Sighting from 2005 remembered- cougar observed
Reported Fri 12/28/2007 11:03 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 04/01/2005
Time: 07:00 pm
County: Monroe
Location Description: Deerfield Hwy. in Petersburg, MI.
Sighting Description:
"I was driving on Deerfield Hwy. in Petersburg, MI in early April of 2005. I spotted a large tan animal walking slowly in somebody's front yard heading for a wood line. As I drove closer I realized it was a very large cat with an impressively long tail. I told my family but they all laugh at me and say I'm crazy, but I know what I saw. The sighting was on Deerfield Hwy. in between Petersburg, MI & Deerfield, MI."

Sighting from 1965 - Large Black Cats Observed
Reported Thu 12/27/2007 7:33 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Approx. 1965
County: Jackson
Location Description: Jackson County near the Grand River between River Junction and Tompkins Center, north of Maple Lane Road.
Sighting Description:
"The year was approximately 1965. The location was near the Grand River in Jackson County between Rives Junction and Tompkins Center, 12 miles northwest of Jackson. My parents owned a 413 acre dairy farm on which my older brother and I saw a Black Panther on two occasions. During my 22 years on the farm we had seen perhaps over 100 times our farm cats in the hay fields and pasture fields hunting for mice. We had also seen hundreds of deer cross our pasture field between the 2 wood lots on either side of the pasture-hay field. We knew then what farm cats and deer looked like in our fields. I was about 18 years old at the time. What my older brother and I saw was a black panther type animal crossing our field. Its body was about as long as a doe deer, shorter legs, jet black in color, and a long tail nearly as long as its body. It was obviously in the cat family. My brother and I estimated at the time that the cat with its tail was about 5 to 6 feet long—from nose to the tip of its tail! We both said, "It is a Black Panther!" as we watched it lope across the well-grazed pasture field-hay field, in the same location that deer regularly crossed the field. We saw it do the same thing on two occasions within a few weeks of each other. I have been an avid hunter since I was 14 years old and now I am 60. A few years ago I harvested a 162 pound tom mountain lion in Montana. I have been a student of wildlife since my early teens. I know the difference, without question, between a domestic cat, a deer of any size, and a mountain lion, and a black panther type cat!"

Read more on Michigan's large black cat sightings

Delta County, Michigan- Possible Cougar caught by trailcam.
Click the photo to see more
Reported Wed 12/19/2007 3:00 PM to www.savethecougar.org
by Michigan Center for Cougar Recognition

St. Joseph County- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 12/7/2007 5:42 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Dec 5 07
Time: 6.39 A.M.
County: ST.Joseph
Location Description: on Lutz rd, by Sauganash Golf Course. Was sitting by roadside.
Sighting Description:
"I was driving to work. i thought i saw a deer , then it dawned on me. deer dont sit down. I slowed down to see,it was a cougar same color as deer , but it was a large cat. was larger than my german shepherd, and he weighs 120 lbs."

Bay County- sightings of large black cougars.
Reported Mon 12/3/2007 4:53 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October - December 2007
Time: n/a
County: Bay
Location Description: Outskirts of the Pinconning City limits. Our house is tucked back into the woods a ways. The woods surrounding us is very thick brush, large pine, and old oak.
Sighting Description:
"My mother and sister have claimed to have seen a very large black panther several times. The first sighting was mid October between 9 and 10 pm. My sister was taking out some trash and said she had seen a very large black animal in the outlying woods across the driveway about 30 yards. She thought it was our neighbor's dog, so she approached the animal. She had gotten within 15 feet of it before realizing it was not a dog. She said that it was sitting like a house cat and as she had approached it stood up and its head was just above her waist. She took off running up to the house and my mother had heard her scream. So she ran to the door to check on my sister and said that she had seen a very large black animal running across the driveway and into the opposite side of the woods where my sister had seen it. Another sighting was early November during the afternoon, about 5:30pm or so, and my sister and nephew had noticed, what they said to be a panther, skulking around the long grass between an adjacent field and the woods. We have purchased a few disposable cameras and are going to leave them placed near windows and doors in the house in an attempt to catch a picture of them the next time that someone in the household sees one."

Grand Traverse - Eastern cougar observed for 30 mins.
Reported Wed 11/28/2007 10:35 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Sept 10.2007
Time: 8:45 AM
County: Grand Traverse County
Location Description: Corner or M-72 and North Broomhead.
Sighting Description:
"The cougar was in an open field walking as if it were stalking prey taking long strides turning its head side to side. Suddenly the cat pounced quickly upon what looked to be a crow as this is what came fluttering up from beneath the cougar. This sight was rather amazing to see so close to home. I frequently look into the field in which I had first caught a glimpse of this cat. His tail and face were slightly darker than the rest of his body. Its tail was extremely long. I watched this creature for approximately one half hour until he disappeared into the thick of the woods."

Alcona County- sightings of large black cougars.
Reported Tue 11/20/2007 5:06 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 05-01-02
Time: 1:00pm
County: Alcona
Location Description: Near Bliss Lake..The area is very remote & is in the middle of the "Huron National Forest"-Just South of M-72 & West of Stout Road.
Sighting Description:
"It was early spring. A Friend & myself decided to shake off some "cabin Fever"& ride the back roads to bliss lake. It was a beautiful day & i was taking my time going down the trails , content with letting my truck just idle & coast along. We approached an area of the two-track trail that gave way from the usual hills & curves , to a Marshy area [rich with streams & artisan wells] Where the trail ran strait & flat for about75 yards.---I noticed an animal standing in the middle of the trail , 50 yards up & said to my friend "Whats That!".--He just stared ahead and replied,"I Dunno".---Thats when the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end!!..You see, my friend has been a lumberjack all his life. Hes seen & heard everything these Michigan woods has to offer..[or so i thought]. My truck was still coasting , with my foot off the gas as we approached the Beast. A Coyote i thought..No to big.--A Dog?..No to long.--As we approached,i realized why it remained frozen in the middle of the road for so long...It was looking the other way!! It could here my truck sure enough,but it thought we were coming from the other direction. Its a _______ Cat!..I yelled.--Yep, my friend said ," A big black cat".--And it was.--Unmistakable--A Perfect Feline body,With a boasting chest,Slender belly,a very long tail & all Black!--A Panther my reeling mind thought. At that moment we were so close that i eased on the brakes, which let out a soft squeaking sound. Instantly the Big Cat turned in our direction & for a moment that ill never forget in time,we stared at each other!--Long enough to see a gold smattering of hair atop its head & running down its neck & back!--That second was all it gave us before it turned & vanished over the berm & into the woods, Like a ghost. I'd come to a full stop & we just sat there Chattering and laughing about what we just witnessed &how nobody would ever believe us.--My friend suggested that we look for tracks. So,we got out of the truck to look & sure enough there they were ,in the soft sand on the side of the trail & on the soft loamy berm. They were pretty big--About the size of my hand. We then noticed that along our cat prints were other prints---that of "Wild Turkeys". 3 or 4 adults & a dozen or so Spring baby's.---Seems that we had unintentionally interrupted the Cats afternoon feeding time. It was then that we heard the unmistakable chattering alarm of a black squirrel,about 20 yards away!--Seems like our Big Cat found another Prey to hunt. We slowly got back into the truck before our big Cat Thought twice about us & rode away to Bliss lake , to try our luck at some Bass Fishing.----I reported this story to the D.N.R. back when it happened. They said they didnt keep track of such things. I've told the story many times & most of the time i get the "what were you smoking" routine. But one day ,a guy says "oh you seen the black one eh?"---Yep , he said That one likes to let itself be seen!!---Last year i saw an article in the "Detroit News" that confirmed the area were i saw my Big Cat , is one of what the article described as " A Black Hole"Where these cats seem to thrive. Thank-you for giving me the chance to tell my tale "ON THE RECORD"----J."
discuss this sighting on our fourms

Alger County- cougar sighted west of Munising.
Reported Mon 11/19/2007 11:07 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/13/2007
Time: 2130
County: Alger
Location Description: M-28, about 17 miles west of Munising
Sighting Description:
"I was driving in the dark on M-28, with about 17 miles until I would reach Munising. It was dark and I had seen a few deer about a half mile earlier so I was watching the sides of the road very keenly. Up ahead, in the glare of my high beams I could see something to my left that was moving along the hill on the side of the road. I slowed down as I initially thought it could be another deer. As I got closer, I could see that it looked nothing like a deer, and I couldn't figure out what it was. It was slunk low to the ground and I could clearly see that it had a very long tail. As I approached it, it stopped moving and I slowed, almost to a stop. I could clearly see, as this animal stood up, that it was big. It almost looked like a female lion to me at first. I honked my horn and it took off running into the woods. It took me another 10 seconds to sort out what I had seen in my mind, as I have never seen a cougar before, but I knew that's what it must have been. I mentioned the sighting at work the next day and told my partner that I had seen what I thought to be a big cat, and he told me about the cougar. Now, a week later, I'd still been thinking about it and decided to look online to help me figure out exactly what it was that I had seen. When I found this website and saw the pictures of the cougars, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that a cougar is what I had seen."

