Hunting Seasons Open As Cougars Appear in Midwest Again

Last year was a big one for cougar and mountain lion sightings across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. And those numbers seem to be an upward trend; as another one was recently spotted in Indianola something that may keep local hunters on their toes again.

According to reports from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in 2022 there were 15 verified cougar sightings in the state, 7 across Sauk, Richland, Grant and Crawford County, with 4 of those reports from Richland County alone. Several of the reported sightings were caught on local trail cameras and pictures can be found here. So far this year, there have already been 16 Wisconsin DNR verified cougar sightings.

In Illinois and Iowa there have also been increases in big cat activity and sightings. The Illinois DNR captured and relocated a tracked cougar that traveled from Nebraska and through Iowa without incident or being seen last year. A mountain lion was also hit by a vehicle in late October 2022 just outside of Chicago. According to the Illinois DNR, cougars captured or killed locally in the last 10 years were all sub-adult, 2 to 3 year-old, males. DNA analysis indicates the animals are genetically similar to cougars from South Dakota and strongly suggests that these were all wild males dispersing from the western population.

Illinois DNR wants to remind residents that mountain lions are protected under Illinois law. That means it is illegal to hunt or harass them, unless the cats are a threat to people or property. In any instance, the authorities (State DNR) would like to be informed when a cougar is sighted.

In Iowa, sightings continue to rise in the Western areas of the state but have been steadily moving toward the resource heavy area which includes the driftless region of the Tri-States. The Iowa DNR confirmed around 16 cougar sightings from 1995 to 2014. In 2014 there was a confirmed deer kill by a cougar in Northeast Iowa. More recent sightings just occurred last year Madison and Warren Counties as well as in Indianola and again there this year. See the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Cougar Sightings map below which is current up to 2021.

The Iowa DNR notes that there are an average of 2 to 4 cougar sightings per week reported to their Clear Lake office from locations all over the state. This does not count all of the reports other DNR staff receive in their regions throughout the state as well. Over 2,000 mountain lion sightings have been reported since 2010. However, strong evidence in the form of legitimate tracks, photos, video or other evidence is necessary before sightings can officially be placed or mapped as “confirmed.”

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Our Departments of Natural Resources know that young male cougars do continually travel across the Midwestern states. This is usually done in an attempt to find a mate or expand their shrinking habitat; as their original areas see increased competition for, again, mates, but also food and territory. While Iowa might offer ample food, it lacks the vast expanse of wild country and female mates that these young males seek. This means, they often continue moving on, as there are currently no known breeding populations in Iowa. State biologists can confirm, and at an increased instance, that cougars are now wandering through Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri. Confirmed sightings do remain rare to nonexistent in other Midwestern states from Kansas to Ohio.

The cougar is the largest wildcat in North America and can weigh up to 160 pounds. And with small game hunting season now open, its more now more important to be aware of your surroundings. Cougars do NOT hibernate, so they are out and actively hunting during and throughout the cooler months. The Tri-States is more than capable of supplying these large predators with a healthy and thriving rabbit, turkey, and deer population.

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Since hunting season is officially open; and you, and the cougar, are going after the same prey. It might be a good idea to know how to deal with a run-in should it occur.

1. DO NOT RUN and DO NOT Play Dead! Running will stimulate the cats urge to hunt/attack you and playing dead could get you killed.
2. Stand tall and make yourself BIG.
3. Attack first. Scream loudly at the would-be attacker and throw objects if necessary.
4. Keep children and small pets close, standing between them and the cougar while slowly backing away.
5. If attacked, fight back with a sharp object if possible, aiming for the eyes of the big cat.

Again, the DNR wants the public to report cougar sightings in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. To report one, access the large mammal observation form on the DNR's website and include details of the exact location, time, date and description of the animal. Photos of the animal or its tracks are also helpful to the agency. Place a ruler next to tracks to help provide a size reference. Biological samples (hair, scat) are also very helpful.