Oakland County, Michigan- Subdivision warn residents of cougars in area.
Reported Tue 11/18/2008 3:30 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 28, 2008
Time: 4:00 AM
County: Oakland
Location Description: Pioneer Meadows Subdivision, 11 Mile & Beck Rd., Novi, Michigan
Sighting Description:
Our Association News Letter stated: "Residents BEWARE!!! There have been several cougar sightings at the south end of the subdivision. Once two weeks ago and again October 28, 2008".

Washtenaw County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 11/17/2008 4:52 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-17-08
Time: 4:45 AM
County: Washtenaw
Location Description: I was northbound on US 23 at the 33 mile mark just south of US 12.
Sighting Description:
I was driving north on 23 when I saw what at first I saw what I thought was a deer. As I approached I realized it was a cougar. It was just off the road, and it never moved as I went by. I am 100% certain it was a cougar as I got a good look at it. I would guess it was about 100 lbs. Pretty cat, and pretty cool to see.

Oakland County, Michigan- large black feline sighted.
Reported Mon 11/17/2008 12:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11-16-2008
Time: 2:30 PM
County: Oakland
Location Description: I was at my cousins double wide trailer that is off a dirt road way out in the country in a trailer park in Milford, Michigan. Her trailer has woods behind it. The trailer is on N. Sheeran Rd. in the trailer park. I do not want to give our her exact address over the internet.
Sighting Description:
Last Sunday (yesterday) I was looking out my cousins trailers rear patio doorwall when I saw a very large black cat walking in the woods going from my left to my right. It was way too big to be a big fat kitty cat. More like the size of a German Shepard dog. It was solid black with no other markings. The tail was a couple of feet long and skinny for its length. The cat had short fur. I thought it was a black panther or something like that. It stayed in my clear few for about 30 seconds but not long enough for my cousin to hustle to the window and see it herself. I called the Milford Police Department and reported the sighting this morning. The guys at work told me I needed to call it in when I told them about it this Monday morning.

Washtenaw County, Michigan- large black feline sighted.
Reported Thu 11/13/2008 8:54 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/13/08
Time: 4:15 PM
County: Washtenaw
Location Description: North of ellsworth east of Parker
Sighting Description:
I was deer hunting in a tree stand and observed a large black cat walking at the edge of a high grass field between two patches of woods. I seen a doe and two yearlings in the same spot about 1 hour later and in comparison the cat was way too big to be a house cat.

Muskegon County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 11/11/2008 2:03 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/10/2008
Time: 4:30 PM
County: Muskegon
Location Description: 1 Mile East of US-31 and Fruitvale Rd
Sighting Description:
While sitting in my tree stand I heard deer blowing behind me. After a few minutes I heard the faintest sound below me and as I looked down I noticed what appeared to be a tiger at the base of my tree.( I say tiger because I have never seen a cat of this size in the woods) I quickly stood up and grabbed my bow. At that moment it saw my movement and looked directly at me in my tree. We were face to face at 18'! After a few seconds it walked about 10 feet away and stood on a down tree and looked at me again. Then slowly it continued on in the woods stopping every 20 feet or so to take another look at me in my tree stand. I estimated the cat to be around 100-120 pounds, long tail and tan in color and it definately showed no signs of being scared of humans as many other animals that I have encountered in the woods. I still am in awe of what I have seen. What a hunt!

Muskegon County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 11/10/2008 11:45 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/10/2008
Time: 5pm
County: Muskegon
Location Description: S. Russell Rd. and Giles Rd.
Sighting Description:
Spotted cougar like animal crossing the street chasing a small animal. It was crossing the road and came from the thicket by Stafford Towing. I almost hit it while it was running across the road.

Jackson County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Sat 11/8/2008 10:51 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: november 5 2008
Time: 10 am
County: Jackson
Location Description: In a farm field on on the north side of m60 about two miles west of Spring Arbor
Sighting Description:
I saw the cougar with his/her head down eating something in the field. The color was like a light buff colored great dane. The long, fluffy, cougar tail was un mistakeable.

Ontonagon County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 11/7/2008 3:12 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 09/2000
Time: AM aprox 10:00
County: Ontonagon
Location Description: I was walking near the Firesteel River in Greenland Township.
Sighting Description:
I was checking on a bear bait that I had put out .While walking along a creek I walked up on a Cougar while it was eating on a fresh button buck kill.I watched it for about 10 minutes before it smelled/sensed me and took off.I stayed put till dark hoping it would come back.I was laughed at for years when I told folks what I seen.

Leelanau County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 11/7/2008 3:12 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/29/08
Time: 9:30 am
County: Leelanau
Location Description: 200yards north of rangers booth at d.h.day camp grounds, in sleeping bear dunes
Sighting Description:
I was sitting in a tree stand 20' off the ground hunting deer. I was overlooking a small clearing when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. It entered broad side to me, about 15yards away. Walked about 10 to 15 feet, turned tail to me walked about10 feet turned broad side countiued walking another 30' into the woods out of sight. My first observations were that it had alot of clearance between it,s chest and the ground, that it,s ears were not pointy, that it,s tail was long hung almost to the ground then curled back up about half the length that it hung down, it was kind of yellowish/brown, but the fur was slightly shaggy, not smooth and flat as Iv'e seen on tv. Also this cat did not seem as big as the big cats on tv. My assumption was that it must have been a younger puma, but still alot bigger than a house cat.