Lake County- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 11/19/2007 12:57 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/16/07
Time: 8AM
County: Lake
Location Description: Lake County in the National Forest.
Sighting Description:
"I saw a long cat with a lower back than a deer and a long curly tail. It was very elusive and moved like a cat. It was coming out of the National Forest onto our private hunting land. "

Gratiot County- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 11/14/2007 8:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/14/07
Time: 9:00 am
County: Gratiot
Location Description: Crossing field into drainage ditch.
Sighting Description:
"While driveing north on US 27 this morning around 9am I observed a large cougar like animal crossing from a field into a drainage ditch area on the east side of the Hwy. Animal was very large,color was similar to that of a deer."

Calhoun County- cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 11/13/2007 7:16 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11.13.07
Time: 5:30 pm
County: Calhoun
Location Description: on the south side of verona road between Battle Creek and Marshall
Sighting Description:
"I was driving and saw the cougar trotting through a field. At first I wasn't sure what it was because I didn't know if there were even cougars around here! It was the size of a dog but it was a cat so I don't think there's anything else that it could be!"

St. Clair County- cougar sighted, concern for horses.
Reported Mon 11/12/2007 8:22 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 27, 2007
Time: 2:00 PM
County: ST. Clair
Location Description: 2 Miles south of I-69 on Wales Center Road
Sighting Description:
"This animal was in our north field that is planted in winter wheat. It was walking along the tree line. It was tawny in color and appeared to be about 70 pounds. On Nov. 10 we found a dead deer behind our barn by another treeline. The only thing left was the head and legs. The insides were gone and the ribs were chewed to the bones. I found paw prints by our pond measuring about 2 inches. I have pictures of the prints and the dead deer. I am worried about my horses that are in a pasture in that area. Do I need to report this to the DNR or will they ignore it? Thank you, -G.G."

Osceola County- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 11/9/2007 7:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/9/07
Time: 5:20pm
County: Osceola
Location Description: In a hay field along Lakola Road, just north of US 10.
Sighting Description:
"My brother and I were heading back in our field to set up a deer blind when we came over the hill and saw a large animal in the distance. We looked through our binoculars and saw that it was a cougar. We got closer but then it took off into the woods."

Wexford County- cougar sighted
Reported Wed 11/7/2007 4:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 1/15/07
Time: Dusk
County: Wexford
Location Description: Caberfae Rd just south of ski area, at bend in the road north of snowmobile bridge under road.
Sighting Description:
"Spotted by a friend while driving south on Caberfae Rd toward M-55, between Hoxeyville and Harrietta. Animal leaped across the road into the ditch and vanished into the woods east of the road. Observer is an avid outdoorsman and described a large tail 3-4' long. Also have heard many other reports of such animals in the greater Hoxeyville/Luther swamp area."

Crawford County- Reported confirmed cougar roadkill.
Reported Mon 11/5/2007 11:56 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11-5-2007
Time: 6 am
County: Crawford
Location Description: i-75, north down river rd exit
Sighting Description:
"My little brother called he had killed a cougar with his for taurus on i75 on his way downstate for work, h ewas passing the exit and an animal crossed into the roadway and when it seen headlights, laid down on his belly and was then hit, cougar was killed instantly, officials were notified, and transported animal to roscommon county, animal was 3 feet tall, 140-160 pounds, confirmed mountain lion."
SaveTheCougar.Org has a discussion page for this sighting.

Grand Traverse County- cougar sighted
Reported Mon 10/29/2007 8:52 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/29/2007
Time: 7:15 a.m.
County: Grand Traverse
Location Description: County Rd 633, Green Lake Township, approximately across from 3996 Co Rd 633 (about 1/4 mile down the long hill, heading north into Grawn.)
Sighting Description:
"At 7:15 a.m, 10/29/2007 (it was dark this morning) I was heading north on Co Rd 633, and had just started down the long hill on 633, heading north into Grawn. My headlights caught a fawn colored (or tan colored) animal at the side of the road, heading across the road from east to west. I slammed on my brakes and turned my highbeams on, looking for any more animals coming across (assuming it was a deer, and where there's one there's usually three.) By the time I looked back the animal had crossed the road and into the weeds, into the yard of an old stone house that was on the left (west side of the road), currently empty. I saw a fawn/tan colored, short haired animal, about 2.5 feet at the shoulder, with a long tail, loping across the road (not running fast like a deer). It was not a wolf or coyote (did not have a bushy tail), was not a house cat (too big), and not a deer. My daughter also saw it and assumed it was a lynx (but the tail was long, not short or stubbed). Can't imagine what else it could be. It did not stop in the road to stare at the oncoming headlights, but loped across the road and into the weeds/grass."

Jackson County- Cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 10/29/2007 8:48 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/27/07
Time: 11:30 pm
County: Jackson County
Location Description: In Springport, MI on Pope Church Rd near intersection of Robbins Rd.
Sighting Description:
"We were driving around shining deer when we saw eyes reflecting in the road. We slowed down thinking this was a deer when the cougar turned to the side and pounced into the swamp on opposite side of road. Cat was approx 2 feet tall and roughly 5 feet long with real light tint yellow hair."

Kalamazoo County- cougar waiting to cross road.
Reported Tue 10/23/2007 7:08 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/22/07
Time: approx. 10:20pm
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: on US 131 approx 200 yards North of Centre St exit.
Sighting Description:
"It appeared to be attempting to cross the US 131 toward a swampy wooded area. I could clearly see chest and head of the cat. "

Ogemaw County- Cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 10/23/2007 3:59 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/16/06
Time: 9:00 AM
County: Otsego
Location Description: Pigeon River State Forest, Behind Pickeral Lake.
Sighting Description:
"I was deer hunting with my cousin in the Pigeon River State Forest last season and we were watching a doe and her yearling walk by in a little valley in front of us. After a minute or 2 the doe froze and raised its tail then proceeded to run away followed closely by the yearling. We thought that we had some how spooked it, but about 30 seconds later, a large cat (cougar) with a thick long tail came out of the brush stopped and looked at us, then trotted off in the direction that the deer had just run. I was probably about 25 yards from the cat and am pretty convinced it was a full grown cougar that was tracking the deer."

Oakland County- Commerce Township sighting.
Reported Mon 10/22/2007 9:08 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/22/07
Time: 8:20 a.m.
County: Oakland
Location Description: Near intersection of Maple and Drake, on the edge of the wooded area next to the Jewish Community Center
Sighting Description:
"I was in the parking lot of the Jewish Community Center and noticed an animal on the edge of the wooded area next to the playground. It was tan/light brown and was walking along the woods."

SAVETHECOUGAR.ORG
Field Research Team Tshirt
$25.00

Livingston County- Large Black Feline sighted.
Reported Thu 10/11/2007 8:32 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/1/06
Time: ~7:15a.m.
County: Livingston
Location Description: Oceola Township
Sighting Description:
"Opening day of the 2006 Bow season (10/1) I saw a large black feline (panther?) from my tree stand in the section of woods I was hunting. It appeared for only a few seconds; ran down the length of a fallen tree trunk & disappeared into the brush behind me. The (cat) was long & slender (about ~4-5 feet in length & ~3 feet tall), black in color and had a very long thin tail."

Cass County- Very Large Black Cat Sighted.
Reported Wed 10/10/2007 5:26 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/10/07
Time: 10;30 A.M
County: CASS
Location Description: 1 MILE WEST OF US-12 & M-40 INTERSECTION ON OUR PROPERTY
Sighting Description:
This morning upon arriving at my house, I observed a large black panther approximately a hundred yards from my house. Our house is located over a quarter mile off US-12. The black panther started to walk towards me as we stared at each other. I rushed into the garage and closed the overhead door. This must have scared the panther because when I looked out the garage window, it was gone. We have been seeing at least fifteen deer in our bean field every evening, and last night our dog was barking a lot which is unusual.

