I have been looking for a cougar to show itself in WNC for 18 yrs. Thats awesome and scary all at the same time that you have seen one. I wish there was even video of one in our mtns.
There were a few sightings of one near Morganton last year, however no-one got a photo or trail cam of it. Thus, the NC wildlife commission will not recognize a \"true and factual\" sighting.
The official stance is that these cougars are extinct on the eastern seaboard of the US. However all you have to do is do a Internet search for cougar or mountain lion sightings in the USA, and you can find sightings from Florida to Connecticut. Not too many in the central eastern states, tho. There have been sightings of them in Iowa, Michigan, Canada.... The last search I did was in 2012' around August.
I do not go into the deep woods hiking or camping unless I am carrying my 1911' after that 2011 expereince.
I have no idea. However after watching this for about the 11th time... I think this cat moved up the trail, turned around up there, and watched s back trail.
There have been a whole bunch of sightings in the morganton to Nebo area. They say in Tazewell to Highlands county area of VA that they are pressuring the wild life officials to come out and recognize that they are there and they need to be classified.
Saw one in Ohio 9-10 years ago. I almost live in the woods lol, and that was the only one I've ever seen. Did find a couple of tracks one other time, and thats been it. Haven't ever seen any sign of bigfeets though LOL...