Muskegon County, Michigan- cougar photographed.
Reported Thu 11/6/2008 8:42 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/19 08
Time: 11:32 am
County: Muskegon
Location Description: Ravenna township....
Sighting Description:
I have a pic...it was taken from a trail cam.....
See the photos and discussion here

Allegan County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 11/5/2008 12:03 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 11/5/2008
Time: 10:30 AM
County: Allegan
Location Description: My backyard, which has a small pine "forest" on one side and in the back and is surrounded by fields. . This is Gun Plain Township, about 3 1/2 miles north east of Plainwell.
Sighting Description:
Earlier this morning I was in the yard with 3 dogs and they acted spooked and wanted to go back inside. About 20 min. later one of the dogs was by the window and started barking and jumping at the window. I looked out and there was a large (approx. 100lbs) cat with a long tail standing just inside the tree line, looking at the house. Before I could get a picture, it went back into the wooded area

Kalamazoo County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Tue 11/4/2008 8:13 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 09/20/2008
Time: Around 5:00pm
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: Field and Treeline on East side of Gull Lake at the boundry of Gull Lake Farms
Sighting Description:
In the late afternoon, while sitting on our porch, we are on a slight hill and facing an open tree farm. We heard our normal Deer running through the woods, when my wife said hey, look that little deer is being chased by a large Cat, and when I looked sure enough, it was a medium sized cougar, about 90-100 lbs, it ran after the deer through the edge of our property, towards the east in a heading that put it towards a small 12 acre lake behind the tree farm we face, since then we have heard large cat noises in the eveings that would make you cringe. Needless to say, my wife hates letting our animals out after nightfall because of this event. We both saw it toghether, the DNR did not care, so we will just have to sit back and see who gets the first kill, being a car hit or protection shot.

Genessee County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 11/3/2008 2:22 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 29,2008
Time: 1:00pm
County: Genesee
Location Description: In Flushing Township,in back of a restaurant that is on Mt.Morris Rd.near McKinley Rd.
Sighting Description:
My sister and I were sitting in the parking lot of the restaurant waiting for another family member to arrive.As we were talking I saw what I thought was a black dog crossing the field behind the restaurant.It was the size of a full grown black lab.It's tail was curled up.I noticed that it's head was down and the hair on its neck was standing up.I never said anything to my sister as I thought it was a dog.Anyway,it ran towards us and then I could see it was a very large black cat,I saw it's bright green eyes and tubular long tail.I grabbed my sister's arm and said "Oh my god,it's a panther".She said "Where".At that instant it turned and ran into some trees.She didn't get to see it,our other party had arrived and she had been looking at them.I called the police dept.and they said they hadn't heard of any sightings.There are lot's of woods around this area and it is fairly rural.I wish I hadn't seen it as it has plagued my dreams.

Sanilac County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/29/2008 12:18 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10.28.08
Time: 6.30 pm
County: Sanilac
Location Description: Mills road and M-25 in the crick flats
Sighting Description:
Last night I had a very large cat run in front of my in the crick flats. The cat looked just like your pics.

Allegan County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Sun 10/26/2008 4:44 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-26-08
Time: 7:15 am
County: Allegan
Location Description: Along the edge of a newly cut cornfield and my sister's yard, on the very northwest corner of our property, just at the outskirts of the village of Hopkins.
Sighting Description:
I live on a dead end street on the edge of town, where I am within the village limits, but out back are fields and the country. I was on my back porch having coffee, which I do every morning. . . . I saw the cougar. It was just getting light out. The corn behind our houses had just been cut last weekend and I could see the silouhette of a very large cat (4 ft?), long and low, slinking to the west at the edge of the corn field and our yards. It had a long (3ft?) and furry tail. My dog continued to bark at it from a distance of maybe 25 feet. It continued on it's slow slinky walk to the west. My brother-in-law and I went out when it was full light to see if we could see any tracks but none were visible.. .

Iosco County, Michigan- possible cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 10/24/2008 9:43 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/15/08
Time: 2pm
Where did the observation occur?
County: Iosco
Location Description: grass lake orv trail
Sighting Description:
while squirrel hunting walking the road 3 deer were running and crossed the trail 20 feet from me. a minute later an animal was standing on the trail facing me. it bound back once and and jumped into the woods. looked like a big cat with a long tail black on the end. prints the size of a large dog bigger than a 70 lb lab. not 100% sure

