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Resident says of sighting, 'Them ain't deer' [IL-cougars]
NW Herald ^ | 8-23-08 | SARAH SUTSCHEK
Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 10:31:22 PM by SJackson
BULL VALLEY – While driving down Thompson Road on Wednesday morning, Robert Poyner Sr. couldn’t believe his eyes.
“At first I thought it was a couple of small deer,” he said. “And then I said, ‘Them ain’t deer; they’re two large cats.’ ”
Images fresh in his mind from when a cougar was shot and killed by police in Chicago’s Roscoe Village in April, Poyner said the two animals looked similar.
He described them as about the size of German shepherds with golden brown fur and long tails.
“My first instinct was to call 911,” Poyner said.
“I figured I’d better report it to somebody, do something to let people know that these animals were around.”
About 7 miles away in Woodstock, a woman driving on Route 14 near Doty Road on Sunday about 9 p.m. reported having to brake for an animal that looked like a cougar.
Woodstock police Sgt. Richard Johns said it was the only report that the department had received.
Bull Valley Police Chief Norbert Sauers said it wasn’t unusual for people to call in and say they had seen a cougar.
“I’ve heard people over the years say that they’ve seen something around here, but nothing confirmed,” he said. “I would have to say the chances of them seeing a coyote is closer to the truth.”
But Poyner insists that he saw a pair of cougars.
“I’ve seen deer; I’ve seen coyote,” Poyner said. “I’ve seen a lot in my 25 years in McHenry County, so I know what I was seeing. I wear glasses, but I’m not blind.”
Stacy Iwanicki, a naturalist with the Volo Bog State Natural Area, said that cougars tended to be secretive animals that stay away from people, but that they should never be approached.
Back off and give them space, she said.
“If he did see a pair, we could be looking at a future with the cats settling down, or they might just be moving through,” Iwanicki said. “Then again, it’s an unconfirmed sighting, and it’s hard to speculate until we get further evidence – a picture or footprint.”
Iwanicki said cougars could travel long distances easily.
“These cats could be in Wisconsin by tomorrow or Iowa by the weekend, depending on which direction they’re traveling,” she said.
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Here's a few more rear-ish views:
NW Herald ^ | 8-23-08 | SARAH SUTSCHEK
Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 10:31:22 PM by SJackson
BULL VALLEY – While driving down Thompson Road on Wednesday morning, Robert Poyner Sr. couldn’t believe his eyes.
“At first I thought it was a couple of small deer,” he said. “And then I said, ‘Them ain’t deer; they’re two large cats.’ ”
Images fresh in his mind from when a cougar was shot and killed by police in Chicago’s Roscoe Village in April, Poyner said the two animals looked similar.
He described them as about the size of German shepherds with golden brown fur and long tails.
“My first instinct was to call 911,” Poyner said.
“I figured I’d better report it to somebody, do something to let people know that these animals were around.”
About 7 miles away in Woodstock, a woman driving on Route 14 near Doty Road on Sunday about 9 p.m. reported having to brake for an animal that looked like a cougar.
Woodstock police Sgt. Richard Johns said it was the only report that the department had received.
Bull Valley Police Chief Norbert Sauers said it wasn’t unusual for people to call in and say they had seen a cougar.
“I’ve heard people over the years say that they’ve seen something around here, but nothing confirmed,” he said. “I would have to say the chances of them seeing a coyote is closer to the truth.”
But Poyner insists that he saw a pair of cougars.
“I’ve seen deer; I’ve seen coyote,” Poyner said. “I’ve seen a lot in my 25 years in McHenry County, so I know what I was seeing. I wear glasses, but I’m not blind.”
Stacy Iwanicki, a naturalist with the Volo Bog State Natural Area, said that cougars tended to be secretive animals that stay away from people, but that they should never be approached.
Back off and give them space, she said.
“If he did see a pair, we could be looking at a future with the cats settling down, or they might just be moving through,” Iwanicki said. “Then again, it’s an unconfirmed sighting, and it’s hard to speculate until we get further evidence – a picture or footprint.”
Iwanicki said cougars could travel long distances easily.
“These cats could be in Wisconsin by tomorrow or Iowa by the weekend, depending on which direction they’re traveling,” she said.
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Here's a few more rear-ish views:
