[diamondgirl45]

Ok, so this is my mom's question. She read the other day about the bear problem in a state that borders Michigan....she can't recall which one. But since we are moving to Michigan soon she wants to know if there are many bears or cougars around, and if there have ever been any attacks on humans.

[Michigansnowflake]

There is bear around here, and cougars too. See bear tracks on my property and saw a cougar at my folks in Mesick. Havent heard of any attacks though.....I would worry more about cougars than bear. Bear usually leave when humans come by, cougars have been known to *hunt or stalk* people

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

I used to work for a state park in the northern lower penninsula....bear will usually stay away from humans especially if you make noise and stay big....they are scared of humans-the only time you should really be worried is if they have a cub with them......and cougars in the lower penninsula is a very debated topic-many people claim to have seen them on their property (and i personally might believe someof them), but the DNR does not have physical evidence of one (scat) at least the last time i checked-i think if you are in cougar country-and you know it...as long as you are not hiking alone you should be ok-but I think in the lower penninsula you are very safe-your small animals ifyou live in the country might not be though

[diamondgirl45]

My husband was looking at properties in Troy and saw a coyote in the back yard of a wooded property....better watch my small dogs. Yikes. I am more worried about cougars. When I lived on Vancouver Island we had a serious problem with them. The small island across from us had 34 removed one year. And our neighbors woke up to two cougars sunning themselves on their driveway. There were a couple of cougar attacks near by then too. They are nasty.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by diamondgirl45

My husband was looking at properties in Troy and saw a coyote in the back yard of a wooded property....better watch my small dogs. Yikes. I am more worried about cougars. When I lived on Vancouver Island we had a serious problem with them. The small island across from us had 34 removed one year. And our neighbors woke up to two cougars sunning themselves on their driveway. There were a couple of cougar attacks near by then too. They are nasty.

in troy you will be safe from cougars
and yes if you live on or near a wooded property-don't leave your small dogs outside unattended for long periods of time...

[100%Michigan]

Yes there are bears, coyotes, foxes, wolfes, cougars, deers, ect.... There were even some reports of a few bears in the city.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

Yes there are bears, coyotes, foxes, wolfes, cougars, deers, ect.... There were even some reports of a few bears in the city.

bears in the city are no big deal-they are not there to hunt humans they are there to scavenge for food-esp. in the spring-most bears that venture into a city are young and have just been "let go" by their mother and are trying to find a happy place
Now, about wolves-this is also a debatable topic-they are only known to be in the UP-if any have crossed an ice bridge then it would be only in northern Michigan-you will not find wolves in southern michigan
Coyotes, fox, and deer are harmless (unless you are a small pet)....the only thing is to be wary when driving at dusk or dawn-car/deer collisions are pretty common if you are not watching the sides of the roads....
nothing to be worried about

[100%Michigan]

Originally Posted by mofromcheboygankalamazoo

bears in the city are no big deal-they are not there to hunt humans they are there to scavenge for food-esp. in the spring-most bears that venture into a city are young and have just been "let go" by their mother and are trying to find a happy place
Now, about wolves-this is also a debatable topic-they are only known to be in the UP-if any have crossed an ice bridge then it would be only in northern Michigan-you will not find wolves in southern michigan
Coyotes, fox, and deer are harmless (unless you are a small pet)....the only thing is to be wary when driving at dusk or dawn-car/deer collisions are pretty common if you are not watching the sides of the roads....
nothing to be worried about

Nothing to be worry about, but yes I have seen many wolves in lower Michigan... a few miles out from the Lansing metro.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

Nothing to be worry about, but yes I have seen many wolves in lower Michigan... a few miles out from the Lansing metro.

i'm very suprised....wolves move with their tails up while coyotes move with their tails down maybe you saw coyotes because the last the dnr knew there were no wolves in lower michigan unless someone spots one taht has crossed the ice bridge from the UP to the LP...and usually they cross back over..

DNR - Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

if you honestly have then you should fill out the observation form and send it to the dnr since they are working on recovery efforts since they are an endangered species

[jeeg]

We have all manners of large animals and predators up here. Even have a black bear that lives on the ridge behind our house. Never once had a problem with them. They are far more scared/skittish of you then you are of them.
Your small pets are far more likely to be harmed (or made to disappear) by the two legged creatures around you then any four legged ones.

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

Nothing to be worry about, but yes I have seen many wolves in lower Michigan... a few miles out from the Lansing metro.

Coyotes yes. Wolves no.