Cougar-farthest north ever confirmed

[KCL]

A cougar was found yesterday hit by a car between Manning and High Level. It was found 10 miles north of Twin Lakes. Not sure if this is 100% accurate but apparently F&W told the guy that found it that this is the farthest north a cougar has been confirmed in Alberta, there of course has been reported sightings farther north but not confirmed. The cougar was an 153lb tom.

[Mayhem42]

i took pictures of one on the cutline behind machesis lake, I'll try to find them later. my brother seen one 10-15km south of footner in 2003, on may 25th, (day after my wedding) he hunts cougars on van isle and he is 100% on what he saw.

[Yéil]

Cougars have been moving into the Yukon for a few years now - they appear to be following the deer which are also moving into the area. Confirmation has been done in both the NWT and YT in 2007 and 2008. (the last one found in the YT was in 2000 near Watson Lake - young tom that had starved to death - assumed from lack of prey -deer and rabbit)

[riden]

There are all kinds here. There may not be many confirmed sighting because we only have 1 F&W officer. I was told one walked by my yard several years back.

Good friends of mine owned an old house on an incredible property, They were the last house before you went in to the Buffalo Head Hills, they had wildlife everywhere. I cut their grass for them one summer when they were gone. Every time I went there was fresh bear scat on the lawn. I always cut the grass with my rilfe loaded and easy access. I always figured critters may be bolder than normal with nobody living there.

They said they heard them howl/screetch regularly and saw lots of tracks around.

[KCL]

Originally Posted by Mayhem42

i took pictures of one on the cutline behind machesis lake, I'll try to find them later. my brother seen one 10-15km south of footner in 2003, on may 25th, (day after my wedding) he hunts cougars on van isle and he is 100% on what he saw.

I have no doubt

[sage 13]

Originally Posted by Yéil

Cougars have been moving into the Yukon for a few years now - they appear to be following the deer which are also moving into the area. Confirmation has been done in both the NWT and YT in 2007 and 2008. (the last one found in the YT was in 2000 near Watson Lake - young tom that had starved to death - assumed from lack of prey -deer and rabbit)

When working in the yukon in 82/83 my boss said he seen a cougar then, so its possible some have been there for awhile.

[Tundra Monkey]

We've had rumours floating around Yellowknife for the last decade or so.

They did manage to get pics of one near a ball diamond in a residential area here in Yellowknife a couple years ago.....so it's confirmed.

[Ryry4]

Cougars moving north, musk ox moving south. Very interesting.

[Arctic]

I've seen and photo'd cougars betweenn Enterprise, NWT and High Level since the 60's. May a dozen I've seen. About 10 years ago they were seen on the north side of the MacKenzie River, and within about 4 years, they made it to Yellowknife. One walked through my backyard 4 years ago. Now, they're being reported further north.
Isn't it wonderful how the departments in charge of wildlife appear to be always the last to know?
Very soon we'll be hearing about "Grolar cougs"!!!

[huntin]

Wow that cat was right at home within 20miles of the house how'd it get past me

[Yéil]

Originally Posted by Tundra Monkey

We've had rumours floating around Yellowknife for the last decade or so.

They did manage to get pics of one near a ball diamond in a residential area here in Yellowknife a couple years ago.....so it's confirmed.

TM, you might find this paper of interest. http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/docum...in_the_nwt.pdf

The 2007 confirmation: http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/docum...in_the_nwt.pdf

[Yéil]

Originally Posted by Ryry4

Cougars moving north, musk ox moving south. Very interesting.

Muskoxen have established a mixed sex herd in the Yukon as well. Up near the Richardson range and Nat'l park.

[Tundra Monkey]

Thank you for the links Yeil

I grew up with Rob Gau......good guy

They should have ticked off YK tho cuz they put it in the paper

Arctic would likely remember the date that the one was in his yard....the ballpark I referred to is right behind his house

It was probably after this paper was written

[Yéil]

Originally Posted by Tundra Monkey

Thank you for the links Yeil

I grew up with Rob Gau......good guy

They should have ticked off YK tho cuz they put it in the paper

Arctic would likely remember the date that the one was in his yard....the ballpark I referred to is right behind his house

It was probably after this paper was written

Sorry TM, messed up on the links...

The 2007 confirmation piece is here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/...wt-cougar.html

[Yéil]

Originally Posted by Arctic

I've seen and photo'd cougars betweenn Enterprise, NWT and High Level since the 60's. May a dozen I've seen. About 10 years ago they were seen on the north side of the MacKenzie River, and within about 4 years, they made it to Yellowknife. One walked through my backyard 4 years ago. Now, they're being reported further north.
Isn't it wonderful how the departments in charge of wildlife appear to be always the last to know?
Very soon we'll be hearing about "Grolar cougs"!!!

True Arctic, my elders have been speaking about the cougars for a while... as soon as we started seeing mulies north of Atlin Lake, they knew the cats wouldn't be far behind them. The YTG wildlife folks said it was impossible. lol

[357xp]

seen one north of Tall Cree a number of years ago (no it wasnt a lynx)

[greylynx]

Are we really surprised?

Look how elk are becoming a problem for farmers and ranchers in their old haunts.

I thought I would not live to see the day when elk would come back to Elk Point Alberta, but the way they are moving around... maybe.

And with the hoofed animals moving about, I am sure there is a big kitty looking for supper.

[mooseslayer]

Here is a picture of the cougar just after he got hit.

[catnthehat]

Apparently there was one spotted at our range the other day - a four legged cougar, that is!!
I know they have been seen a hundred or so miles south , and North of us about 30 miles.
Cat

[moose maniac]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Apparently there was one spotted at our range the other day - a four legged cougar, that is!!
I know they have been seen a hundred or so miles south , and North of us about 30 miles.
Cat

Been seeing a few cougars around Red Earth for the last 10 years or so,as the crow flies fort mac is pretty close,it would not surprise me if they were around fort mac.

[Mekanik]

wife said she saw one around firebag two weeks ago. I told her next time take a bloody picture. Two BBerries with cameras on her at all times and she can't take a picture?

[brownbomber]

I thought I would not live to see the day when elk would come back to Elk Point Alberta, but the way they are moving around... maybe.

been hearing that from several people for a long time that there have been sightings. i know there have been sightings farther east close to where i am.

[joshcat]

Had one at my pheasant pen this winter not much left. I have seen 3 in our area and one trapped.

[bubba300]

I seen one run accross highway this spring about 5 miles south of Indian Cabins.

[Canuck Bob]

My Dad talks of them passing through Salt Prairie before the war, north of Grouard, in the Lessor Slave Lake area. He remembered because they terrified the horses much more than bears.

It is good to see animals expand their range. I saw one in the Robb country near Edson last year going to a lease. Only one I ever saw in the bush.