fish and wildlife and the DNR here said the same thing for nearly 6-7 years, despite tracks, droppings and trail cam pics. Finally, after one got hit by a truck, they had to announce that yea, mountain Lions were back in Indiana.
now they’re doing the same thing with black bears. Saying there’s only evidence of one male black bear in southern Indiana, yet there’s tons trail cam, droppings and tracks just to the south of me, 90 miles from where they claim the bear is.