Many people wonder if mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, or catamounts, roam New Hampshire’s forests. Historical accounts and occasional public sightings fuel curiosity about these powerful predators. Understanding their past presence and current status clarifies the reality of mountain lions in the state.
Current Status in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department states there is no evidence of a resident, breeding mountain lion population in the state. While numerous sightings are reported annually, none provide verifiable physical evidence. Wildlife officials require tangible proof, such as clear photographs, DNA from scat or fur, or carcass examination to substantiate a claim. New Hampshire Fish and Game biologists routinely investigate these reports but consistently find no verifiable evidence of mountain lions.
Despite the lack of a resident population, transient individuals, typically young males, can disperse from established western populations. For example, a mountain lion from the Dakotas was killed in Connecticut, demonstrating their ability to travel vast distances eastward.
Historical Presence and Extirpation
Mountain lions once inhabited New Hampshire and much of the eastern United States. This native population, sometimes called the eastern cougar, was extirpated from the region by the late 1800s and early 1900s. Extensive habitat loss and relentless hunting by settlers led to their disappearance. The last confirmed mountain lion in New Hampshire was killed in Lee in 1853.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the eastern cougar extinct in 2011, noting no confirmed sightings since 1938. While this declaration pertains to a specific subspecies, it underscores the absence of an indigenous population in the East for many decades.
Understanding Unconfirmed Sightings
Public reports of mountain lion sightings in New Hampshire are frequent but remain unconfirmed due to a lack of physical evidence. These reports often stem from misidentification of other common wildlife. Animals mistaken for mountain lions include bobcats, coyotes, and large domestic cats. For instance, DNA analysis of reported scat has revealed it belonged to bobcats or domestic dogs. The absence of confirmed trail camera photos further supports that resident mountain lions are not present.
Distinguishing Mountain Lions from Other Wildlife
Differentiating a mountain lion from other animals in New Hampshire involves observing specific physical characteristics. Mountain lions are large, slender cats with a uniform tawny, tan, or reddish-brown coat and a paler underside. A key feature is their long, cylindrical tail, up to one-third of their total body length, typically with a black tip.
Bobcats are considerably smaller, weighing 15 to 35 pounds, with a short, “bobbed” tail, reddish-brown fur, and often ear tufts. Coyotes, canids, have a dog-like appearance with a bushy tail, longer legs, and often a gray or brown coat.