Otsego County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Thu 10/23/2008 10:13 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/14/2008
Time: 10:30am and 6:30pm
County: Otesgo
Location Description: Rural county road. Wooded area however cat was sighted on the open road.
Sighting Description:
At 10:30 am on 10/14/08 my wife and I saw a young adult cougar nearly get hit by two trucks. The lucky cat sneaked between the two stoped vehicles and continued north toward opal lake. We stopped and looked but could not see the cougar again because the ferns and weeds were still too high. That evening my wife saw what we assume to be the same animal in the same location. The time was roughly 6:25 p.m. The next morning we stoped at the sight exited our vehicle and looked for tracks or other signs of the animal. We saw drag marks of what had been a road killed deer. As we entered the woods going north we nearly walked on a doe skeleton which was licked clean of all flesh. The sternum for the deer was gone and the ribs bitten into but still mostly intact. The deer remains were not scattered about as one would see if coyotes has been there. We have lived within two miles of that site for over thirty years. We have seen many bear, bobcat and coyotes over the years but until now have never seen a cougar.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/22/2008 7:13 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/17/08
Time: 11:10 am
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: Edge of a wooded area between a bean field and tall weeds around 27th Street and T Ave.
Sighting Description:
I was chatting on the phone with a friend when I looked out my sliding glass door towards the backyard and across the bean field (approx 50 to 60 yards). I couldn't believe my eyes. There was a cougar at the edge of the field. It must have weighed over 80 or 90 pounds, tan in color and what caught my eye the most was it's long tail. It stood there for a couple of seconds, then turned and disappeared into the tall weeds. I had seen deer and pheasants in that area many times, but never anything like this.

Oakland County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/22/2008 8:42 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Oct. 21, 2008
Time: 7:15 p.m.
County: Oakland
Location Description: Rural, farms and woods on both sides of the road. Undeveloped Novi/Northville area.
Sighting Description:
We were at a safe distance behind the only other car on the road when the driver suddenly breaked. A large, black cat of some kind came out of the woods on our left and sped across the road in front of the other car. We both stopped to watch it disappear on the other side. We were close enough to see its size and all-black color, but the speed at which it ran made further identification difficult. Afterward, we discussed what kind of an animal it could have been. By eliminating everything that would be too small or too slow, all we could think of was a panther. We likened its speed to cheetahs and other large cats we saw in game preserves while residing in South Africa several years ago.

Manistee County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 10/20/2008 4:16 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/17/08
Time: 8:30pm
County: Manistee
Location Description: High Bridge Road south of the Manistee River
Sighting Description:
I was driving north on High Bridge about a mile south of the river following a car about 200 yards back. The cougar was crouched down in the weeds in the ditch and stood up as I was passing. I had a perfect view of its face and muscular build as it turned back as if if was going to jump back into the woods. The cat looked to be well over 100 pounds. I've seen my share of bobcats, this definately was not a bobcat plus I doubt you could even see one standing in the dried up ferns as tall as they are. 2 deer crossed the road not to far away. I had my camper with me so slowing down and turning around for another look wasn't a very speedy task.

Macomb County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Sun 10/19/2008 10:00 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-07-08
Time: 11p.m.
County: Macomb
Location Description: 15 mile road east of Schoenherr (where Red Run Drain crosses 15 mile road)
Sighting Description:
Coming home from work just before 11p.m riding my motorcycle traffic slowed on 15 Mile Road just before Schoenherr. To my amazement I saw a large cat (approximately 100 lbs 5 ft. long)slink down and dart across 5 lanes of traffic. Having seen coyotes in the woods, I assure you this was no coyote. In the late 90's a liger was spotted near the Red Run Drain close to my subdivision. This could be the same cat. I know cougars are deer hunters and deer are plentiful in the Red Run and near Freedom Hill Park.

Otsego County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Sat 10/18/2008 10:42 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-18-2008
Time: 3:30 pm
County: Otsego
Location Description: 6 miles north of Waters, 2 miles off old 27. Michaywe drive, south side of road behind house
Sighting Description:
While doing dishes seen very large cat with long tail, walking on boarder of back yard and wooded area behind house. Didn't realize there where cougars in the area.

St. Joseph County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/15/2008 8:28 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/10/08
Time: 11:40 PM
County: ST JOSEPH
Location Description: SEEN MORE THAN ONCE IN OUR FRONT AND BACK YARD
Sighting Description:
COUGAR WAS RUNNING ACCROSS THE FRONT YARD. OUR NEIGHBOR NEARLY HIT IT WITH HIS TRUCK AS IT CROSSED THE ROAD. I SAW IT RUNNING FROM FRONT TO BACK YARD. WE SAW ITS TRACKS IN THE SNOW LAST WINTER IN OUR BACK YARD. ALSO SAW A TRACK ALONG THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AS IT ENTERED OUR YARD.

Kent County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Mon 10/13/2008 9:31 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 10, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
County: Kent
Location Description: In a small clearing in our back yard. Area has many mature trees and brush. There are several lakes nearby.
Sighting Description:
I was in the back yard, probably 100 yards from the clearning and calling for our yellow labrador retriever. As I watched for her to come out of the brush into the clearing (it is her favorite spot), I saw a large cat, probably 3/4 the size of my lab, trot out of the bushes and cross the clearing. It was tan in color, small head, and a tail that was tubular and I would estimate 3 feet long and 3-4 inches in diameter. Tail was straight out behind the cat as it ran. I would estimate I had a 2-3 second look at the cat. My lab was 6 feet behind, chasing the cat and I was able to call her off the trail (not unusal for her).

Shiawassee County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Sun 10/12/2008 11:31 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/28/07
Time: 6:15 am
County: Shiawassee
Location Description: A wooded area between Hopins lake and Baker College.
Sighting Description:
I was staying with my mother-in-law when she had come home with a broken hip. She lives on the back side of a high rise with alot of wooded land behide her. It was about 6:00 am and I had went out side to have a cig. on her patio. About 5min after i stated seting out there a large black cat came out of the woods and started a cross an open area . It was about 10 to 12 feet long from head to end of tail. It walked croutched down like it was hunting. I watched it for about 3 to 4 mins before it slipped back into a wooded area. I could not leave my mother - in - law alone so when help came I walked over to the area and found three tracks that was about the size of my fist. I called the D.N.R. to report it and was more or less laughted at. And was told that someone would call ,but was never contacted. I lived in Florida for 10 years and have seen cougars in the wild there. This cat was not quite as big as those. But was not a house cat.