SAVETHECOUGAR.ORG Cap
$15.00

Ogemaw County- Cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 10/9/2007 10:12 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-7-07 and 10-8-07
Time: both around 6:45 pm
County: Ogemaw
Location Description: 50 yards outside of a thick swamp
Sighting Description:
"I was deer hunting near n. mud lake rd. and ogamaw center, i nocticed what looked like to be a deer coming towards me 6;54pm, in till it climbed the tree. it stayed in the tree for 30 minutes, and then jumped out charging after somthing. the next night my buddy was hunting the stand, and saw the cougar in the same area on a dead run towards a open field 7:15 pm."

Alpena County- Cougar Sighted.
Reported Tue 10/9/2007 8:21 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/4/07
Time: @11:30 a.m.
County: Alpena
Location Description: On M-65 near andor rd (near beaver lake).
Sighting Description:
"on the side of the rd just standing thier looking in the ditch. and jumped in the woods. i would like some feed back on this discovery if and when possiable."

Oceana County- cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 10/9/2007 1:20 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 5, 2007
Time: 12:30 pm
County: Oceana
Location Description: On the exit ramp of 31 and Oceana Drive
Sighting Description:
"I was on the exit ramp from 31 to Oceana Drive (the business loop), and saw something crossing the road, perhaps 50 yards in front of me. There are trees lining the ramp, so it was already more than halfway across the road when it came into view. At first glance, I thought it was a small deer. But as it bounded into the bushes, it didn't seem to move at all like a deer and I noticed it had a very long, cat-like tail. I stopped where I thought it went into the trees, but I didn't see anything. I felt fairly sure that I must have seen a mountain lion, something I never expected to see. I drove on wondering what else it could have been, and was I seeing things? The only things about that size with a long tail in this region would be a dog or coyote. I've seen many of each, and I'm certain it wasn't either. This animal bounded off the road very gracefully. If I hadn't seen the tail, I suppose it could have been a very large bobcat, but the tail is what caught my attention. Having thought about it some more, I believe it had to have been a mountain lion."

UP Large Cougar Sighted.
Reported Mon 10/8/2007 1:00 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-5-07
Time: 10:30 AM
Location Description: Approx. 8 miles west of Escanaba on US 2/41
Sighting Description:
While driving west on US 2/41 approx. 8 miles west of Escanaba, a large cougar ran across the road approx. 45 - 50 yards in front of the vehicle.

Jackson County cougar, observed twice in yard.
Reported Sun 10/7/2007 10:06 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-06-07
Time: 6:00 p.m.
County: Jackson
Location Description: approx 5 miles east of Brooklyn and 1 mile north of M-124, in Norvell township
Sighting Description:
"On two seperate occasions a cougar was sighted in our yard. both times the cat was resting in a tree, and jumped down and ran upon human interaction. followed path of cat and was able to photograph prints in mud. print was 3" tall by 3" wide."

Kent County, Cougar Sighting
Reported Sat 10/6/2007 2:03 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/5/2007
Time: 11:00 PM
County: Kent
Location Description: Crossing M-6, approximately mile marker 13
Sighting Description:
"I was on my way to work at 11:00 pm, driving on M-6 west bound. No other vehicles were near, when in the distance, just within the range of my head lights I saw some movement on the North side of the road. Living in deer country, I immediately started slowing down expecting to see some does by the side of the road. What I saw was too small to be a deer, and way to big to be a raccoon. It ran across the road into the median, with that graceful lope that reminded me of my cats. It stopped for just a second on the side of the road and looked towards me. I about slammed on my brakes, I was looking at a cougar. It than turned and continued moving south."

Cougar sighted seven years ago in Gogebic County.
Reported Wed 10/3/2007 3:14 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: September 2001
County: Gogebic
Location Description: Black River Rd, between Bessemer and Lake Superior.
Sighting Description:
"It was 7 years ago, but I won't forget it. I'm originally from Owosso (downstate), but was working in Bessemer for a few days. I was driving along Black River Road (the road that runs along the Black River from Bessemer to Lake Superior) and I saw a cougar cross the road when I drove around a curve. My first instinct was that I thought it was a deer, but as I slowed down, got closer, and watched the animal stroll across the road, I realized it was a very large cat with a long tail. It disappeared into the woods. A few miles up the road I stopped to ask a jogger if there are any large cats in the area. He said local residents claim to have seen cougars, but he had never seen one. I am sure what I saw was a cougar."

Second Mecosta County Cougar Sighting reported in ten days.
Reported Cougar scat taken to DNR field office
Reported Tue 9/25/2007 8:05 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9-2-07
Time: 11am
County: Mecosta
Location Description: Cougar walked the length of my large backyard along the mowed edge of a field. I live at the edge of a lake - wooded and swampy areas nearby
Sighting Description:
I was sitting in my yard on a Sunday morning reading a book. An animal scream noise caught my attention and I looked up to see a squirrel make a huge running leap onto a telephone pole.....as a cougar walked through the yard about 100 yds from me. It was golden brown in the bright sun - a long sloping tail and 2 or 3 dark shadings decending at a right angle from the backbone down its coat. The cougar was not looking at me but away from me into the field. Later in the day we found a pile of scat (identified from internet picture) on our two track drive almost 1/4 mile from the sighting. A similar fresh pile of scat was found in the same area the next two days - so, three days in a row. I took the three scat samples to the DNR office in Paris, MI.

Barry County , Michigan - cougar observed.
Reported Mon 9/24/2007 8:26 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/24/2007
Time: 7:45 pm
County: Barry
Location Description: norris rd and Keller rd
Sighting Description:
I was traveling south on Norris road toward Pairieville,Mi when the Cougar crossed Norris rd into a corn field. the cougar was adult in size. color was tan with a white tip tail you could see rib and hip bones on the cougar.

Cougar sighted near Mears, Michigan.
Reported Mon 9/17/2007 9:48 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Jan 17 2007
Time: 10 34 am
County: Oceana
Location Description: 2 miles north of silver lake/mears michigan on b15n ridge road
Sighting Description:
"it had snowed 7 inches the night before. heading south on b15 the cat leaped in front of my truck crossing my lane and the shoulder , i stopped ,it ran 40 feet stopped turned around looked at me and continued on its way.i got out, walked over followed its tracks 20 feet where they met up with even bigger tracks heading sw. being a heavly forested aera , i retreated to my truck, went to hart and reported it to the michigan state police. later, in april in the back of my property i found tracks of a young cougar, and made a plaster cast which i still have. thank you for your web site J.Z.-"

Mecosta County, Cougar Sighting
Reported Sat 9/15/2007 2:15 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 09-13-07
Time: 10:30 am
County: Mecosta
Location Description: "along M66 a mile south of Remus going from west to east."
Sighting Description:
"It was a wooded area and it cross into a wooded area with a small lake and wet land. "

Van Buren County, Michigan - Horse Attacked
Reported Fri 9/14/2007 6:51 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Click here for the Full Report from the MCCR.

North West Wayne County, Michigan - cougar observed.
Reported Sat 9/8/2007 10:47 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/8/07
Time: 10:30 AM
County: NW Wayne
Location Description: subdivision - next to brush 30 yards behind the house

Sighting Description:
"We saw the cougar by the brush and thought it was a dog or fox or coyote but realized it was a big wildcat. I went for my camera and opened the sliding door and it went into the brush. Then we realized it must have been a cougar. The whole sighting lasted two minutes."

Reported Fri 8/31/2007 2:40 PM to www.savethecougar.org
North of Kalamazoo, Michigan - large feline sighted last October.
Date of Observation: 10/2006
Time: late 12:30 A.M.
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: Cougar crossing highway as I was driving south on 131 from Kalamazoo about 1/2 mile north of Shaver Rd.

Sighting Description:
It was late and I was driving home on 131 just north of Schoolcraft from Kalamazoo around 12:30 A.M. I noticed a large animal crossing the highway about 40 yards in front of me. I thought it was a dog or Coyote at first but as it continued to cross I could tell it moved like a cat not a dog. It was running at a slow pace (trotting?) and never looked toward me or stopped. I am positive it was a very large cat and not of the domestic type. I believe there is a state game area in this vicinity and the animal was moving from west to east toward the game area. It happened very quickly but I know what I saw was feline. I have seen many coyotes and know it was not a coyote. Kevin

Near Alpena, Michigan -two sightings in four years.
Reported Fri 8/31/2007 2:40 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8-27-07
Time: 6pm
County: Alpena
Location Description: Township of Alpena along the Thunder Bay River.

Sighting Description:
I was leaving my parents' house, which is on Burkholder Dr(Private). It follows along the Thunder Bay river and is just outside the city limits. The road is wooded and is home to quite a variety of wildlife. I saw a couger cub about the size of a small dog or large house cat trotting down the side of the road. As soon as it noticed me, it quickly made a ninety degree turn into the woods. I realized it was a couger due to the tail, color, and size of it's paws. About four years ago, about 10 miles up river, near our hunting camp, we spotted an adult couger crossing the road(Glennie Rd, in Lachine), so this wasn't to much of a suprise. I'm now keeping a lookout for mom!

Oakland County , Michigan -two reports of the same cougar.
Reported Aug 20, 2007 1:58 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 08/10/2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
County: Oakland
Location Description: 8 Mile and Halstead. Picture was taken of the cougar in yard.
Sighting Description: Neighbor took a picture with a digital camera of the Cougar looking into the camera about 50 yards away.

Phoenix, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Aug 19, 2007 2:56 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/14/07
Time: 7:20 pm
County: Keweenaw
Location Description: Seen at the edge of m-26 approximately one mile north of the city of Phoenix -crossing the road in a northeast direction . The area is wooded with the Eagle river paralleling m-26.
Sighting Description:
lon=-88.282737; lat=47.396272 I saw a silhouette of a large feline with a long tail entering the woods. The tail hung close to the rear legs and curled up at the end. The feline was approximately two feet high at the level of its back. It appeared to be a dark tan color. However, low levels of light at the edge of the woods made it difficult to discern the feline's color from a shadow.

Benzie County , Michigan -another cougar chased by dog.
Reported Sun 8/19/2007 9:34 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/17/07
Time: 7:30 p.m.
County: Benzie
Location Description: Platte Plains Trail, just west of Bass Lake on Bass Lake Loop trail.
Sighting Description:
My husband and I were hiking into White Pine Campground from the Trailhead at Bass Lake. Right at the point the trail turns west, our black lab caught a scent and took off on us over the ridge to the west. We became instantly alarmed when we heard her high pitched yelping and we feared she was hurt from the sound. I began running back down the trail towards the Trailhead towards the sound, calling her. About 100 feet in front of me, a cougar crossed the trail in front of me running to the northwest. She was very large and ran very fast, but silently close to the ground. She was a tawny orange color, not brownish like a deer. Very thick body. We did not check for tracks, duh....sorry. Afterwards, while asking ourselves many questions, my husband surmised that our lab may have had her treed, recognizing the sound he remembers from childhood when his hunting dogs treed something. The cougar, however, was at least 4 times the size of our small lab (46 pounds). Our lab was unharmed.

Oakland County, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Aug 18, 2007 6:32 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 08/2007
Time: Mid-day
County: Oakland
Location Description: Border of Northville/Farmington Hills, 8 and Halsted.
Sighting Description: "My family friend was looking out his window into his backyard and noticed what appeared to be a coyote in his neighbor's backyard. Upon noticing this, he told the other members of his family who grabbed binoculars and a camera. Turns out, what they were looking at was no coyote, it was a cougar lying in the sun in the middle of a neighborhood. "

Leelanau County, Michigan -cougar chased by dog.
Reported Tue 8/14/2007 1:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/10/07
Time: 8am
County: Leelanau
Location Description: Centerville TWP. Lavassar seasonal road. off 643.
Sighting Description:
"Ran my Huskies up the road and Romeo my 90 lb. Huskie flew by me to my left near cherry orchard and I was 20 feet away and he was to my shock chasing a cougar about as big as he was. The cougar did get away and Romeo came back. I contacted the local police who said say "would make a note of my call". DNR would do nothing. Do not know if I should contract Leelanau Enterprise to inform or no one cares about this. Because of this, my 10 year old daughter will not go for walks alone again. -Dr. M.G. D.O."

Van Buren, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 8/13/2007 2:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8-4-07
Time: 7:20 am
County: Van Buren
Location Description: CR 215 just south of CR365 Fairly rural area.
Sighting Description:
"I was on my way to work and it ran across the road approx. 200 ft. ahead of me. At first I tried to figure out what I actually saw. It was running faster than I have ever seen an animal run before. I've seen many deer, coyote, and a few fox in the area, but this was definately different."

Emmet County, Michigan - two cougars observed.
Reported Thu 8/9/2007 9:11 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/9/07
Time: 8pm
County: Emmet
Location Description: Five Mile Creek Road, 1/4 mile south of Stutsmanville Road
Sighting Description:
"Two cougars crossed the road in front of me (less than 150ft in front of me) while I was riding my road bike. They were about 40ft apart crossing, one after the other from woods (R side) to open hayfield (L side). They were running (looked very strong and fluid stride) and had large heads and long tails. Light brown (lighter than a deer)with some darker areas."

Roscommon, Michigan - cougar observed.
Reported Tue 8/7/2007 7:44 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 6/17/06
Time: 9:30 am
County: Roscommon
Location Description: Our nieghbors back yard. We live on Higgins lake.

Sighting Description:
"While at our vacation house on Higgins Lake, I looked out our kitchen window and saw a cougar standing on top of a small hill in our nieghbors back yard. It had a big long tail. It was very large. Bigger than most dogs. I would estimate over 100 pounds. I watched as it moved it's very long tail around. It seemed relaxed. It was only 50 yards from our window. I could not believe my eyes that it was a cougar. 9 years ago when me and four friends thought we saw a cougar while golfing, we did some research and found that they were extinct in Michigan. With this previous information My husband and I decided to walked out side and get a closer look. We looked the big cat right in the eyes. It stared back at us. We even walked away and grabbed binaculars and looked at it. It was a cougar. We saw it very close up and observed it for 20 minutes in a wide open area. It was not smart of us to walk outside. If we had not researched and found cougars to be extinct 9 years ago we would not have done that. We would have believed our eyes from inside the house. "

Oakland County, Michigan - cougar crossing.
Reported Fri 8/3/2007 2:13 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/3/07
Time: 7:28 am
Where did the observation occur?
County: Oakland
Location Description: Driving north on Newburg between 8-9 mile.Farmington Area
Sighting Description:
"Cars began stopping in front of me, I then noticed a large animal run across the road. Medium brown in color, it's run was that of a cat. I would say it was the size of a med-large dog, long muscular body w/long tail. By the time I approached the area I could just make out his hind quarters entering a small wooded area.When I came to the light I pulled up next to a man who had been 2 cars in front of me and he asked/said 'that was a cougar'. "

Dowagiac, Michigan -cougar tracks.
Reported Tue 7/31/2007 12:19 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: July 19th, 2007
Time: 7:00 AM
County: Cass
Location Description: Third hole on Spruce Ridge Golf Cours
Sighting Description:
"Not a sighting but rather tracks on the green. Dew was still on the green. Tracks were about 2 1/2 inches across and measured 27 inches apart. The animal was heavy enough to leave slight impression on green. There were 8 ladies playing bridge a week before this about 1/2 mile away and all saw large cat about 50 yards distant."

Livingston County, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Tue 7/31/2007 9:30 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 07-30-07
Time: 5:15 pm.
County: Livingston
Location Description: Dirt part of Silver Lake Road near wet lands.
Sighting Description:
"Large lion jumped from embankment on right side of road & ran across the road and up the other bank and into thick bush. Large head & long tail. I thought it was a deer at first. Same color and stride."

Muskegon, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 7/30/2007 7:41 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 7-28-2007
Time: 10:20pm
County: muskegon/newago line
Location Description: "countyline, woods corn fields lots of open fields a waterlands, jumped out of a little ditched on side of road headlights hit eyes, i looked at my youngest son and said chayton you see that? thats a cougar!! he say's mom stop so we can look longer at it, as he jumped back in the the woods. that was the first time i have seen one but not the first time i have heard one in the area as i am a hunter and have heard the screams of them a few times at night when i was getting out of my stand during bow season."

Barry County, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Fri 7/27/2007 4:06 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 7/21/07
Time: 7:00 am
County: Barry
Location Description: Long Lake Trail in Yankee Springs.
Sighting Description:
Saw a large dark (black or dark brown) cat about 200 yards away. I was about a 1/2 mile from the Long Lake Trailhead on Chief Noonday Road in Yankee Springs. It saw me, looked at me briefly and ran off into the woods. "

Muskegon, Michigan - cougar observed.
Reported Fri 7/13/2007 10:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 7/13/07
Time: 9:50 p.m.
County: Muskegon
Location Description: "Country, heading into a corn field where we've seen many young deer."

Sighting Description:
"My headlights shown on him about a 1/4 mile from our home as I returned from town. He came from open country to the north (miles of fields, woods, crops, etc. ) Bigger than a normal cat, long thin tail, long stride, powerful paws, and leaped into the ditch. Mottled coloring; whitish underneath; purposeful."

Mecosta, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Fri 7/13/2007 11:37 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: July 13, 2007
Time: 9:00 AM (approx)
County: Mecosta
Location Description:
Hayes Road near 120th avenue (partial wooded area)just west of Round Lake, large deer colored animal, but very cat like profile. I was walking with my wife and our dog (on a leash). We actually hesitated to continue walking where the animal had crossed the road in front of us, but decided to continue our walk. On our return walk past the same area we again sighted the animal up in the field approx. 200 feet off the road. It defenately was observing us as we passed.
Sighting Description:
The animal appeared to about three feet in length not including the tail. The tail was held slightly down then curved up slightly. We see deer every day on this walk and we both agree that it was definately not a deer. I'm also sure it wasn't a coyoty because the tail was very slender and not at all bushy. "

Jackson County , Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Thu 7/12/2007 10:12 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 06-21-07
Time: 6:15PM
County: Jackson
Location Description: cougar was crossing the Albion-Concord Rd. coming out from a swamp and was going across a bean field.
Sighting Description:
"My wife and me both saw this cougar it was only about 75 yards out in the beans after crossing the road. we slow down to almost a stop and watch as it walked out in the field and the beans where about seven inch tall.we watch it for about three min. it look back and started into a little run and we drove on to dinner."

Hillsdale County, Michigan -small cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 7/11/2007 11:14 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 7/11/07
Time: 9:20 pm.
County: Hillsdale county
Location Description: 1/4 mile N of Reading Rd. on Carpenter Rd.
Sighting Description: "It leaped in front of my car crossing the road, and ran into a corn field. I was stunned, at first I was thinking this sure is a small deer then saw the tail. It was thin! I had about a 30 second look!"

Oceana County, Michigan -possible young cougar observed.
Reported Wed 7/11/2007 2:31 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date: 7/11/2007
Time: 12:30 p.m.
County: Oceana
Location Description: East of US 31 on Hazel Road in Hart Township.

Sighting Description:
Me and a friend saw what appeared to be a cougar crossing Hazel road, however it had a short tail. It was tan in color and about the size of a medium dog but longer. Please let me know if anyone else has spotted this animal. Beautiful, but scary.
read and discuss this sighting

Barry County, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 7/10/2007 10:01 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date: 07/08/2007
Time: 7:30 PM
County: Barry
Location Description: Loop Road Middleville,Mi 49333
Sighting Description: "My Son and nephew both age 13 were at there Grandfathers house and saw a Cougar cross in front of them on a dear path. My Son and nephew are still shaken up. My son knows what a cougar looks like and my nephew also. The cougar was heading south towards M-37 @ 1:30 PM Hope this helps, J.A."

Alger County, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Tue 7/10/2007 12:03 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date: 07/07/2007
Time: 11pm?
County: Alger
Location Description: On M28 near Deerton maybe? In some open fields.
Observation Description: "While slowing my overall speed down to watch for deer I saw something run across M28. As I slowed down I saw a large freakin' feline on the shoulder of the road walking and turned then looked at my Envoy! I was in shock as I had no idea that these things lived in Michigan. At first, my wife and I thought we just seen a loose zoo animal or a lost pet. I thought bobcat but knew without doubt this was no cat. It had all the 'lionesque' features to its body and walk. It was a little nervewrecking to know that we camped out in the porcupines with these creatures let alone the bear and the black flies that were taking chunks of my flesh along as souveniers. Anyway, glad to know we weren't seeing things! Also, we thought we saw a 'collar' like thing around the neck. Are they tagged by DNR?."

Lenawee County, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Sun 7/8/2007 10:13 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date: 07/08/2007
Time: 7:30 PM
County: Lenawee
Location Description: Sighting was made on a farm, on a boundary between a wooded area and a cut hay field. Location is adjacent to the Raisin River.
Sighting Description:
Observation Description: The animal was first spotted outside a kitchen window, at about 1/4 mile distance as it emerged from a wooded area along a cut hay field. It walked along the boundary of the woods and field for several hundred feet, at which point it was observed with binoculars for positive identification. It then reentered the woods. Subsequent examination of the site revealed no tracks due to the hard, dry ground and excess cut hay covering the ground.

Near Jackson, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Sat 7/7/2007 12:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"I was driving home from Jackson and there is a dirt road I take to get to my hosue. As I passed by this clearing, I noticed something laying there just looking around. I decided to backup because I knew it wasn't a dog, it was way too big to be a domestic cat or any other type of animal that I recognized. I sat there looking at it and it would sorta turn its head and look at me, then turn back around. Finally it got up and fairly slow, slinked into the woods. It was a dark grayish color, with a long tail. Its body was quite long. It definitely looked more adult then something young. That's what made me go back and look at it, it just wasn't something that looked common to me. It was very cool I must say!"

Lewiston, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 7/4/2007 4:02 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was driving slowly looking for bear tracks on the walsh rd of of 612 east of lovels the cat must have spooked as my truck came to view and he ran in front of my vehicle several days later a friend reported seeing a cougar and it was the same location. The Grayling report that you have for 06/07 is only a few miles from this sighting "

Cedar Springs, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Sun 7/1/2007 1:18 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was driving my kids to my in-laws. We were on Bailey Rd. about 1 mile before you get in the town of Coral when something ran in front of us. I said Oh my gosh that was some kind of big cat. It was tan, had a long tail and looked like a big dog. It was running fast so I couldn't see more but I definately knew it was something unusual. I came home and found this website and it confirmed what I thought we saw."

Stephenson, Michigan -cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 6/29/2007 11:33 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I had just returned home and the cougar was walking north to south towards the Shakey creek."

North Oakland County, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Wed 6/27/2007 10:37 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"On 26 June 2007 I saw the animal run on the trail from just North of the Oakland Land Conservancy – Golden Preserve (property on Clark Road) sign to the North. (Oakland County Town 4N R8E Section16.) A doe and a young deer came bounding out of the woodlot into the open field and into the next woodlot. I had a very good look at the cougar, but not long enough to take a photograph. I saw it as it ran ahead of me about 50 feet, stopped and turned to look back at me and then turned and continued to run along the two track to the North and out of sight. There was no question as to its identity as it was about 2.5 feet in height or more to the top shoulder, estimated weight was over 150 pounds being over 3 feet in length, a furry tail about 2 feet long. It was tan to gold in color with white on portion of the underside."

Hoxeyville Michigan -large lion observed, last April. .
Reported Sun 6/24/2007 11:21 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"Sighting was described to us from an incident this past April, in Hoxeyville. The cat was estimated at 3-3.5 feet in height or more to the top shoulder. Est. weight was 200 lbs.... It was walking across W 48 Road just West of No. 11 1/4 Road. Heading N it was described as walking very deliberately and not running, across the road. Print stride was est. at over 5 feet 6 inches, a tail at least 1/4 to almost half the body length, and 3-3.5 feet at the front shoulder. Similar sightings have been seen around the Pine River Valley, and the Manistee National forest. We have over 120 acres of privately owned land and know many of the folks in this area. Similar sightings have been observed by others as well."

FENNVILLE, Michigan -cougar observed.
Reported Sat 6/23/2007 11:17 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was riding my bike slowly at sunset south on 64th street. I always look for deer, coyotes, and turkeys which are frequent visitors to this area. I saw movement in the tall grasses in an untended portion of a fenced horse pasture. I dismounted from the bike while looking at the pasture. The cat arose from the tall grasses in a pouncing movement followed a small animal(possibly a rabbit) around behind a stand of sumac trees. I did not see it after that despite returning 5 minutes later with a flashlight and camera. This cat had a long tail, was large dog sized, and moved like a lanky cat, not like a coyote. Our neighbors dog, had mentioned that his fearless dog had been afraid to go out at night lately. The neighbor suspected a large predator might be afoot."

