In 2011, there were verified sightings of a large black cat in Montgomery County near Dayton. Later that day a craigslist poster reported seeing a large brown looking bobcat wearing a collar near hills and dales in canton.. Instead, stand and face the animal. More than half of those were fawns. I hope they repopulate in ohio I am one for hunting them it's a blast and not as easy as one would think. Mountain lions are found mostly in the western states but there is a known population in Florida. It's an amazing contrast between the folks who are hoping for a return of the mountain lion and those who are screaming about coyotes! Mountain Lions in Ohio in the 21st Century! Numerous people contacted police to report the escaped big cat, which is considered a prohibited dangerous species in Ohio. Genevieve: Photo of a mountain lion taken by a game camera. Mountain lion reports not new in Ohio, but verified sightings are rare. My BIL finally caught a bobcat on his game cam about 8-9 miles north of Marietta. After an unfortunate past of over hunting, Montana's mountain lion population has made a comeback. I'm hoping it's a lost pet and they stay out West! With all the deer here and no apex predators I'm suprised we don't see them more. ASMR Walking TIM Talks Cooking 708 views 1 year. Home Ohio Opinion Mountain lion sighting hits a bit too close to home, Madison Gov. They might pick off the occasional fawn. There was another post on a St. Clairsville site of a mountain lion supposedly eating a rotisserie chicken, but that picture was taken in the western part of the United States.. Police said Wednesday night they received information. If that is true, it may already be far away. BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) Pictures posted on Facebook recently showed mountain lions and claimed the pictures were taken in Belmont County. HA! A wildlife officer spotted this animal and took an amazing photograph before the cat disappeared into the treeline. Feral or wild pigs have also gone wild in Ohio. LCRT confirmed using photos and other sign. Seeing a mountain lion in Indiana is unlikely; bobcats and domestic cats are often misidentified and reported as mountain lions. While the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department hesitates to give solid numbers because they feel methods for tracking the population need to be improved, their estimate in 2019 was about 4,000 - 4,500 mountain lions. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. She'd been found with a sibling alone when their mother. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. Possible mountain lion, Lynx spotting in a residential area of Southern Ohio. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Police Chief. I believe the DNR said it was a pet that got away. Nancy Gaarder. HA! He says they have short stumpy tails, tufted facial hair and pointed ears. By . We dont believe its a hoax, but right now none of our officers are seeing what (callers) are seeing, he said. Stark County sheriffs deputies joined the search after sightings came in from outside the city, and an Ohio State Highway Patrol plane was employed, Kurzinsky said. The post contained the alleged owner's cellphone number for people to call if they spotted the cat. Read The Cougar Conundrum by Mark Elbroch if you would like to get educated on how overhunting actually increases cougar attacks on people and the best thing we can do is to leave them alone. PUBLISHED: June 3, 2021 at 10:42 p.m. | UPDATED: June 4, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. MILLBRAE - A mountain lion was spotted walking down a street in Millbrae early Wednesday morning, authorities said. The prospect of mountain lions alarms many citizens; however, the likelihood of encountering a mountain lion in Indiana is remote. Pumas are equipped to take out the biggest whitetail! Any mountain lion killed should be immediately reported to a DNR wildlife biologist or Central Dispatch of Indiana DNR Law Enforcement. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Pretty kool. Accessibility Accommodation. A forum community dedicated to Ohios fishers and enthusiasts. 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The park remains closed due to an uptick. According to the article they were first sighted again in the early 90's. December 22, 2021: Reynolds: Male mountain lion killed in a vehicle collision. November 6, 2021 12:23 pm ET. Wouldn't surprise me that there are several mountain lions in Ohio. Mountain Lion size and description: Head and body: 42 to 52 inches, tail 30 to 36 inches, height at shoulder 26 to 31 inches. Indiana DNR can confirm reports that include a clear picture of a mountain lion in a verifiable location; a picture or plaster cast of mountain lion tracks with measurements; or other evidence of specific mountain lion behavior. He further told police this is all a hoax; he believes someone hacked into his Facebook account and posted the information. Thanks for sharing the picture. People call in if they see a big house cat or a dog thats a similar color to a mountain lion, she said. Dec 22, 2021 Updated Jan 28, 2023. If you have any additional information to make police aware of, please call the department at 330-832-1553. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are tawny colored, stand 2 to 2.5 feet tall at the shoulder, weigh 110 to 180 pounds, and have a thick tail 2 to 2.5 feet long, according to a Defenders of Wildlife fact sheet. Do not approach a mountain lion. Not conclusive in any way and suggested they were made by a large dog, the paw prints are telling and huge. // February 16, 2021 Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare but in such cases the animals usually are killed if they are caught. Mountain Lions are not known to have a thriving population in Ohio. Animals found outside of their Western range are usually young, transient males. However, most sightings prove to be a species other than a mountain lion, are inconclusive, or are part of an internet hoax. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Currently with the help of Patricia, Kristen, Amanda, Kelly, Molly, Megan, and other wonderful past writers, we share ideas, recipes, local events and experiences with products to our community. The animal was . State wildlife officials are investigating the shooting death of a mountain lion known as Scar, one of less than two dozen adult mountain lions in the Santa Ana Mountains and part of a. The mountain lion ( Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount, and panther. The latter maintain that 'yotes are wiping out the deer herd! If you think you have an unusual sighting to report, please contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife; a sighting may be confirmed with a quality . What appeared to be a lion was seen at 6 p.m. July 29 near Fernwood State Forest, not far from Steubenville. Got this strange pic a while back. This is an old pic from this summer. This young female mountain lion was released in the Santa Ana Mountains in June 2021 after a four-month stay with a wildlife center. On average, a mountain lion killed one deer a week. Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. They seemed to indicate that the animal is moving east, toward the town of Louisville. Ohio deer hunters harvest state's ninth most whitetails since 1900 Jeff Frischkorn February 10, 2023 Someone sent a blurry photo to the Stark County Sheriff's Office, but it wasn't much help, Graham said. They also can own a dangerous species if they meet one of 10 exemptions. Investigatorslocated the person said to be looking for the lostanimaland learned he doesn't even own one. We are glad you have chosen to leave a comment. Ohios first feral pigs were seen in Vinton County in the 1980s. He lives in Ravenna, Ohio and enjoys spending time at his Carroll County cabin. To make a complaint about a prohibited dangerous exotic animal in Ohio, call 614-728-6220 or email dwa.cdb@agri.ohio.gov. So Tom DeVaul tracked down the people who posted the pictures. Featuring Specialty Antique Auctions, Stores and Shows, Hundreds of Classifieds, Autos & Real Estate Listings. Mike Tontimonia has been writing weekly columns and magazine features about the outdoors for over 25 years, a career that continues to hold the same excitement for him as it did at the beginning. A recent rumor of a cougar killed by a vehicle on Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State. adroll_language = "en_US"; Mountain lion sighting hits a bit too close to home, Wisconsin Stewardship changes, trout stamp increase eyed in Gov. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He told police he doesnt even live in the Stark County area. a graphic depiction of America's mountain lion history. The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount, and panther. I completely understand that bobcats, while not an everyday sight, are much more "common," but seriously, a bobcat? According to Ohio wildlife officials, a mountain lion was sighted recently near Wintersville in Jefferson County, Ohio. I was driving south on rt 8 by hines hills by cosco seen a young looked to be a mountain lion this is the boston heights area I found some other sightings in that area by someone that said they seen one at rt 303 and rt 8 this was only aprox 1 mile north of that sighting ( keep an eye on your pets ) this appeared to be 70-80 lbs. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are tawny colored, stand 2 to 2.5 feet tall at the shoulder, weigh 110 to 180 pounds, and have a thick tail 2 to 2.5 feet long, according to aDefenders of Wildlife fact sheet. Everyone freaks out at mtn lions I shot one in montana and the guid said the only time to fear them is if they have baby's. Author spends her winters near Las Vegas, mountains. His readers have often commented that the stories about his adventures are about as close to being there as possible. That person told them he has never kept large cats and doesnt have one that is missing. This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Now that the West Virginia Campus Carry Bill has, Basketball tourism hits Wheeling with the MEC tournament, Is there a doctor in the house? My husband heard it just nights before. UMI's Muscle on the Mountain is UMIMP's first Muscle exclusive event. That doesn't appear to be the case with this incident, but it has been with others. David Kurzinsky said. Evinrude58. Mountain lions are also called cougars, pumas, panthers, painters and catamounts. I have seen a big cat in Vandalia ohio twice in the last 2 or 3 months. In the same area in early 2016, we have an unverified trail cam video showing a curious creature walking through the woods.. Clays Park Sand, 2015 On about April Fools Day, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources investigated a suspicious set set of paw prints spanning 5-6.5 in size each. Get 4 Weeks of Farm and Dairy Home DeliveredSign Up for your FREE Trial. Biologists suggest that if the lion is a wild animal it likely is a young male moving through the area. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A mountain lion thought to be M220 is seen in a tree in Montana in December 2021. He said they are much smaller than a mountain lion. Brian Wilson pops a wheelie in front of the closed entrance to Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park on Monday, February 8, 2021 near where he spotted a mountain lion recently. Give it a way to escape. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. Central Dispatch of Indiana DNR Law Enforcement. But mountain lions are considered extinct in the eastern United States. Feral hogs are those released or escaped from hunting preserves and farms. JACKON TOWNSHIP, Ohio The Jackson Township Police Department in Stark County confirmed that a social media post warning about a bobcat or mountain lion at large Wednesday was a hoax, according to the Jackson Township Police Department. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. No mountain lions or feral hogs yet! So Tom DeVaul tracked down the people who posted the pictures. Donate to WVU Medicine Childrens Transport Team, Southwestern Energy employees spent the day helping YWCA Wheeling get ready for multi-million dollar renovations, Jurassic-era insect found near Arkansas Walmart, House Democrats gather to chart path toward 2024 majority with wins from last Congress. Uh huh My friend works for Norfolk Southern and saw a mountain lion up by Toledo a few weeks ago. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, no person may keep a dangerous species as a pet unless that person owned the animal prior to the law going into effect in 2018. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Police say reports of an escaped mountain lion in the area are a hoax. The mountain lion has many common names including cougar, puma, catamount, panther, and ghost cat. Its possible someone dumped an unwanted captive mountain lion in the preserve, Graham said. The commander of Belmont County's Dangerous Wild Animal Response Team thought it was extremely unlikely that anyone's trail camera was capturing images of real mountain lions in this area. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Sign up for our Ohio Specific Newsletter- Each Email Focused on Only our best Fabulous Local News and Ideas! DeVaul says its not unusual to see bobcats in Belmont County. When the big cat didn't move, he told his friend standing next to him to get . Read an article a few years ago talking about how bobcats were making a comeback after supposedly being eradicated from Ohio in the 30's. If an encounter does happen, follow this advice from authorities in Western states: The mountain lion in Indiana is protected as an exotic mammal. The original post claimed a man's mountain lion had escaped in the area of Hills & Dales, and that the animal wouldn't bite. There are countless, unverified (unphotographed, etc..) sightings of big cats- often described as mountain lions across the state from Canton to Zanesville to Dayton. adroll_adv_id = "T6XR4YM2C5FGXNZIDZPFXI"; November 1, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. . Sun 29 Aug 2021 02.18 EDT Last modified on Fri 29 Oct 2021 07.33 EDT. Heres what proof we can find: Verified Sighting Summer 2014 A western Mountain Lion was absolutely identified in Shawnee State Park (South Central Ohio, Near the Ohio River/Kentucky). The Cougar is commonly known as the mountain lion and is absolutely native to the Americas. signs campus carry bill into law, 50+ animals including snakes, foxes removed from, Medic bags distributed to West Virginias EMS workforce, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. In past years, mountain lion sightings have been reported by the public in several eastern Ohio areas but for the most part they have gone unsubstantiated but this time an ODNR wildlife official was the observer, adding a degree of certainty to the event. Lion numbers are increasing rapidly in places like California and Washington where short sighted emotional voters have passed laws to restrict the hunting of the big predators. Specialization is for insects!". Clarence Williams was in the shed and didn't see the animal, but he called Fowler Police, who warned residents to use extreme caution. Im so excited. Iowa deer hunters found a dead mountain lion with a broken snare around its neck Tuesday in Poweshiek County . The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Wild pigs represent a growing threat not only to Ohio but across the nation. 2/18/2021 - OHIO - Jackson Township Police Department says all information related to an alleged escaped pet cougar also called a mountain lion or puma is based on social media and they haven't had any credible reports related to the animal. But he said bobcats are a different story. Since 2008, the number of confirmed sightings of mountain lions in Michigan climbs to 74 after this most recent incident report, including 10 confirmed in the Upper Peninsula in 2021. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The same is true even in Western states with breeding populations because these are reclusive animals. Someone sent a blurry photo to the Stark County Sheriffs Office, but it wasnt much help, Graham said. This includes three from Dickinson County, two from Marquette County and one each from Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Luce, and Schoolcraft counties. NOTE: Use of optics (binoculars or scopes) can magnify an animal's size. But proof is hard to come by. Those exemptions include being an accredited zoo or sanctuary, a research facility, or possessing an Ohio Department of Natural Resources permit. At this time, officials are looking at game farms and individuals who have been known to keep mountain lions. If you have information on the alleged escaped animal, contact the Jackson Township Police Department at 330-832-1553. Contact our office for specific districts to apply for. Mike is also very involved in his community as a school board member and a Rotarian. They didnt find anything. Not sure what use the term Short sighted emotional voters played in this article. Below is a list of physical characteristics that distinguish mountain lions from more common species. Photo from National Park Service. He does not own a big cat and doesn't even live in Stark County. Adults typically weigh 90-160 pounds with a robust tail that can be one-third as long as the cat's body. This may be the result of an increase in mountain lion numbers in Western states. Accessibility Do all you can to appear larger. Aug 30, 2021 Updated 13 min ago Stock photo of a mountain lion. I didnt post the plethora of escaped big cat reports since the cougar has not been captured on film. Fight back if attacked using big sticks, stones or any other available items. Adults are a uniform tan or tawny in color, with a white or cream-colored chin, undersides and inner legs. Our knowledge of mountain lions in Geauga County is that they were extirpated from the State of Ohio in the 19th century, and there have been no confirmed sightings of them since. You might be surprised to learn this, but there is an active bobcat population in Ohio! Its nothing to be too terribly scared about except to keep your children indoors and dont leave your pets unattended, she said. Required fields are marked *. Receive emails as this discussion progresses. JavaScript is disabled. Settings, Start voice (Obtained by The Washington Post) It's a beautiful day in Ohio! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 66% of kills among collared mountain lions were mule deer. Be sure to factor in the size of items or vegetation near the animal you observed to help estimate the observed animals' size. They have spread to most southeastern counties. It's a mountain lion no doubt. Kurzinsky urged members of the public to be cautious and call 911 immediately if they see the big cat. Mike is a retired educator, a licensed auctioneer and marketing consultant. . adroll_pix_id = "UONCO23J7FHDDMDTKEX733"; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All the information about the complaint was social media-based and the department had not received any phone calls confirming sightings of a large animal, the release stated. Unverified Sightings of large black cats have even arisen in Portage County in 2016. Bath Parks posted this picture of a bobcat spotted in December 2020. See CNN affiliate WJW-TVs coverage of the hunt. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 96: December 7, 2021: Ste. Having problems watching FOX 8 on antenna? Make eye contact. JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) Residents in Jackson Township will be relieved to hear there is not a mountain lion on the loose there. Copyright 2023 State of Indiana - All rights reserved. Now that the West Virginia Campus Carry Bill has been signed into law, what comes next? They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s. This animal, if in fact its an escapee, doesnt behave like a wild mountain lion, she said. Mountain lion and bear sightings shake up Angeles National Forest foothill communities By Javier Rojas | jrojas@scng.com and Steve Scauzillo | sscauzillo@scng.com | PUBLISHED: November 12,. Ohio deer hunters stand the best chance of seeing feral hogs and may kill them if possible. The Twitter user tweeted in surprise that they learned a bobcat and mountain lion are the same creature, which prompted several follow-up clarifications that the animals are, in fact, different . Do not run from a mountain lion. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. The hunters at that time had thought there were more. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The situation is not as dangerous as it may seem, Graham said. Mountain Lions in Arizona Arizona GameAndFish 130K views 10 years ago Walking Tour of Yellow Springs. Mountain lion killed by vehicle in Washington County. Theres no characteristics that lead me to believe its a mountain lion, she said. Although mountain lions are uncommon, they are not considered an endangered species in Ohio, she said. Moreover, it is eight feet long and three feet tall. There are reports of sightings off Akron Peninsula Rd and Steels Corner Road recently as well.