Oakland County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 10/10/2008 9:25 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/11/2008
Time: 7:00
County: Oakland
Location Description: saw a very large cat with a long tail it was not somthing i ever saw but only in a zoo maybe.. i was at my sons school catholic central waiting in a parking lot i was the only one there and out of the woods it came walking in and out of a row of pine trees. and walked back in the woods . i was speechless. now i know for sure it was a cougar!! after seeing these pictures. This cougar was seen at catholic central in wixom.

Washtenaw County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 10/10/2008 4:09 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 9, 2008
Time: 7:35pm
County: Washtenaw
Location Description: Westbound US-12, 1/4 mile before Pierce Road ramp onto I-94, right outside of Chelsea
Sighting Description:
Large buff colored feline jumped in front of my vehicle. Since it was dusk, my first assumption was that it was a deer - it was a dark tan/buff color and the size of a small deer. However, I quickly realized it was a cat by the way it moved and long cat-like tail.

Cass County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 10/10/2008 3:28 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/09/08
Time: 6:30 p.m.
County: Cass
Description: I was deer hunting on my fathers property when I saw a few deer running through the woods about 50 yards in front of me. One of them appeared to be running back and forth in and out of a thicker area of the woods. The doe popped out of the thicket and headed towards my stand then back into the woods. I turned to look at the thicket to see if maybe a buck was chasing the doe and about 40 yards out was what I can only describe as a darker brown (then the deer)large cat moving through the woods following the deers path unlike any animal I've ever seen move through the woods, fast and quiet. If I hadn't seen the animal I would have missed it. Location was between Decatur + Dowagiac MI.

Livingston County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Fri 10/10/2008 11:05 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: January 2008
Time: 4 pm
County: Livingston
Location Description: Sounds strange but I almost hit it in dense traffic on west bound 96 at the 23 crossing.
Sighting Description:
Broadside in front of me about 20 feet away. I had to swerve with other traffic to avoid hitting it.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan- cougar sighted.
Reported Thu 10/9/2008 10:03 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-9-2008
Time: 12:20 pm
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: Climax Michigan, crossing Mercury Drive just North of 46th Street.
Sighting Description:
I was driving North on Mercury Dr., it was a bright sunny afternoon. I saw a large animal bounding from East to West from a farm. I started slowing down. I knew it was a wild animal, wasn't sure what it was. It stopped in the middle of the road, and I had to brake my vehicle hard to not hit it. I crept up on it within 30 feet. I watched it for a few moments, and realized it was a huge young cat, then I realized it was a cougar. My co worker who is a rural carrier had called me 3 weeks ago to tell me she had seen an animal in the same area. She didnt know what it was, because it was crossing the road in the shadow of trees. She described it as having a really long tail. After seeing the one on Mercury Drive we figured it may be the same animal. This is less than a mile from my home, so I will be on the lookout for this cougar in the future.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan- large feline sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 8:37 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Wednesday October 9,2008
Time: around 7:45 pm
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: Within the city of Kalamazoo in the area between Westnedge and Whites Road in a residential area- school nearby
Sighting Description:
I am not really sure what I saw tonight. I opened the back door of the building where I work and saw an animal running across the parking lot, jump a fence and then disappear into the dark cover of some trees and brush. I only saw the cat-like movement and back legs, back paws and long tail as it leapt easily over a four foot fence. On Sept 5th a cougar was spotted in the Five Senses Garden of the Kennedy School. This location is only a mile or two from where I was tonight. This may not even be of interest to post on the website, but with the 9/5 sighting......... who knows what I saw.

2007 Van Buren County, Michigan- cougar kittens sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 7:15 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Sept. 24 2008
Time: 10:am
County: Van Buren
Location Description: At the back of our property on a logging road.
Sighting Description:
I was walking our Beagle Dog on a leash, when I rounded a bend on the logging trail, about 15 feet in front of me I seen the two kittens. They were about 3 feet in length, mostly tales. No mistake they were Cougar kittens. I'm sure the Mother was near in the brush, but did not see her. They slipped off the road into the brush. The dog was jumping up and down to go chase them. I had all I could do to hold her. I had no camera to get a picture, may not have time if I had of had one. My husband John, seen the big Cougar in April this year in a field next to the house so we knew they were around. He has hunted deer for fifty plus years, knows what a cougar looks like, he still couldn't believe his eyes any more that I could. But when you see one you know it, no doubts.