Novi Michigan -MOTHER WITH THREE KITTENS.
Reported Sat 6/23/2007 1:38 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was mowing 3 acres of a 10 acre parcel. I was riding along in the field when I saw what I thought was a deer and fawn along side the woods. Deer are frequently seen in this area. At second glance I realized it was not a deer, coyote or fox. I've seen them all but never this!!! It appeared to be a lion. The paws and muscles on this cat were unbelievable. I stopped dead in my tracks. She went back in the woods and I saw another cub. I locked eyes with it. It was the size of a dog, we're talking a large dog! It looked like a giant cat with rounded ears and golden brown in color. I immediately retreated back to the house. Approximately 2 hours later, my mother and I witnessed her in the field again, this time with 3 cubs. They were frolicking and playing. Again, I'm still in awe over the situation. We've lived in Novi for 30 years and this was a first. We're not sure where to go from here, but I won't be mowing the lawn again anytime soon! An amazing day to say the least... "

Lakeland, near Pickney -cougar on cottage chimney.
Reported Thu 6/21/2007 8:00 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"There is an abandonded cottage on the river behind my house which sits down a hill on the Huron River. I looked out the kitchen window and saw what I thought was a dog on the chimney. I thought "how did a dog get on that chimney?". I am a birder so I have my binoculars close by and looked through them to discover that it was a mountain lion!! I also have my camera close by and grabbed that, walked out the back door and just pointed it in the general direction and took the shot. All I got was the hind end of the cat jumping down off the chimney." CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO

Grayling, Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported Jun 20, 2007 11:31 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was sitting on the front porch with my 3yr. old daughter. I noticed movement in the woods across the river and started to watch. At first the animal appeared to be black. Lots of thick woods make a lot of shade. I thought a bear was coming. My neighbor was also up for the weekend and he has a larger black lab mix, so I thought it might be the dog coming home. Finally, the animal reached a clearing right on the edge of the river and I realized that is was a cougar. It was gold and tan in color. Breathtaking animal! I would say 4ft long and maybe 130 pounds. Very solid build! I grabbed my daughter to get her into the house. She was not wanting to cooperate due to her curiosity of what I was staring at. She turned to look into the woods and saw the cougar. Then after going unnoticed the entire time, my daughter yells out "what's that" and the cat stopped and looked at us. It did not appear startled. It almost had a proud arrogance about it. We then made our way into the house and the cat continued on through the woods. "

Bellevue, Michigan -cougar near bus stop.
Reported 6/15/2007 4:01 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"MY 6YR OLD and his mother saw it at 7:30AM MAY 28TH while waiting for school bus ,crouched in knee high weeds on side of the large sandy embankment 50ft across the street. My neighbor across the street called and said his wife saw a 4ft long big cat also at7:30am waiting for bus , 2 days later spotted on top of hill across the street as she was leaving in vehicle, days later neighbors wife saw it run in to woods from their yard just before dark."

Mattawan, Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported 6/14/2007 8:06 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"My brother lives across the street from me in Almena township and was mowing his lawn. He saw an extremely large animal drinking from the pond. He stopped to watch for awhile and it was definatly a large cat. He watched it for a long time then he wanted to see what it would do so he hollered at it and it looked at him but did not seem bothered. He did have his cell phone and took a photo of it, however it is from a distance."

Hale, Michigan - Cougar Sighting
Reported Tue 6/12/2007 2:45 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" This was 7-8 years ago, my family owns a vacation home in just outside of downtown Hale. While up there on vacation my infant niece got sick and had a high temp so around 2 a.m. my mother and sister started heading to town in hopes that one of the 24 hr gas stations would have some infant tylenol. Heading down Curtis Rd towards County Line Rd a cougar walked accross the road and into the woods on the other side of the road. My sister and mother couldnt believe what they had seen and was not only exited but positive it was a cougar. On that same weekend trip after the sighting my mother and father were heading to town for breakfast one morning and as the drove down Curtis Rd the dead end street was lined with vehicles and men in DNR jackets armed in the wooded area where my mother and sister had seen the cougar. When my mother asked them what was going on they simply stated that they were looking for a fox that was spotted...A FOX??? Since when does the DNR hunt foxes that are in the woods. What my mother and sister saw was not a fox."

Woodhaven, Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported Sun 6/10/2007 10:49 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" A large cougar ran across the road in front of our car, it was over 100 pounds and had a long tail. Witness has a PHD in Wildlife Studies and is certian it was a cougar.

Jackson, Michigan -jogger sights cougar.
Reported Mon 6/4/2007 8:26 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was jogging at 9pm and saw a head pop out from tall grass(grass about 3 feet tall) head was round with rounded ears - I was suprised and walked towards it - it bounded off south towards woods and 127 north....I saw deer the same evening this was shorter. I've also seen coyotes before, this had rounder ears."

Nashville, Michigan - Cougar Sighted
Reported Fri 6/1/2007 11:09 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was loading the car and realized my dog was watching something across the road. I looked over there and there was the cougar standing there watching us back. As big as our german Sheperd dog who weighs 110lb, tan with a long tail. I yelled for my husband who was out in back of the barn cleaning fish, when he came running to see what was going on the dog started to run across the road chasing the cougar. We called him back and the cougar ran back into the cedar swamp."

Cheboygan Michigan -
Person walking a house cat attracts cougar.
Reported May 29, 2007 2:55 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" As I was walking my cat along the shores of Lake Huron, she started to get in her defense mode. Hair standing, hissing and basically unmanageable. I looked up as the beach is about 10 ft lower than the lands edge and spotted the mid to back side of the Cougar. It was walking slowly along the cliff edge and heading into heavy brush. I did see the long tail, immediately thought knew that this was definately NOT a dog, first thing that came to mind was, I have to get out of here as I just saw a Cougar. Last year we had lost our other cat to a fast predator as we had heard the chase and never saw her again."

Canton Michigan -Pair of Cougars Sighted
Reported May 26, 2007 10:20 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"Driving kids to school in the morning on Ridge Road (dirt road) saw two large felines chase eachother (east to west) across Ridge Road from the tall grass on east side to the open field on the west side. Cats ran directly in front of my vehicle, full of kids who also saw the animals, into the open field, tussled up into the air, and turned back in front of my vehicle, back into the tall grass on the east side. I did not stop, but there was no mistaking what we saw. Light was good, and sightings were very close to the front and side of my slow moving vehicle."

Spring Lake, Michigan - Cougar Sighting.
Reported May 24, 2007 8:49 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" Saw large cat from kitchen. It was walking away on a path in the woods. I grabbed binoculars and ran out to get a better look. I went to about 40 feet from the cat and stopped and watched it through the binocs. It walked slowly away until I hissed at it, it then stopped and slowly turned toward me and looked at me for about 5 seconds, turned back and continued walking away. I sized it using a bush and branch that it was near by measuring the height of the branch relative to the cat's haunches."

Belleville, Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported May 7, 2007 9:21 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"There was a small break in traffic and it came out of high grass to cross, but the break wasn't big enough so it circled returned to high grass. This was NOT a large house cat. Cougar with long thick tail."

Covert, Michigan - Cougar Sighting
Reported May 6, 2007 10:38 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"My fiancé saw the glow of eyes as pulling in our drive--much to big to be a k-9, and even with the light shining at him it just stared back, but was gone by the time we came back out of the house with the spotlight. Although our dogs have really been barking alot at night lately."

Sighting near Traverse City, Michigan. -
Reported 5/5/2007 5:59 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" Was on our deck and jumped from the top deck to the bottom deck and ran off around the house when it saw me."
* SavetheCougar.Org called 5/7 and spoke to the witness who described the decks being 10 vertical feet apart and the ease at which the animal descended the distance. The witness described a overall increase in wildlife abundance in the past few years as well as just recently with the addition of a new birdfeeder on the deck that has been attracting all kinds of small visitors at night. Witness has also seen a bobcat on their deck as well. The witness had also lived in Montana and had previously witnessed mountain lion sightings in the wild before, leading this to be a rather credible sighting.
** The witness did report their sighting to the DNR who has yet to respond.

Grandville, Michigan - Cougar Sighting.
Reported May 4, 2007 1:16 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was driving home from working third shift when myself and another driver spotted the large cat crossing the road infront of us. we were shocked to see such a big cat in this area. It was tan,muscular,large,big pointed ears."

