Mountain lions/Cougars?

[MuskyBrian]

I was up near Ely last week, and while driving on the Fernberg Road I saw what looked to be a mountain lion dart across the road maybe about a 150 yards up. I talked to some people who claim they have heard stories of seeing them, but have any of you ever? And if so are they natural to this area or just moving in recently?

[kelly-p]

They have been seen around the URL area from time to time. It is my understanding that they will waunder over a quite large area rather then have a "home area".

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Waskish Minnow Station
218-647-8652

[Willowmaker]

Yes they use to have a population around. Not too many now. I know of a pair that have been living and reproducing in the Finland area for quite few years now. It is getting common to see them while out hunting.Scary at time too.I love to see these animals except when I am alone and unarmed.

[Fisher Dave]

We see tracks on a fairly regular basis in the Floodwood area while trail riding, and we also have seen the tracks in the Savanah State forest this summer. Years back (15 years) when I hunted near Northome (Orth) a cougar was video taped on the road exactly where I entered the woods to go to my tree stand (personal trail marker clearly on video).. I think theirs alot more of these things around than many of us think.

There are days when *in the woods* of my area I dont know weather to keep an eye on the ground more for moose (that supposedly arent here) or for cats in the trees. There are moose tracks everywhere around here (floodwood).

[Mayfly]

I hunt just north of Taylors Falls, the last two years I have seen unidentifiable cat like animals moving quit swiftly through the woods. Last year I saw one just before dark. At first I thought it was a deer but no way, wasn't a coyote either. Kinda raises a question and spooks me a bit too. Seen this two years in a row now by three people in my party. I wonder what the hell it is. the animal is very dark furred. One spotter said it was almost black. (and no it wasn't that Black Cougar that has been spotted in the near metro areas) At least it better not be...

[Guest]

In the Duluth area.....this year there have been several reports of cougars being seen. Around the Island Lake ****, on the south shore of Rice Lake, in town crossing Kenwood Ave. at Chester Bowl, and a friend of mine saw one in his back yard on Howard Gnesen Rd about 8 blocks up from St. Scholastica. He and his neighbor both have about 20 apple trees(combined)in their back yards...they have many deer hanging around. He says he is reluctant to allow his kids to play out back by themselves anymore. I wanna see one myself. MAYFLY, Might be a fisher you saw.

[Lunker]

Guy I know was bear hunting with his kid, had one walk through there bait stand(north of grand rapids.