are there mountain lions in the poconos are there mountain lions in the poconos

The name Pocono is derived from the . Archived Questions of the Month Me? I regularly ask hunters and outdoors people if they've ever seen a mountain lion, or know of anyone that has. As they get older, the cubs begin to leave the den and explore. Reports of a mountain lion have come from several residents of Hemlock Farms who were hiking on. They've been extinct in the eastern part of North America for more than a century. The reintroduction of mountain lions into South Dakota is one of the great wins of modern conservation. Only when I reviewed the images on my laptop did I discover that I had a mountain lion! Although a large proportion of the Lenape Nation was dispersed far from their ancestral homelands in the 18th century, colonial settlers and their descendants struggled to live in this region with wolves and cougars inhabiting the forests. How, Who, and Why? "People think they can get them declawed and that they're safe, but they still have teeth.". The bones were found perfectly preserved. Remember, this one was photographed in Arizona in good puma country, although this was the first one I've recorded there. Here, they've not been," Lau said in an e-mail. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. They are generally believed to be young cats roaming in search of new breeding territories to claim as their own. The rounded ears, Imagination? He wrote that not being a roving animal, the mountain lion was much sooner destroyed than the wolf, and he said that if there were any left, it would have to be in the most desolate places in the county. On the second night, a mountain lion passed by, apparently drawn by the smell but put off by the stench, as the cat did not visit the kill. I've know of reports since 1973, in Cooke Forest, the heart of a lot of Pa. wilderness. Illinois can also now be added to this list a mountain lion was found on the outskirts of Chicago. Although unconfirmed, mountain lions continue to be reported in many spots across Pennsylvania, including several reports in the past couple months. Every year we receive a few similar reports from hikers, hunters or other outdoor enthusiasts. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. "They are very strong animals," she said. He saw a big cat. Over time, cats that had been released in Florida, probably pets that outlived their welcome, bred with the native puma, and their genes mingled. A brief look, yes, but no question we saw a coyote. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is always open to review evidence, but to date only hoaxes have crossed the PGC. Where they always here as a relic population? Of course, the writer's comments were hearsay, but it does make sense. There are also big swaths of thick of forests in parts of the state. However, if it doesn't exist, and if someone saw one, wouldn't there be a worry that it was a dangerous escapee? Here's an example: A man is holding a dead eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which was found in North Carolina and measured more than 9 feet long and weighed 95 pounds. Now, if there were any escapes, and if any of these bred with a possible minuscule number of eastern pumas, a relic native population, wouldn't the gene pool be corrupted? I've spoken to PGC personnel, two being friends, and neither believe there are pumas in Pa. One cited how a bobcat's tail can be much longer than you expect, although I've never seen a bobcat tail longer than, at most, twice the size of the tails illustrated above of the bobcat. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. People can manipulate, enhance or combine photos and then create their own stories about the subject's origin, location and even identification. The State cites that there are no road-kills, and in a heavily trafficed state like Pennsylvania there should be kills. Despite reported sightings throughout the East, including Pennsylvania, and a confirmed mountain lion killed in Connecticut in 2011, there has been no evidence that any of those cats were native to the East. He notes how over the millennia, the region was inhabited by humans, only to be depopulated by migration brought on by the search of food due to a fickle climate, war or epidemic. Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? And yes, there are people in Pennsylvania who say they exist here. Periodically, via Google searches, I receive reports from people who believe they had seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania, or in other mid-Atlantic states. Well, right behind our property lies a mountain ridge, one of several that makes a continuous forest that extends, with little interruption, for scores of miles in three directions. Mountain lions have killed humans in the wild, though sightings and encounters are rare even in the American West and Canada. Bobcats, feral cats and domestic dogs may be misidentified as mountain lion. There are approximately 4,000 of those 10- to 40-pound cats in the state. Oregon has a large, stable breeding population of mountain lions. Those cats for which DNA evidence was recovered had come east from South Dakota, part of the known, modern-day, U.S. mountain lion range. There isnt an official estimate on mountain lions in the state. Still, people say they know what they saw out there. This is only hearsay, however, since I'm only going on their stories. It was estimated to be a young adult American Mastodon that had died about 12,000 years ago, according to radiocarbon dating. Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? Depends on who you talk to, I guess. You've got a mountain lion story or photo? In his 1973 book "Faces in Clay" Leslie lays open the archaeological treasures of stone arrow or spear points and tools lost long ago by a succession of native peoples. However, my friend and I discussed this, and agreed, we saw what we saw, and had it been 40 years ago or four months ago, we knew we saw a coyote. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. "While it seems unlikely, it's not impossible that these animals are showing up in PA," said David Foster, a biology professor at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg. Would a puma then qualify as a native species? In personal contacts, that monthly average might even be higher. ? Michelle LaRue, executive director of the Cougar Network and a research ecologist at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the eastern expansion of cougars from their core range in the western U.S. at 7 p.m. in Moravian College's Haupert Union Building, Bethlehem. In Yellowstone, definite puma country (perhaps not ideal habitat, but pumas are found in every section of Yellowstone), I've spoken to guys on road crews and with rangers, each with 20 years of field or road experience in Yellowstone, and the ranger had only seen 2 (both road kills and together) and the road crew guys two or three in all their years. Would these ridges be declared off-limits for hunting? The other three images are from my file, selected to most closely approximate the pose of the cat from the game camera. Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. What you wouldn't expect to find here anymore is a mountain lion. Scientists debate whether the large prehistoric mammals became extinct at the end of the Ice Age due to over-hunting, or rapid climate warming. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! Mountain lions that are looking for new breeding areas are known as transient and are almost always males. In some areas, entire populations of a species exhibit this trait, for unlike albinism, which results in a conspicuous white color and light-sensitive pink eyes, there are no ill effects with melanism. Interestingly, almost all of the people I've spoken to who claim to have seen a puma have not seen a bobcat, an animal that is common enough in Pennsylvania to support a legal trapping season! What is the Kiboko backpack? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. "I'm proud to know her," Murray said of the tiger, "but I wish I didn't.". Where they always here as a relic population? Biologists who investigate these reports claim that several may, indeed, be mountain lions, but most likely they're animals that have escaped from captivity or have been released by their owners. The State argues that there is no physical evidence, and no credible photographs. More common critters co-existed with early Native Americans in the Poconos, including two species long since removed: the wolf and mountain lion (also known colloquially as panthers and cougars). The other two clans were the Turtle and Turkey. These color morphs are most common in rain forests and jungles. That's true. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Colorado is the perfect habitat for mountain lions. Why do I advocate manual exposure so avidly? Mountain lion populations struggle to outpace the high hunting limits. In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. On the other hand, there are probably thousands of game cameras covering water holes and game trails throughout Pennsylvania, and to my knowledge no one has yet recorded a puma. Are the various States guilty of essentially the same thing? So how or why could there be a conspiracy? Now, forty years ago coyotes were rare or almost nonexistent in Pennsylvania, and had had that same sighting back then, when coyotes were thought not to exist within the state we would have had the 'facts' to doubt what we saw. The Pocono Mountains are . Mountain lions weigh 90-160 pounds, while bobcats weigh 20-30 pounds. No projectile points or spearheads were found with the remains, indicating the animal may have died naturally rather than killed by native hunters. It was decided that this shouldn't influence the decision and, in fact, an infusion of new genes produces a hybrid vigor, lessening the chance of in-breeding. The large, undeveloped interior filled with rocky habitats perfect for mountain lions allows them to safely live and breed. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax, More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. He saw his cat at very close range -- 20 yards or less, and when I pointed out to him that pumas are never black he said that perhaps it was the light. Something to consider, even though we all trust the government. At one time mountain lions, or more properly puma (Puma concolor), enjoyed the widest geographic range of any New World mammal, and were found throughout all of the contiguous United States. She feeds and cares for them with donations and grants. The 'look' is from my Although in captivity, they can live much longer. Viewers can never be certain that what they're seeing on a computer is actually what it's purported to be. Editor's note: The Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent have collaborated for a series of stories called Mountain Beasts: Pocono cryptids, legends and lore. The story behind our new web site. A second image of the same cat, in a different light, reveals the trademark spots of a bobcat. Let's say the facts indicate that there have been a lot of 'pet' pumas, and many of these escaped. Still, these resilient animals reside in secluded areas across the United States, with current data suggesting they may even be returning to their historical regions! "It was in Worthington State Forest just across the Delaware River from Smithfield Beach). Biologists traced it back to the Black Hills of South Dakota, from where it ventured nearly 2,000 miles looking for a new mate. They ponder rare fossil evidence unearthed and seek to make sense of stratified geology, both fleeting in the face of what we call progress. You be the judge. A dark brown puma, backlighted by a strong sun, could appear all black, or very dark, and he accepted that. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Two other reports went, in detail, on what they saw, the size, the length of tail, etc. Hunting is legal, but the use of dogs was banned in 1996. By the time he returned the vehicle was gone, and so was the cat, and no mention was ever made of this road kill in a radio or newspaper report. The Golden State has one of the largest populations of mountain lions in the country. It was recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then died in Connecticut in 2011. I receive about one email or phone call a month, on average, from people that I do not know who are contacting me because their sighting compelled them to do a Google search on puma sightings, and they found my site and previously posted questions. The record size for this species is 8 feet, and it probably weighed 15 to 20 pounds, which shows how exaggerated this claim is. Mountain lions are well-established in 14 western states and have also recently been confirmed in 10 Midwestern states: Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. And how many would let them go, or provide an opportunity for escaping? Good luck, and let me know! 1.8 miles, 2 hours, moderate. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. Mountain Lions do remain in the western states and there is evidence that in 2011, a mountain lion migrated about 1,500 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut where it was killed by a. I believe them. When he told me this, he commented on how an experience like the one he and his friends had just is not forgotten. DNA collected from the mountain lion killed on a roadway in Connecticut in 2011 showed the animal to have originated in South Dakota. There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. Find cabins in the Poconos, PA near places like Bushkill Falls, Camelback Mountain Resort, and more. The claim of mountain lions on the move was bolstered in 2009 when one was killed by a car in Greenwich, Conn. Encouraged by the bounties, settlers waged war on these perceived beasts. Activities Milford Things To Do Hotels Map Of Activities Delaware Water Gap Hotels Bushkill Lake Harmony Hawley Skytop Tannersville Pocono Mountains Counties About the Poconos Pocono Mountains History Weather Area Services . I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I've seen about 10 black bears in Pennsylvania, and all within ten miles of my home. They regularly join the camp of those angrily claiming the commission has introduced the big cats back into Pennsylvania as a control measure against the state's huge deer population. Although there was no evidence that the 2011 mountain lion ever set foot in Pennsylvania, DNA evidence confirmed that it had been both west and east of the state. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. Many have a desire to see some clear-cut evidence. It also mentioned that someone raising a mountain lion without a license may either have let it go when it became too large to handle, or that the animal had escaped. I've seen hoaxes, of pumas carrying deer shot with game cameras, but these were of western cats. However, if you've seen a mountain lion, or other mystery creature, or evidence of either, in Pennsylvania, contact outdoor writer Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com.). There is a small breeding population in the state, despite being killed off in the 1920s. My friend was a former hunter and fisherman, and spent a lot of time in the woods, as did I, but neither of us had ever seen a coyote. Fish and Wildlife Service. Outdoor adventures abound, and so do our fabulous shopping and restaurants. Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? Can so many people be so wrong? The skeleton was reassembled at the State Museum, where it has been on display ever since. The last of three glaciations covered 30% of Pennsylvania, including much of the Poconos, from around 20,000-10,000 B.C. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). That summer, a team from the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg excavated the nearly complete skeleton of the ancient elephant, the first of its kind found in the Commonwealth. An assessment list for Lower Smithfield Township in 1761 when it was part of Northampton County (Monroe having not yet been created) taxed "three pence per pound and shillings per head" laid on the land and inhabitants. Note the size of the tail, the pointed ears, the speckled coat, the basic lack of white underneath. "From people that I trust have had visual sightings, they've seen mountain lions.". I'm wondering, then, if the complete dismissal of sightings of Eastern pumas (other than the acknowledgement of released or escaped pets) isn't motivated by economics. This happens usually around the 18-month mark. Those special two were across a river just outside Glacier National Park in Montana, and consisted of a mother and two cubs (Mary saw both cubs, I only saw one, and we did so separately, as we were driving two vehicles). Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. Adults are a uniform tan or tawny in color, with a white or cream-colored chin, undersides and inner legs. Murray also has a cross-eyed white tiger named Keisha, who crushed chicken bones with ease but delicately stepped into a metal pool to cool off. They mostly live in the far western Trans-Pecos region of the state, with about 50,000 to 80,000 acres of suitable land currently being used by the cat. Let me know if you have seen one! I am hoping that more and more people will learn of my own interest in this, and will pass on this information and that I'll receive more reports and, hopefully, sometime, a game camera photo that is definitive. "Likewise, I'm not aware of any escapes from captive facilities in my time here. Today, we are going to explore the 15 US states that have mountain lions, plus a few others that may have some. Recently, on a back road in Pennsylvania, a friend and I had our first sighting of a coyote in Pennsylvania. Leslie estimated that the first humans making up the Paleo-Indians lived in the upper Delaware valley as early as 11,000 B.C. I usually follow-up on these reports and, via email or phone conversations, I receive more details. Those cats for which DNA evidence was recovered had come east from South Dakota, part of the known, modern-day, U.S. mountain lion range. But the point of this article isn't whether or not mountain lions exist in Pennsylvania or the Poconos. a high priority. "Given the period of time that has passed without verification of even a single eastern puma, the service concludes that the last remaining members of this subspecies perished decades ago," the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a Federal Register notice. "If my son would have been on a pedal bike, without a helmet on, that thing would have nailed him," said Walters, 44. Had this been faked, I'd suspect the hoaxter would try for a more authentic background. The State Museum of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, displays a taxidermy mount of a mountain lion in glass case, with the notation, "This lion, found near Hawk Mountain in Berks County around 1871, is the last native mountain lion known to have been shot in Pennsylvania. So what? I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? I have three observations here: 1. with a fluted projectile point were found near Middletown, Orange County, New York. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, there are no wild, breeding cougar populations in this state anymore. Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park in Lake Ariel has two. If you see a puma (mountain lion-cougar), contact me. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. One might argue that the eastern puma is extinct, but that does not mean that there are not pumas (mountain lions, cougars) in the east. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. Is it the New Best Pack? In 2016, a trail cam photo in South Jersey was later determined to show a house cat. A neighbor scared the animal away before it could finish its meal; the sheeps carcass was used as bait, to catch the big cat. Many people have claimed to see them, and this writer chronicled numerous such reports in the local press from the mid-1990s to the 2010s. In captivity mountain, lions can live to be about 20 years old. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. And a bit of an unpleasant one at that, as they now faced ridicule or doubt whenever they discussed their sightings. Why is bat photography so difficult? 2023 www.poconorecord.com. Mountain lions (cougars, pumas, and more) are among the top predators that live in the United States. Now consider: If it was confirmed that there was a breeding population of endangered pumas on the mountain ridge behind my house, if the USFWS recognized the existence of this endangered species, what might happen? None of these sightings has been authenticated, and many of them, including a recent, alleged mountain lion picked up on a surveillance camera in Lackawanna County, turned out to be bobcats. Like Arizona, New Mexico is the perfect home for mountain lions. It's 90-something degrees, but Rocky's stare feels like ice down your pants. These cubs are born blind and helpless. One of the three branches or clans of the Lenape Tribe at the end of the 17th century was known as the Wolf (Minsi). It's sort of like big foot, some people say they've seen him.". There had been 17 other mastodon finds in Pennsylvania up to 1968, but all were fragmentary. I don't know if a Game Commission authority has actually said this or not, but people I've spoken to have reported this. For information on predator tracks, check out this guide: https://www.wildliferemoval.com/animal-track-identification-guide/, Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. It seems unlikely, considering captives have never shown this trait, but people are reporting big black cats. I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one. Local outlets carried reports of cougar encounters at least into the 1910s. What do I think of the Canon 1D Mark IV? Although size can be difficult to determine in the field, a puma will be three or four times larger than a bobcat. Mountain Lion in Pocono's Pennsylvania Kacie PA 7.9K views 2 years ago Mountain lion in bucks county pa or not? About six months ago I posted the question, Are there Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? What does a Mountain Lion look like on a game camera? Who knows? Known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, there are four trails that lead to the cascades from the Bushkill Falls trailhead, each ranging in . This animal was undoubtedly a bobcat. By the mid-1900s pumas were eliminated from almost all of the eastern states, and by mid-century were officially extinct east of the Mississippi, except for a remnant population in southern Florida. Conversely, an outdoor writer I know told me that when Pa. enacted a menagerie permit law years ago, 'a lot of mountain lions suddenly died,' as the owners of these cats, rather than going through the paperwork, simply released their pumas and claimed that they had died.