Climax, Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported May 2, 2007 7:52 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I had just passed the entrance to Scotts Mill Park, a Kalamazoo Park located in a rural area just west of Scotts, Michigan and I was watching for wildlife as this is an area where I frequently have deer cross in front of me or see racoons in the roadway. I was coming up to the intersection of Q Avenue and 34th Street when I caught movement on the left side of the roadway and I let off the gas. All at once what appeared to be a big, dirty, black/brown "cat" approximately the size of a German Shepherd, with a long tail, ran across the road in front of me. It appeared to either be just running to get across without getting hit or possibly on the trail of something. It didn't look up or around, it was on a mission. It took a minute or two for it to register that what I had just seen was a cougar. "

Farmington, Michigan - Cougar Sighting
Reported May 2, 2007 4:46 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" Originally I thought it was a large, black plastic garbage bag. However, as I got closer and kept looking I saw it was a dark grey/black cat by the way it was slinking/stalking through the grass/brush. I slowed down a little bit as I neared the merge point onto 696, because I started to get a better appreciation for the size of the cat...which looked to be about the size of an 80-pound black lab. Based on my reference point of dogs and my own 80-pound german shepherd. "

Sightings near Grayling, Michigan. -
Reported 4/23/2007 8:11 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"I had parked my truck in the garage and was coming out on the driveway and looking West as usual because deer are sometimes in the field across the road. I saw an animal and knew that it was not a deer. It was crossing the field and entered some pine trees eventually. Looked like it was following some critter. It kind of jumped sideways and then went into a pine thicket. The long tail was clearly visible and the head and color was visible. Last year I had seen an animal cross Hwy 612 in the Jones Lake area. My wife was with me and we were sure that we were not sure what it was. Same color and with a tail. Really didn't think of a cougar at the time. Also, this last winter I was outside after dark and standing in my driveway and having an evening cigar. I heard an unusal and high pitch growl. Made me nervous and went back into the house. I hadn't really tied together the previous sighting and sound until seeing the cougar Saturday."

Saginaw, Michigan - Black Cougar Sighting in 2003
Reported Sun 4/20/2007 11:43 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was traveling home from work about 1:00 am. I not only drove this rounte everyday but have scouted and hunted much of this land in the area. My head lights caught the glowing eyes of something in the woods as I drove by and I could pick out the outline of a body shape that appeared to be larger then a raccoon or possum and cat like in shape. I have hunted all kinds of game in Michigan since I was a young boy and have never seen anything like this. I pulled off to the side of the road and backed up. At the time I always had a spot light in my truck as I like to spot deer. I backed up to the place I had picked up the eyes and shinned my light. I did not see anything for a few seconds but then caught some movement. When I shinned the light towards the moment I saw a large cat larger then anyone I have ever seen. It was about 6 feet or so in length ( including tail) and all black. It stared straight into the light for about 15 seconds. I thought at first that I was seeing things but then it moved and bounded off to the east towards some very thick rasberry bushes. When it moved it was very cat like in it movement and was croutched down while it was still it sat just like a cat would. I thought it was possibly a pet that someone had let loose but after hearing about what other people have seen I thought I should report this even though it was quite awhile ago. I know it was a long time ago but I remember it like it was yesterday and will never forget it."

Two hunters spot a cougar in Michigan. -
Reported Mon 4/16/2007 10:06 AM to www.savethecougar.org
"My friend and I were hunting on CFA property North of Meautawka (spelling) We both hunted on two ridges about 300 yards apart. The cougar came out of a dense evergreen forest and walked between the two of us in a hardwood forest. At first, I tought it was a small deer walking the valley between us but I noticed that its head was round like a small basketball. I thought it was a bobcat but it was too small, tanish brown color, with a long tail. The cougar headed to the thick new growth of the clear-cut area. I was shocked! I said to myself their are no cougars in Michigan. I don't drink alcohol or do so I know what I saw,plus, I am a Biology teacher who knows his mammals. At dark, my friend approached me and he was speechless. His eyes were wide open and startled looking. He was also a trapper who has seen bobcats before. He said, "don't say it I know what you just saw. You saw a mountain lion didn't,t ya." I was relieved to know that I was not seeing things. For those that don't think there are cougars in michigan, explain to me how two individuals that have knowledge of wild life described the exact same thing to each other. No one will be able to convince me that cougars are not in Michigan."

Galesburg, Michigan - Cougar Sighting
Reported Sun 4/15/2007 11:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"This sighting was in Galesburg on HJ Avenue towards the cross street of 35th. Sighting was at around 8:00 to 8:15pm on Saturday April 14, 2007. The weather was overcast, but still bright. I had stopped over to a friends house, but they were not home yet. I called to see where they were and they were about 10 miles away, so I figured I would just wait for them. After moving my car out from in front of their garage, I saw what I thought was a dog, a golden retriever to be precise, out in the field behind their house.
I started approaching the animal and got to the side of the garage. At this point the animal stopped and looked at me. It was at this point I realized it was not a dog because it had the face of a cat. After discretely moving in front of the garage, and then when I was out of it sight, I ran unlocked the door and went inside. Went through the inside of the house and continued to observe the animal through the sliding glass door. After not finding their digital camera, I just watched the animal through the sliding glass door. It walked much like my cat used to walk, very sleek. It was a very muscular animal, and you could see the muscles move It's hair appeared to be shedding down the back of the animals legs.When it moved out of sight from the slider I went into the kitchen and knocked on the window getting the animals attention. It stood there and stared at me as I stared at it. It was not unto this point that I was sure the animal was a cougar. I googled images of cougars after I lost sight of it in the woodline, and it looked exactly like the images I had seen. I know the area has coyotes, but this animal was too big to be a coyote, and I called the neighbors that own golden retrievers to make sure that they had been inside, and they were."

Sterling Heights Cougar Sighting
Reported Sat 4/14/2007 6:24 PM to www.SaveTheCougar.Org
" Cougar was walking across the road into the swamp area. Got a real good look at the profile. We didn't know weather it was a bobcat or cougar but after we got home we looked up the pictures and it was definitely a Cougar. My children and I got a real good look at him/her."

Kalamazoo, Michigan- Cougar sighting.
Reported Sun 4/1/2007 1:27 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was coming back from k-zoo mall, and happend to take 131 through schoolcraft. I was just leaving the town and i'd about 2 miles after the tracks going south from the town I spotted the animal that look just like a couger. I had pulled over to get a better glance at it and sure enough it was on. It was about 100 yds looking to the right, which that would be west. Its just stared over where I was at. It was hearing all the noise from the road I think? Than it took off going west. Then After that I took off back home."

Cougar crossing highway- seen by multiple motorists.
Suburban area near Farmington Hills.
Reported Thu 3/29/2007 8:10 PM to www.SaveTheCougar.Org
" I was in the left lane (closest to the median,) an all of a sudden I saw the tan cougar bound to the left, passing in front of the car in front of me. I know that driver saw him because after he passed we both slowed down to let it sink in, the animal crossed the southbound side in front of a pack of cars so closely that I thought he may have been hit, so I actually turned around to go southbound just to see if I could see him. On my way home this evening I was able to observe exactly where he crossed, there is a little "oasis" Of wild cover, and a small pond. I will stop tomorrow to see if I can see any paw prints. "

Flint, Michigan- Road kill cougar in Summer of 2004
Reported Thurs 3/21/2007 3:23 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I had an interesting thing happen in the summer of 2004.  I live in Flint, MI, and frequently travel I-75 between Bristol and Pierson Rds.  One afternoon, my brother an I were traveling south on I-75 and were between Pierson Rd. and Corunna Rd.  I noticed ahead that there was an animal lying dead next to the concrete median, a deer perhaps.  As we passed, I took a look and was shocked (and I mean shocked) at what I saw.  There is no doubt in my mind that it was a Mountain Lion.  As I started to tell my brother what I had just seen, he started stammering.  He too was so shocked by what he had seen that all he could get out of his mouth was "it's a...it's a...lion!"  It had all of the characteristics: large in size, unusually long tail, cat-like face, dark around the mouth; the first thing I noticed was the very long tail.  I told my father about it and he wasn't sure whether or not to believe the story and had to drive by it for himself.  He is convinced that what he saw was indeed a Cougar.  C.P. Flint, MI "

SaveTheCougar.Org has requested additional evidence-
To read more why this sighting is so interesting to us click here.

