Cougar Sighting in Menominee County Raises Excitement and Concern
A trail camera captured a video of a cougar roaming Duane Clausen’s property near County Highway 577 in southern Menominee County about a month ago.
MENOMINEE — According to the Eagle-Herald newspaper in neighboring Marinette, Wis., a cougar was recently spotted in southern Menominee County. The big cat was caught on a trail camera on Duane Clausen’s property near Birch Creek Road and County Highway 577 in mid-September.
By BETSY BLOOM
Daily News
A video of the cougar was shared on Duane Clausen’s Facebook page, where he noted that the cat’s hips measured around 28 to 29 inches high compared to a tree stand they were building for hunting season. Clausen, who resides on a 10-acre property, said this was the first cougar he has recorded, although he believes he may have seen another in the area last year.
While Clausen finds it exciting to have a cougar on his trail camera, he is also taking precautions, planning to carry a sidearm when outside. However, he is confident that the chances of an attack are remote as the cougar appeared well-fed and in good shape. Clausen’s main concern is for his dogs, who already face risks from bears, coyotes, and wolves in the area.
This is not the first cougar sighting in the Upper Peninsula this year. Another trail camera captured footage of a cougar in Luce County on May 14. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources shared that there have been three sightings in 2023, with the first two occurring in Chippewa and Menominee counties. There is no information available yet on any additional sightings between Clausen’s cougar and the one from Luce County.
Cougars, which were once considered extinct in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula by the early 1900s, have been sporadically appearing in the region since about 2008. It is believed that these cats are young males dispersing from South or North Dakota in search of territory and mates. There is currently no known breeding population of cougars in the region.
Bird Migration and Wildlife Sightings
Along with the cougar sighting, various bird species have been observed in the area due to the ongoing fall migration. Six Mile Lake welcomed ring-necked ducks and wood ducks, providing a picturesque scene with fading lily pads. While some ducks are passing through, mallards, blue-winged teal, wood ducks, and hooded mergansers are known to nest in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. The region is also experiencing an abundance of sparrows, juncos, and robins, taking advantage of the plentiful fruit crop this year.
As the migration continues, there is a possibility of more duck species and grebes making a stopover before continuing their journey. Winter plumage is starting to appear on many species, resulting in dark gray feathers above and pale feathers below.
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