Rumors are flying in western New York about the sighting(s) of Mountain Lions; a species supposedly not found in New York state since approximately 1880. The New York state department of conservation – DEC – continues to reject the notion that these large felines may once again be prowling areas where they disappeared from nearly 120 years ago. Spokespeople for that agency categorically insist, that there are no Mountain Lions in western New York, let alone New York state, period. Could they be mistaken? These same spokespeople will tell us that there are no Lynx in New York either. Even though New York shares an international boundary with the country that gives us the Canadian Lynx, these experts of all wild things claim that anyone who thinks they have spotted a Lynx, has most likely just seen a Bobcat or even just a very large house cat. Bobcats usually don’t exceed 20 to 25 pounds in weight and are usually smallish, compact bundles of tawny colored fur with black markings. Lynx, on the other hand, can grow larger, depending on the food source available throughout the year, and are more grey colored than tawny. Lynx also have distinctive, long tufts of fur at the tops of their ears and disproportionately large feet attached to again, disproportionately long legs. Mountain Lions, can commonly reach in excess of 100 pounds, and are easily identified by their tail, which is commonly as long as the rest of their body. So what is it that so many western New Yorkers are seeing in their back yards, crossing country roads or slipping in and out of the shadows where a meadow or field meets a tree line?
These days, it is hard to go out into the country, away from urban centers, and NOT see or hear evidence of wild turkeys. Not just an isolated bird sunning itself near cover, but flocks of these 15 to 20 pound birds are now well entrenched throughout the state. When we first moved into our current residence, within the city limits of Buffalo, the closest “country” setting was a minimum of 10 to 12 miles away. Yet shortly after moving into our house, I was outside doing some yard work and was quite taken aback as I witnessed a full grown, male turkey, cautiously making his way down the sidewalk! It was not that long ago, less than 50 years, if someone talked about seeing or hearing a turkey in the wild, they were considered to be “on something”! I never even knew turkeys existed in New York until a friend of mine went squirrel hunting with me one day, noticed something large perched in a tree, and pointed it out to me. We thought it was a hawk or large owl – until it noticed us, and beat a hasty retreat in flight, deeper into the woods. I’ll say this, once you’ve seen a turkey flying for all it’s worth, trying to escape an imagined predator, you won’t ever forget it. Nor will you forget the noise of its large wings, flapping furiously, trying to put as much distance between you and it as quickly as possible! Fifty years ago, sighting a lone turkey was cause for celebration. Now, they are back in force and it does not look like they have any intention of going away again.
Coyotes were just canine type creatures that existed in movies and documentaries about the west. There were no coyotes in western New York. All you had to do was check with any DEC office and they would tell you that if you thought you saw one, you had probably just seen a small German Shepherd or some other breed of dog with a mildly shaggy coat and pointed ears. Well, coyotes must have returned to western New York on the same bus that brought all the turkeys back to the area because they are now a very common wild visitor to many yards and fields in the region. They are small, smaller than the standard Shepherd, and as sly as a fox. Coyotes have probably been residents of western New York for much longer than the DEC wants to admit. They are just very cunning and shrewd and know how to stay out of our sight better than practically any other mammal that calls New York state home. Practically every deer hunting season that I can remember from the time I was a teen, there have been articles written about and pictures taken, of coyotes that had been shot by deer hunters. And like hearing a turkey in flight, if you ever hear a coyote singing at night, it is a sound you will never forget.
With the return of turkeys and coyotes to the western region of New York state, why is the DEC so steadfast in their denial of the larger feline species also returning to the area? These creatures are elusive and intelligent and normally, would not be found in close proximity to humans. But as with other wildlife, sometimes creatures that shun the company of man, have no choice but to come into our back yards and fields as their more natural surroundings are invaded by ATVs, dirt bikes, snow mobiles, hikers, campers or logging concerns. Fluctuations in seasonal food options would also make usually invisible or unknown residents, more visible as they seek out prey for their survival. I am not a big proponent of just because I’ve never seen one means that it cannot be, so count me in with the growing list of others from western New York who, if they have not already witnessed one of these big cats crossing their path or just meandering around the neighborhood, wish they could. In 2009, western New York experienced quite an increase in black bear sightings, with some of these normally solitary and elusive creatures being hit by vehicles on busy highways. Perhaps 2010 will bring the proof and acceptance by authorities and naysayers, that those big cats that so many people are talking about, are really out there! That’s not Fluffy sitting on top of the picnic table, it must be one of those non-existent critters that we’re told are not around these parts!