Indiana Cougar Sighting - 10 miles from Michigan border.
Reported Sun 3/14/2007 1:15 PM to www.SaveTheCougar.Org
" Sighting occurred while driving with sister in the early afternoon and saw him walking in a field.. could not believe our eyes,, he was just walking slow in a field near our town in indiana.. north liberty... he made 2 of my dog and hes a big boxer boy.. he stopped on a hill and just looked at us and was moving his long cord like tail back and fourth.. it was breathtaking... then he just slowly walked in a woods like he was scared of nothing.. cathy finch north liberty indina"
Additional evidence submitted. Property owner finds scat

Belmont, Michigan- Cougar Pair Sighting
Reported Thu 3/1/2007 5:21 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"German Shephard size but looked to be built stronger-
I let my dogs out on the back porch, and they started to bark like they do when they want to be let in. So i let them in and about 5 minutes later my dog barked at the slider door. So i went to look and i thought I saw a dog sitting on the hill, but as I looked it wasnt really a normal looking dog, and then another ran up from the bottom of the hill. Thats when I knew that they were'nt dogs at all. The first thing that came to my mind was a cougar or mountain lion I wasnt sure which one it was, but I know it was one of the two."

SaveTheCougar.Org has requested additional evidence-
To read more why this sighting is so interesting to us click here.

Bath, MI 2002 Cougar Sighting
Reported Sun 2/25/2007 1:44 PM to www.SaveTheCougar.Org
" Date was 6/29/2002. I could not believe what I was seeing. But, I did vividly recall what I saw and subsequently confirmed to my own satisfaction that it had to be a cougar. Internet research I did at the time convinced me that it was definitely within the realm of the possible. I was driving south on Peacock Rd just north of Stoll Rd. I saw a large cat, unspotted, tawny color, with a long rope-like upcurving tail cross Peacock Rd. from east to west about 150 ft. south of Stoll rd. The cat paused briefly near the west edge of the road. I got a good look at its silhouette. I am convinced that it was a cougar. This animal was not a fox (I've seen many of them so I know what they look like). Nor was it a dog, coyote, etc. It definitely had a cat head, not a dog head."
SaveTheCougar.Org has requested additional evidence, join here to recieve updates.

Four Michigan cougar sightings in a lifetime-
Reported Fri 2/23/2007 11:19 PM www.savethecougar.org
"I have seen several Big Cats myself.

1st. 1969 saw 2 Black cats chasing deer with my mother in Stugis, MI. Mid day (This is not something you forget)

2nd. 1999 saw 1 Black cat White Pigeon, MI - My sister worked in Middlebury Indiana (next town south) and saw Large Black Cat in same area a few months later on way home from work - Mid day

3rd. 2006 Tracks from 2 cats (1 larger than other) on orv trail in Baldwin, MI

4th. 2006 Tracks from 1 cat behind house across field Mendon, MI"
-Michael from Mendon, MI.
SaveTheCougar.Org has requested additional evidence, join here to recieve updates.

Ida, MI - Cougar on front porch.
Reported Thu 2/22/2007 6:42 PM to www.SaveTheCougar.Org
"Time of Observation: 9:15 PM
Weather Conditions: cold but clear
Description of cougar color: gray
Track Measurement: w=about 3", l=3" or so

"We live in a log cabin on 10 acres, 5 of which are farmed, 1 acre is a wildlife refuge. I pulled into my driveway and was surprised to see a large critter sitting in front of my door on my porch. As soon as the cat saw me, he (or she) took off running. It appeared to be looking for something in our firewood stack when I rudely interrupted it.
-L.P."
Read more about other dark colored, large cat sightings in Michigan.

Cougar sighted by outdoorsman near Kalamazoo-
Reported Thu 2/15/2007 6:05 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"I WAS WALKING MY DOG IN SOME DENSE WOODS. MY DOG IS A TERRIER MIX THAT TEARS THROUGH THOSE WOODS. I WAS CALLING FOR HER TO COME BACK TO ME WHEN I SAW ABOUT 30 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME A LARGE CAT, ALMOST THE COLOR OF A FOX. I'M AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN AND READ ABOUT WILDLIFE ANY CHANE I GET AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THIS WAS A FOX. A FOX WOULDN'T SCARE ME TO SEE. THIS ANIMAL HAD MY HEART POUNDING WITH FEAR. I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING. WHAT SURPRISED ME WAS HOW SCARED THIS LARGE ANIMAL SEEMED TO BE OF ME. IT DARTED AWAY INTO A OPENING IN THE WOODS QUITE QUICKLY. I STILL WALK THESE SAME WOODS, BUT WITH A LOT MORE CAUTION THAN EVER BEFORE. I DON'T WALK BACK THERE WITH MY DOG ANYMORE. WHEN I TAKE MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR 2 YEAR OLD SON ON WALKS BACK THERE I PICK THEM UP NOW AND CARRY THEM. HAVEN'T SEEN THE ANIMAL IN ABOUT A YEAR, BUT AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING." -Mike from Kalamazoo.

Albion Michigan- Cougar Sighting
Reported Sun 1/28/2007 5:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
"Was turning from gravel portion of Comdon onto paved Ludlow, no more than 5-8 mph when the cougar walked out of the yard/wooded area east of the road going west into a large wooded area. I stopped immediately and just watched him/her? walk across the road and into the woods. The persons who own that Western property came down to my home later indicating that "large" foot prints were found in the sand near their pony enclosure. I did not see or measure the prints. There is no doubt in my mind that it was a cougar."

*Report specifies that this was not a mere Golden Retriever size lion, rather this was a 5.5 ft body length without tail, LARGE CAT.
**Property owner also reports sighs of a Cougar kill from ten years ago in the same area.

Mason County, near Pentwater- Cougar Sighting
Reported Thu 1/25/2007 2:27 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" Description of Cougar: Color: Sand, similar to the color of a deer
Size: Aprrox. 90 lbs. About the size of a Golden Retriever. Tail: Long. Tail was full height of body and then curved and was parallel to the ground for a few inches. Without the curve, it would drag on the ground.
We were driving on the exit ramp slowly. We were coming to a slight bend in the road as we saw something on the shoulder. Its head was bent toward the road, we thought it was a deer eating. As we moved closer, the headlights hit the animal. It's head lifted and we saw that it was a cougar. It paused, momentarily blinded by the headlights, before turning and running into the woods behind the Pentwater Convenience Center. As it turned, we observed it's long, thich tail. Truly a beautiful animal. We did not see any type of animal on the side of the road, we assume it was licking salt as mountain lions have been known to do."

Kalamazoo County, near Paw-Paw- Cougar Sighting
Reported Mon 1/22/2007 11:14 AM to www.savethecougar.org
" Driving in snowy/night conditions. We were traveling up Almena Dr. on curvy portion of road. When we approached animal, it was head down eating animal. When we came closer, it lifted it's head and looked at us face on and ran away."

Another Oakland County, Michigan- I-75 Cougar Sighting
Reported Thu 1/18/2007 1:04 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" 7:00 am and was at the #99 mile marker heading north bound in oakland county at around 7:30 am. moving slow with traffic...when i spotted up ahead what i thought was a dog or coyote trying to cross the inter-state. it was about ten feet off the road. when it was my turn to pass i was startled to see a catlike face. at first i thought it was a bobcat. to be honest i'm not sure it wasn't...but after thinking about it, i think it was too big to be one. after getting back to work today i was amazed to find out that other people have been seeing things like this. i wish i had time to have taken a picture."

Oakland County, I-75 Roadside Cougar Sighting
Reported Wed 1/3/2007 6:01 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" There is no doubt in my mind this was some type of cougar or related species. The cat was walking through the weeds towards my car as I was headed North on 75. I slowed down when I saw it because I was afraid I would hit it and it just kept walking ~ sleethering like a cat through the brush. I had a clear view of it's face and body."

Fife Lake, Michigan - Roadside Cougar Sighting
Reported Tue 1/2/2007 2:20 PM to www.savethecougar.org
" I was driving on M-113 and saw the cougar running from the woods (at first I thought it was a small deer) towards the road. She then bounded across the highway in front of my car and continued to the field on the other side of the highway. She was absolutely beautiful. I was in awe and completely entranced by her beauty and grace. I feel very fortunate to have seen a Michigan cougar and hope to see one again someday. It was a 40 second period of time that I will never forget!"

Please enter your information below to receive our newsletter Email Address: * BOLD fields are REQUIRED.

click here to

Report all cougar sightings, evidence, reports and rumors regarding cougars in michigan.