As the title of the article suggests, there are some in South Dakota who may advocate for a full-length cougar hunting season in the future as it grows increasingly unlikely that the quota will be met before the March 31 closing date. The fact that the quota has not been met for the last few years (and looks unlikely to be met again this year), however, may suggest that the Black Hills population isn’t as robust as some say it is.

http://rapidcityjournal.com/blog/pierre-review/lion-kills-so-far-point-to-full-length-black-hills/article_fe2a9d90-bc33-11e4-89a9-fbdf3b11515a.html

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has verified that the above trail camera footage of what appears to be a cougar on a deer carcass is indeed authentic. The footage, taken earlier this winter in the eastern portion of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was captured on a hunter’s remote camera.

This is the 28th confirmed cougar “occurrence” in the Upper Peninsula. It adds to the growing pile of evidence that cougars are occasionally making their way into the Great Lakes region, likely from the Dakotas. If cougars are to recolonize the midwest and northeast, the Great Lakes region will be one of the primary arteries for their return.

Despite the increase in sightings in recent years, Michigan and Minnesota officials still maintain that there is no evidence of resident breeding populations, a belief shared by prominent biologists.

To read the full story from the Duluth News Tribune, click here.

(Video source: Michigan DNR/www.youtube.com)

The killing of two cougars last month near Victor, Idaho has created a lot of public interest in the issues of sport hunting and mountain lion management. Many people were concerned that the killings were illegal, and might have resulted in the orphaning of juvenile lions. While the cougars were in fact killed legally, the incident has shed light on the lives of mountain lions and the challenges they face.

We used this incident as an opportunity to educate people about cougar life history, ecology, social hierarchy, and how to safely live with these incredible animals. We thank Teton Valley News for seeking out the facts and taking the time to share the most important message: We can coexist.

Please read the full story at Teton Valley News:

http://www.tetonvalleynews.net/page2/victor-residents-ask-question-about-cougar-hunt-victor-residents-worried/article_7b51a07e-b6f4-11e4-a107-433a4c5691b4.html