2007 Cheboygan County Michigan cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 6:56 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: May 2007
Time: 11:00 am
County: Cheboygan
Location Description: Paved road near the Cheboygan County / Presque Isle County Line
Sighting Description:
I saw a Cougar for the first time in my life (I'm 45) in 2007 in Cheboygan County right at the Presque Isle County line, it's an area that I've always seen lots of deer. I slowed my vehicle as I saw an animal ahead on the side of the road, which at first from a long distance looked like a deer. As I approched closer the animal crouched low to the ground as if it was trying to hide but it was in plain site on the shoulder. I pulled almost right up to it and stopped as it bolted across the road and leaped the ditch into a swamp. The long tail was very distintive as was the coloring and the ears, no doubt it was a Cougar as the animal was in the wide open only about 20 ft. away when I stopped. It was a muscular animal that seemed very long as it crouched by the road with it's tail slightly curled up. I guess that I just wanted to tell someone about it. I had a camera in the car but it was behind the seat in my day bag and the animal didn't stick around when I stopped. Regards, C.M.

2007 Wayne County Michigan cougar sighting.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 5:37 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Sept.
Time: 2007
County: Wayne
Location Description: Trenton michigan, on the side of Vreeland road between Fort and Jefferson
Sighting Description:
it was mid afternoon on a sunny day and a large black cat ran out of the woods and almost paced my truck (45 mph) for maybe 5 seconds and then went back into the woods. These woods are behind an old steel plant on jefferson and there isnt much if not any human activity back there. People say im crazy, but i know what i seen.

Jackson County Michigan cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 5:37 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 2005
Time: approx. 9am
County: Crawford
Location Description: heading south on 75 about 2 miles south of 1st Grayling exit...cougar was dead on shoulder and visible to two of us at least a hundred feet before we passed...no doubt about what we saw...would have stopped if not for appointment.
Sighting Description:
appeared to be mature...very large...long tail...tawny colored...probably passed with-in 6 feet of the animal...slowed down to get good look because in was obvious from a distance that this was not a deer.

Crawford County Michigan roadkill cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 5:14 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: October 2005
Time: approx. 9am
County: Crawford
Location Description: heading south on 75 about 2 miles south of 1st Grayling exit...cougar was dead on shoulder and visible to two of us at least a hundred feet before we passed...no doubt about what we saw...would have stopped if not for appointment.
Sighting Description:
appeared to be mature...very large...long tail...tawny colored...probably passed with-in 6 feet of the animal...slowed down to get good look because in was obvious from a distance that this was not a deer.

1986 Eaton County Michigan, Large Black Cat observed.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 12:34 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 1986
Time: 1730 hrs.
County: Eaton
Location Description: small rural subdivision, with a large woods behind the area where this animal was seen.
Sighting Description:
I am a retired police officer, but was actively working at the time of this sighting. My wife and daughter observed the cat going into a large pile of field grass in a vacant lot behind our house. My wife asked how long a cat's tail was and at first I thought she was kidding. When I asked her why, she said that she and my daughter were watching a very large cat with a tail that was 3ft. long. Knowing that deputies shot at what was described as a large black panther earlier in the month at the Capitol City airport, I went out to immediately see what they were watching. I worked at the Lansing Zoo one year and was familiar with large cats. Out of the brush pile came a very large all black cat that I would describe as a panther. Cars were driving by this animal, not noticing him, or her. I called the township and a deputy came out along with a fire truck and it was totally dismissed. I also contacted the DNR and they refused to come out. I was concerned about children, or pets in the area that might be attacked. The animal had a tail that was at least 3 ft. long, large body, muscular frame with a cougar shaped head. He slowly began bounding toward the wooded area and disappeared into the woods. The DNR official that was contacted said that he doubted that it was a panther, but it may have been an all black cougar. Nothing ever came of it, other than ridicule for my family. I would estimate the cat weighed at least 130-150 pounds. I'm not quite sure of the year now, as it has been quite a while, but I want to say it was 1985. It made the paper locally. Also State Troopers shot at a similarly reported cat in Livingston County shortly after our sighting and that cat killed a horse. Dangerous at the very least.

Cheboygan County Michigan cougar sighted.
Reported Wed 10/8/2008 11:35 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Oct. 3 2008
Time: 10:30 am
County: Cheboygan
Location Description: Black River Rd., between Twin School Rd. and Purdy Rd. swampy area.
Sighting Description:
I was driving north on black river rd. going to the u.a.w. training center when a cougar jumped up the embancment onto the shoulder from the west , stopped, looked at my car then turned around and trotted back down the embancment and hopped through the swamp going west.

Saint Clair County Michigan, Large Black Cat observed.
Reported Tue 10/7/2008 6:25 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10-3-2008
Time: 11:30 pm
County: St. Clair County
Location Description: West on I69 just past Wadhams rd near the back of the mobile home park.
Sighting Description:
I was driving home from work at around 11:30 pm.I was driving west on I 69 just past Wadhams rd and I seen a very large jet black cat run in front of my car, I have a little ford escort and this cat was almost as long as the front of my car. The tail was as big around as a pop can and VERY, VERY long,its fur was really shiney and jet black.It did not run like a deer or a dog it ran like a cat and very fast, I was going 70 MPH and it ran right in front of me. It came out from the middle of the highway and ran north by the pond behind the mobile home park.This was nothing else but a black cougar or panther.

Oakland County Michigan felid sounds.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 9:14 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Late Spring 2008
Time: 1:00 AM
County: Oakland
Location Description: Not a sighting, but a "hearing" in my backyard, coming from the Clinton River watershed at Livernois and Square Lake Rd. in Troy MI.
Sighting Description:
For the last couple years in late Spring while sitting in the back yard I have heard Cougar sounds coming from the small Creek (Clinton River watershed) down the way. I never could figure out what the racket was as it was a sound like no other. I then went on a cougar site that plays their "sounds" after reading about cougars on this site. Sure enough, thats what it was!

