Life in the Boreal Forest
By: Jeffery Garrett – BYCCA Director
Cougar in the shadows. – Image source: Stock purchased image – Envato Elements
Spring at the ‘Creek means dealing with the runoff from the surrounding hillside, slippery and then soupy roads, and more sightings of our four-legged community members looking for food and love.
Perhaps that goes for the two-legged members, too, but I bring it up because on my walk back home from my gravel recovery efforts at dusk the other night, I heard what I thought was screaming children running through the woods.
Cougar was captured on a trail camera in western Marinette County. Image source: Wisconsin DNR Image
At the road bridge, it became clear that I was hearing screeching foxes and a cacophony of birds squawking as if on high alert. While still processing the commotion, I saw what it was all about – a large cougar was slinking across The Clearing toward the creek.
When it saw me, it immediately stopped and sat down. Gulp. Even from a distance, I could tell it was huge and, if desired, could easily catch me.
It just stared as I slowly backed up Bob’s driveway and made a beeline to the cottage. With trembling hands, I punched in the keypad code, praying it had not been changed so I could get inside…and breathe.
I did, and relief washed over me. Whew. Tony kindly picked me up and drove me home, keeping the headlights on me until I was safely in the door. Good guy, that Tony.
“I have backpacked in grizzly country many times, and in BYC, I have confronted bears, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, fishers, and even a badger, but Tuesday was the first time I felt like prey.”
A quick Google search will inform you that dogs were missing off porches in Red Cliff in 2016, and they caught a cougar on camera with a coyote hanging out of its mouth in 2019, so it is not unusual for them to pass through during this time of year. I had heard rumors of sightings again this Spring but didn’t think much about it until it visited us. I reported it to the DNR, who reiterated what I heard and read and told me how cool it was to see one. Well…
I did not let it stop me from working outside again yesterday afternoon, although I did consider carrying the shovel home with me. I didn’t; I left it with the wheelbarrow and made it back alive to file this report. However, I no sooner took my boots off when the cats (Oliver and Oliva – the “Os” – much smaller and like to purr and curl up next to the fireplace) ran around the house like wild animals, craning their necks out every window they passed.
Here, a sizable fisher was loping down the driveway. I was grateful the Os were now living inside and thought, well, that’s life in the woods.
But then I immediately caught myself and how I take that attitude for granted. It’s life now, but will it always be?
Fisher – Image source: Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
Cougar track – Image source: Wisconsin DNR Image
This question was particularly impactful on the heels of the Stewardship Committee meeting, where we discussed what we can do at this moment in which we are living. It is one of many answers, but let’s start by doing everything possible to protect our forests and the habitat around us, certainly at Brickyard Creek but also throughout the Apostle Islands and the greater Bayfield area.
In the coming weeks, the Stewardship Committee will share opportunities to do just that, and I hope you’ll consider taking action.
Even after my encounter, or more so, let’s do all we can for them. May our efforts be the ripples that grow to become about-face waves of change.
Here is an article from the DNR about Cougars in Wisconsin.
Here is helpful information and tips from the Mountain Lion Foundation.
Thank you, and keep the pups close by!
Jeffery Garrett – BYCCA Director
