Re(3): Peer Reviewed Papers - Here is one IP: 173.87.200.62 Posted on June 4, 2016 at 01:07:43 PM by Helen McGinnis
Your conjecture is correct, Michael. I used to have this site bookmarked and visited it almost daily, but I stopped doing that, realizing that if another confirmation turns up in New England, it will be covered by the media and state wildlife agencies.
Yesterday several of us were hard at work writing comments on the proposed revision of Wyoming's mountain lion management plan. Why should those of us who want viable populations in the East care about Wyoming? Because part of the Black Hills, principal source of dispersers documented in the Midwest, is in Wyoming, and Wyoming, along with South Dakota, are working to reduce the Black Hills lion population by fostering overhunting. With a reduced population, young lions have no need to leave the Hills, a few of them heading east.
Next deadline is June 20th, for comments on North Dakota's declining population. The ND Badlands and Turtle Mountain, on the ND-Manitoba border, are ideal "stepping stones" to the Upper Midwest.
LaRue & Nielsen infer that no matter how much source lion populations are reduced, recolonization will occur. We can just sit back and accept whatever lion management decisions the wildlife agencies in source states make. That doesn't make sense to me.
The new book HEART OF A LION has the best available information on recolonization. You should read it as carefully as you've read LaRue & Nielsen. On my Klandagi Facebook, I give sources whenever possible; you don't have to take my word for what I say. I enjoy posts by people who don't agree with me as long as they provide sources for their statements.
I was a "true believer" myself for at least 30 years, but once I decided there were no lion populations in the East, I decided to advocate for their return.