Large Predators in Michigan to Avoid
Here in Michigan, there are three large predators you should avoid at all costs. These large predators are bears, gray wolves, and cougars.
In all my years I've never come across any of these large predators, and nor do I plan to anytime soon.
I've done plenty of traveling throughout the state of Michigan, including northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula as well. And the only large animals I've come in contact with were deer.
According to michigannature.wordpress.com:
As scary as predators seem, they are crucial to Michigan’s ecosystems and are most likely more afraid of you than you are of them.
This may be true but under no circumstances, do I want to come in contact with bears, wolves, or cougars.
Did you know that there are over 16,000 bears that live in Michigan? Most of them live in the Upper Peninsula.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you would like bears to stay completely away from you at any cost. (michigannature.wordpress.com)
Michigan, minimize food odors and waste and do not keep food of any kind in tents. Suspend food and waste 12 feet above ground 10 feet from trunk and 5 feet from nearest branch.
Good to know, now let's move on to cougars. I think if I ever came across a cougar somewhere in Michigan, I would completely freak out!
So what do we know about cougars? (michigannature.wordpress.com)
Like black bears, cougars are native to Michigan but their population drastically declined at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, periodic sightings have been reported throughout Michigan. Cougars are highly secretive and solitary; the odds of seeing one are incredibly small. Usually six to nine feet long, cougars mainly prey on deer.
Okay, now let's move on to another large Michigan predator, gray wolves. I don't know much about gray wolves, but I do remember reading about a gray wolf sighting that was actually confirmed in Cheboygan county.
Even though I've never seen any gray wolves in the Upper Peninsula, apparently, these wolves are being spotted more and more in portions of lower Michigan.