COUGAR QUEST - VIRGINIA

PO BOX 2142, WINCHESTER, VA 22604
(540) 888-3100 (phone)          (540) 888-4833 (fax)

btc@btcent.com (e-mail)     www.btcent.com (web site)

Contact: Barbara J. Chaplin, Executive Director, Cougar Quest - Virginia

 
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Cougar Quest - Virginia

 

COUGAR OBSERVATION FORM
Please print or save this file to your PC, then complete all that apply - circle or underline the appropriate option(s) - provide details - and send your observation to Cougar Quest - Virginia.

Reported Date:

Completed By:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

E-Mail:

GENERAL INFORMATION

Observed By:

Observer Familiarity With Wildlife (i.e., Property Owner, Hunter, Park Ranger, Nature Lover, Environmentalist, Etc.):

Sighting Date:

Location Of Sighting (as specific as possible: State, County, Area, Road, Etc.):

Sighting Type: Live Animal;  Animal Tracks;  Carcass or Body Parts
              Other: (describe):
Sighting Time of Day: Duration of Live Animal Observation:

Weather Conditions: Sunny;  Overcast;  Fog: Light,  Moderate,  Heavy;   Rain: Light,  Moderate,  Heavy;
                  Snow: Light,  Moderate,  Heavy
                  Other (describe):

Observer Location: Inside Building;  In / On Moving Vehicle;  In / On Stationery Vehicle; On Foot;  In Hunting Blind
                               Other (describe):

Distance From Observer: <5 Yards;  5-10 Yards;  10-25 Yards;  25-50 Yards;  50-100 Yards; >100 Yards
                  Other (describe):

Habitat:      Roadside (Residential);  Roadside (Rural);  Urban Farmland;  Woodland;  Swamp / Marsh
              Other (describe):

Photos: Yes No

Please send a copy if Yes for scientific verification (do not send .bmp files via e-mail). You will be notified of the finding, but your "proof" may not be returned.

Video: Yes No

Tape Recording: Yes No

Cast Of Track(s): Yes No

If Yes, will you provide for scientific verification if contacted? Yes No

Hair Sample: Yes No

LIVE ANIMAL SIGHTING

Activity:      Standing Broadside;  Standing Face On;  Standing Tail Toward Observer
              Walking / Running Broadside;  Walking / Running Face On;  Walking / Running Away
              Other (describe):

Description: Approx. Shoulder Height: __________ Approx. Body Length: __________
                  Approx. Tail Length: __________

                  Sex:  Male,  Female,  Unknown

              Overall Color: Black;  Brown: Light,  Medium,  Dark,  Reddish;  Tan;  Tawny;  Yellow;  Grey
                              Other (describe):

                 Any Distinguishing Feature(s):

(If more than 1 animal, please describe each on a separate page, providing the above information for each)

COUGAR TRACK SIGHTING

Track Observed In: Snow;  Mud;  Sand / Gravel
              Other (describe):

Approx. Age Of Track: <1 Hour;  <12 Hours;  <24 Hours;  >24 Hours

Condition Of Track: Fresh & Plainly Visible;
              Details Obscured By: Light Snow;  Melting Snow;  Rain
              Other (describe):

Track & Stride Measurements:
                 Estimated;  Measured
              Walking;  Running;  Other (describe):
              Right Front Foot: Width: _____;  Length: _____;  Sinking Depth: _____;  Nails Visible: Yes No
              Left Front Foot: Width: _____;  Length: _____;  Sinking Depth: _____;  Nails Visible: Yes No
              Right Hind Foot: Width: _____;  Length: _____;  Sinking Depth: _____;  Nails Visible: Yes No
              Left Hind Foot: Width: _____;  Length: _____;  Sinking Depth: _____;  Nails Visible: Yes No
              Other Track Observation (describe):
              Stride Measurement: _______________;  Distance Trail Followed: _______________
              Obvious Tail Drag Mark: Yes No

CARCASS / BODY PARTS
Carcass: Yes No Body Parts: Yes No

(Please Describe Your Observation Below)

COUGAR STORY / ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATION

Please use the space below (or separate pages) to provide details of your experience not covered above. Thank you for your participation in this project!

(This form has been modified, with permission, from the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy "Cougar Investigation Report")
(copyright: 02/2005 Cougar Quest - Virginia)