

Illinois does not have a "viable" cougar population. Cougars are territorial and solitary, they don't move in packs. That Chicago cougar was most likely an anomaly. There simply are not large numbers of the animals east of the Mississippi.

Will more cougars wander east in search of territory? Maybe. Will they establish a permanent presence here? No. The midwest isn't suited for that and never again will be.

The midwest is more suitable than most places out west. Sure there may be less wide-open spaces, but food here is far more abundant than out west. And yes, theyre moving this way. Theyve been tracked as far away as Montana coming to WI and MN, now IL. Missouri's cougar population is also growing. And what does having a population of them in IL have to do with them moving in packs and being solitary?

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

The midwest is more suitable than most places out west. Sure there may be less wide-open spaces, but food here is far more abundant than out west. And yes, theyre moving this way. Theyve been tracked as far away as Montana coming to WI and MN, now IL. Missouri's cougar population is also growing. And what does having a population of them in IL have to do with them moving in packs and being solitary?

It has everything to do with it. Cougars are large, solitary creatures that require huge territories, hundreds of miles--they're not bobcats or coyotes, smaller animals that can be conspicuous in smaller wooded areas. There may be more food here, but we don't have what cougars most need, huge spaces where they can range and escape human extirpation.

There are not sustained cougar populations in WI, MN, or MO. Sure, the occasional cougar may wander into the midwest as their home grounds are squeezed by a variety of variables, but the midwest is simply far too populous to sustain cougars on a permanent basis. Any cougar that does wander over will meet the fate that met the one that made it into Chicago.