Oakland County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 8:12 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: Jan 2008
Time: 3:15 a.m.
County: Oakland
Description:
I was returning home just after 3 a.m. from work from Whitmore Lake, near Brighton. At that time, I lived in Detroit. I drive this way home 3 nights per week at about the same time. I had just crossd under the I-275 going east just past the intersection on 696 in Farmington Hills. The area is well lit by tall light poles in that area. I often see many deer crossing in front of me in that area. On this particular night, the eye reflection of an a large animal caught my attention off to the right, about 100 feet off the expressway. It was clearly a large cat, light in color and aproximately 6 feet long, perhaps 3 feet tall. It was standing in a small clearing and I could clearly see it was a large cat. I did not stop nor did I report this sighting until now when I learned of this web site from an article in the Detroit Free Press today. I am very sure what I saw, no doubt in my mind. I am used to seeing deer crossing freeways in this area so I always watch off-road when passing this area, about a 3 mile stretch.

Manistee County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 6:31 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 5/10/08
Time: 7AM
County: Manistee
Location Description: Half way between Manistee and Welston on M-55
Sighting Description:
I was on my way to a meeting in Cadillac driving my Dodge Caravan when I pulled off on the shoulder because the side door wasn't closed tight. I got out, walked around the back of the van to close the door. When I walked back and got back in the drivers seat I looked over to my right and about ten feet in front of the van right at the edge of the woods. I saw a very large cat with a long tail ( about 3ft) with a turkey I would estimate to be about 18 pounds in it's mouth. I starred at this cat for a good 5min before I drove away. The cat just stood there the whole time with that turkey in it's mouth. It was tan with some gray around the face and ears. I've seen live cougars before elsewhere and this was a cougar.

Missaukee County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 12:52 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: July 12, 2008
Time: 4:00 PM
County: Missaukee
Location Description: The cat was walking on an ORV trail near Moorestown, MI.
Sighting Description:
I was riding my motorcycle on the ORV trail in a wooded area, which was logged several years ago. While on a straight stretch, I saw the cat trotting down the trail ahead of me (facing away from me) and stayed on the trail until I was within about 40 feet of it. It then leaped off the trail into the brush. I know it was definitely a cat. It appeared to be the size of a 50-60 pound dog. It was mottled brown in color with a long, thick, tail. I have seen both lynx and bobcats, and this cat was neither of those.

9-2007 Luce County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 12:42 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9-30-07
Time: 7-8pm
County: Luce
Location Description: On Highway 28 east of Newberry Michigan
Sighting Description:
My husband and I were vacationing. We are from Fenton MI. We were staying in St Ignace and decided to drive west in the early evening. We had no specific plans. We ended up north of Newberry and I received a voicemail but couldn't get it because we were roaming. We headed toward Newberry and at dusk on Highway 28 we saw what looked like a huge sandy colored cat standing over something on the side of the road. It had a large round head. It could have weighed 150lbs easily. We were driving on a donut and were really glad we didn't need to change a tire at that time. The phone call turned out to be my 12 yr old daughter at home who had broken her arm and I have saved that call on my phone so I know the exact time all of this happened.

Chippewa County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 12:00 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: May 2003
Time: approx 11:30am
County: Chippewa
Location Description: M-123 South approaching Trout Lake. Unpopulated area
Sighting Description:
I was headed south on M-123 after turning off of M-28 east, when off in the distance, a black panther ran west-to-east in front of my car. I couldn't tell you the distance but it was merely seconds (doing 65mph)that I came upon the spot where it ran across 123. I got out an looked around but saw nothing. This was no feral cat, Bobcat or dog. The tail was too long and it bounded across the road in two strides to be anything but a black panther. I noticed someone else reported seeing a panther in the same general area that summer that year. Same cat perhaps?

Mackinac County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 11:44 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/04/08
Time: 6:10pm
County: Mackinac
Location Description: Traveling southbound on I75 around 15 miles north of St. Ignace. The cougar was on the eastside of the northbound lane.
Sighting Description:
Heading southbound on I75 and saw a cougar in an opening on the eastside of the northbound lane. It was very visible and unmistakingly a cougar. There were 4 veteran hunters/outdoorsmen in the truck. About 200 yards south of the sighting we observed 6 whitetail deer in the same area. We used a turn around on I75 to head back northbound to see if we could get another look, but the cougar was gone. We did observe also that the deer were gone and nowhere in sight. It's obvious that there was a predator in the area because whitetail don't just disappear from feeding for no reason and there was nothing to spook them other than the cougar.

Oakland County Michigan Black Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 10:49 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/16/08
Time: 10:30 pm
County: Oakland
Location Description: Adams Road between Clarkston and Orion Roads. Between a stable with 2 horses and a small subdivision
Sighting Description:
About 3 weeks ago while driving home in the dark I saw a large cat in my headlights. It must have just crossed the road because it was on the roads right side apron and was stepping into the brush. I spotted it about 50-60 yards away and got as close as 15 yards before I lost it because of the brush and aim of the headlights. I got a good look at it from the neck and shoulders to the tip of the tail. It was completely black, walking slow like it wasn't alarmed by my approaching car. The height of the back was approximately 2 feet. The distance between the front and back legs was also about 2 feet. The tail was about 3 feet shaped like a "J" on an angle with the tip up. I never saw the head. I'd guess the weight was 45-70 lbs. I was on northbound Adams between Orion Road and Clarkston. The cat was crossing from west to east. I see many deer in this area, there is also a small stable with a couple of horses about or less than 1/4 mile north of where I seen the cat cross.

