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October 31, 1999
Cougars spotted in Brown CountyBy TONY ZIEBOL Journal Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD -- It might surprise many people that cougars have spotted in southwestern Brown County and into Cottonwood County, but to Richard Schroeder of rural Springfield, he's been seeing the big cats for years. Schroeder said he's been watching them from his front porch for as long as 20 years. It's only recently that others have seen the cougars as well and taken him seriously. "The DNR told me I was cracked in the head years ago," Schroeder said. These days the DNR is taking the reports seriously. "We're certainly interested," said Capt. Randy Evans of the DNR's enforcement division in New Ulm to the Mankato Free Press. "We'd like to have a photograph or videotape of one." Schroeder said the cougars come and go, but are around at least a couple of times a year. Lately he's seen a female and her kitten near his home. "Last year we watched (the kitten) chase gophers," Schroeder said. "He's pretty good sized, about the size of a shepherd dog. I'm glad I'm not a gopher." In years past, Schroeder said he's seen a very large male, with a four to five foot-long tail. Despite the sightings, Schroeder said he's never had any problems with the cougars. "They don't bother nothing and I don't bother them," he said. However, he has heard talk of a farmer that said a cougar got one of his cattle. He's also heard of someone who turned his two dogs on one -- one never came back, and the other came back severely wounded. Both Schroeder and Evans said there's no evidence that a cougar was responsible in either case, though, although it's possible. Although he hasn't seen one, Schroeder said he has heard of wolves being in the area as well and has heard howling sounds on occasion at night, that could be attributed to wolves. According to Schroeder, there's no doubt about the cougars, even though the animals are not known to frequent Minnesota. Cougars have higher populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota and in Manitoba, Canada. Schroeder said he doesn't know why the cougars are in this area, but said the DNR told him cougars often keep to a specific territory. "I have a hunch we're in the middle of it or close to it," Schroeder said. Trying to get a photograph of the cougars has been difficult, he said, as every time he moves to get a camera, they take off, and they don't come around regularly. "They don't knock on the door and say here I am," said Schroeder, saying he will keep a camera closer to him from now on. They may be hard photograph, but Schroeder said he can tell when a cougar is around. His property is usually full of birds, rabbits and other wildlife, but when a cougar is in the area, he said the other animals scatter, leaving nothing but quiet. "It's like sitting in the middle of the Sahara Desert," he said. Evans said the threat to humans is minimal, but cougars can be dangerous. You shouldn't approach them, especially if they are feeding or with kittens. They usually avoid confrontation, but you should give them a way to escape. If you come in contact with a cougar, don't run, stay calm and hold your ground or back away slowly. Both Evans and Schroeder want to remind people that cougars are federally protected and shooting them is illegal. Schroeder said no one will harm a cougar on his property. "I'll protect them if they're here," he said. "I hope nobody shoots them."
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