Oceana County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 10/6/2008 9:34 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 10/03/2008
Time: 0830
County: Oceana
Location Description: Private land / Walkerville

Genesee County Michigan Large Black Feline Sighting.
Reported Thu 10/2/2008 5:26 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9-30-08
Time: morning
County: genesee
Location Description: Henderson rd.
Sighting Description:
Saw a large black animal of the side of road, Flat nose and long tail. Looked like a large cat. Definatly NOT a dog. Green eye shine.

Clinton County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Wed 9/24/2008 10:46 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/22/08
Time: early a.m.
County: Clinton
Location Description: Rural farm country, lots of sizeable woodlots, fencerows the deer travel, large deer population, pheasants, turkeys, squirrels, varmints. River and swampy areas nearby, plenty of cover. Brush piles we made for rabbits, salt everywhere that horses share with deer.
Sighting Description:
Distinct claw marks on a horse that was fine the day before when they were brought up from a back pasture. Not serious injuries, young, healthy, adult mare, I'm sure her instinctive reflexes are all that saved her from being shredded. Suspect early a.m. assault, broken skin just seeping sera, nothing bleeding, hadn't started to scab over yet. Took good pictures before she got washed and treated. DNR took a set, as his weren't going to turn out as well, with oily wound dressing on it, and dust sticking to fly spray. Lived out west a number of years, ID/CO/TX, not first experience with big cats. Sent an email to other horse owners I know, who sent it on to others, tremendous response, lot of people coming to look. Finding others I know who had incidents, have made reports and were made to feel foolish. To say nothing of having intelligence/logic insulted! Lot of hunters stopping in, who have seen tracks while scouting for deer, and are sure that they have seen a cat. Others have seen cats, and are very steady, reliable people, not given to hysterics or wild imagination either. Second and third shift workers, traveling late/early, have seen cats. Be happy to send pictures to anyone who would like to make their own evaluation. Would post them here, but don't know how! DNR relies on biologists from western states, and I suggested they really need to know how different an environment that is in the real mountain/desert areas. Cats in this area is not a new thing, been some time since I heard one scream. Neighbor described to me what he heard on Monday night late, was a big cat. Bobcats being a given, nothing screams like a big cat! Set the coyotes to yowling, and dogs barking and scrambling for a safe place. Even my two cattle dogs know to bark from near the house, not take on anything that big. With abundant food sources, plenty of cover, is no reason cats shouldn't be raising young successfully, and those cats have to go somewhere to establish territories. I'm having a hard time with a cat taking on a healthy, adult horse, as a rule they would go for colts, calves, sheep, much smaller things. And there are so many fat, corn and bean fed deer within 1/4 mile! Dr. Rusz suggests this is a learned behavior in big cats. Horses in open, fenced pastures have fewer escape options than deer do. The horse is healing nicely, marks still quite obvious, anyone is welcome to stop in and make their own assessment. I'm inclined to be a little generous with the DNR, many of them don't have a clue about horses, and apparently don't know a lot about big cats either! I didn't want to be completely rude, and suggest they watch more nature shows on TV!

Jackson County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Wed 10/1/2008 10:45 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 2006
County: Jackson
Location Description: A neighbor reported seeing a cougar in a field acrossed from our house (corner of Liberty Rd. & US-127).
Sighting Description:
At the time, I called the DNR but they referred me to someone who never called back. I hadn't thought about it since, thinking it must have been a mis-sighting of a dog or a deer. But when I saw this sight, I thought I'd share. I don't have any further details of the sighting.

Leelanau County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Wed 9/24/2008 10:46 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 09/24/08
Time: 3:00 pm
County: Leelanau
Location Description: M-22, just south of Suttons Bay
Sighting Description:
We were heading south on M-22 at about 3:00pm. My daughter and I saw a large cat cross the road. It was probably 100 yards away, so we didn't get a great look. We agreed that it was feline, and definitely not a fox, coyote, or a dog. There was another car in front of us. We wanted to pull them over to get their report.

Arenac County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 9/22/2008 9:56 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/19/2008
Time: 8:45-8:55 p.m.
County: Arenac
Location Description: U.S. 23 northbound (east direction at this point) 3/4 of a mile west of Swenson Rd. Just outsde of the city of Au Gres
Sighting Description:
"While driving on northbound US 23 (it heads in an easterly direction at this point), my girlfriend and I saw a big cat like animal race across the road in front of us. light in color, no doubt, the body of a big cat, the way it ran across the road, my first thought was "cheetah", its long strides, long body and tail. at this time of night, and on this stretch of road, it is fairly dark, but as my head lights hit it, the animal was light in color, this area is in the Au Sable State Forest, specifically an area called Duck Lake Swamp. It had crossed from left to right as we headed eastbound, it crossed in a matter of seconds and ran up a driveway."

Oscoda County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Mon 9/22/2008 7:44 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/19/08
Time: 10:30 am
County: Oscoda
Location Description: McCollum Lake State Forest Campground M-65 and McCollum Lake Road 8.5 miles NW of Curran Curran, MI 48728
Sighting Description:
"McCollums Lake Road heading west 2 miles before the lake. The animal stopped then began to cross the road about 60 feet ahead of us. Four to five foot long, more light, tan color fur with a darker tipped tail, defiantly had cat attributes. In 20 years of hunting in Michigan I have never seen anything like it!!"

Hillsdale County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Thu 9/18/2008 12:14 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/17/08
Time: 2:30 p.m
County: Hillsdale
Location Description: "I WAS HEADING EAST ON SQUAWFIELD RD IT WAS BETWEEN PITTSFORD RD AND GILBERT RD ABOUT 1/8OF A MILE BEFORE PITTSFORD RD"
Sighting Description:
"I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AROUND 2:30P.M. AS I WAS DRIVING I SEEN A LARGE ANIMAL RUN FROM NORTH SIDE OF ROAD FROM A FIELD ONCE IT WAS IN THE ROAD IT STOPPED THEN RAN SUPER FAST. IT WAS BROWN WITH A LONG TAIL ABOUT KNEE HIGH. THE WAY IT MOVED YOU COULD TELL IT WAS A CAT. IT HAD ALONG STRIDE AND SPEED."

Mackinac County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Sun 9/14/2008 8:15 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/13/08
Time: approx 1:30 am
County: Mackinac
Location Description: alongside highway
Sighting Description:
"We were driving back to the hotel from kewadin casino. We saw something like a large cat. We backed up to get a picture when we did it was still there but could not get the picture it slowly walked into some tall weeds and trees. myself, wife, nephew and neice all saw it. I did not think we would see something like that in michigan and very heard or see articles claiming the were rumors until I started looking at the internet.This is how I found this site. I type in the word mountian lion on google and it lead me to this site. This is when I was positive that it really was what I thought it was. This was an unbeleivable sight I ever had when it comes to nature."

Manistee County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Fri 9/12/2008 5:16 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/11/08
Time: about 11 AM
County: Manistee
Location Description: Just east of Marilla Rd. on Pole Rd. Brethren, MI Manistee County
Sighting Description:
"I'm a driver for DHL. I had a clear view of the Cougar cross the road about 150 feet in front of me. I was not driving fast as it was a gravel road through wooded area in the Manistee National Forest. The location was on Pole Rd just east of Marilla Rd. in Manistee County, the closest town would be Brethren. The approx. coordinates are: N44* 19.890', W85* 54.334' Tan colored cat with a long tail. I have seen Cougar before at Zoos, books, etc. I know what they look like. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=N44+19.890+W85+54.334"

Washtenaw County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Fri 9/12/2008 3:22 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/11/2008
Time: 12.30am
County: washtenaw
Location Description: parker rd.,about 3 miles south from scio church
Sighting Description:
"I was driving home from work after midnight and noticed an animal crossing in front of me.it stopped on the side of the road and walked slowly along.It was about the size of a large dog, dark brown or black coat, very sleek with a long curvy tail and by that and by the way it walked i was 100% sure it was some kind of a big cat."

Leelanau County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Thu 9/11/2008 4:15 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9/11/08
Time: 2;50 PM
County: Leelanau
Location Description: The cougar crossed M-72 from south to north approx 2 miles east of Empire.
Sighting Description:
"The cougar crossed about75 feet in front of our car. It was about 2 feet tall and 3 feet from head to tail, had a cat like head and the ears were not pointed. The color was a brindle color with some darker patches. The tail was long with no hair or fur except perhaps at the end."

Oakland County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Tue 9/9/2008 5:26 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 9-5-08
Time: 9:00 am
County: Oakland
Location Description: On Drahner Road, about 2 miles east of M-24
Sighting Description:
"We were driving in the car in a rural, wooded residential area. I saw an animal walking around the corner of a house. At first I thought "house cat". Then I realized it was way too big for a house cat (just a tad shorter than a labrador retriever). It had a tail almost as long as its body and turned to look at me... It was very muscular and stocky. Then it disappeared into the woods behind the house as we drove by."

Muskegon County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Sun 9/7/2008 1:16 PM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: 8/2/08
Time: 8 PM
County: MUSKEGON
Location Description: Tyler Road one mile west of Whitehall Road
Sighting Description:
"Cougar was seen walking on wooded path in back yard. I was walking behind my barn and saw the cat on the path walking toward me 50 ft away. We both stopped. The cat slowly walked into the woods. Cougar was about the size of my 50 lb dog. Cougar was orange/tan. I did not see the tail because it was walking in tall grass."

Kalamazoo County Michigan Cougar Sighting.
Reported Fri 9/5/2008 10:28 AM to www.savethecougar.org
Date of Observation: August 27, 2008
Time: between 10:00 and 11:00 am
County: Kalamazoo
Location Description: the alternative school, formerly the Kennedy School, just north of the School for the Blind on Oakland Drive, just south of wheaton intersection.
Sighting Description:
"We were at the five Senses garden and saw the cougar walking along the chain link fence at the north end of the schoolyard. It looked at us and then went under the fence into a wooded area."

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