In late December, a friend and I where out driving and walking as we so often do. Close to 1am, we where headed towards Mt. Misery coming from Rt. 72. There was almost a full moon and was very bright. At one point, about 75 yards in front of us, something of a very light brown/beige color ran across the road. Although it being a cougar did not enter our minds, it was an appropriate size and color. It was certainly not a deer by the way it was moving. Earlier in the night we where hiking between Penn State Forest and Warren Grove. When we got closer to Penn State we heard a number of coyotes to the west and then to the east. What we saw by Mt. Misery was too large to be a coyote. We wondered if it could have been a beige colored wolf since there have been some reports in the area the past few years, but seems unlikely. There's been reports of black bears too in the Manchester area, but unless it was a very light colored black bear we didn't think so. It didn't seem to have a tail, so the bear is a possible explanation. However, it was very cold, so what would have been slinking around in that time of the night (except us)?
Anyway, still don't think it was a cougar, but who knows.
Anyway, still don't think it was a cougar, but who knows.
Besides, it shows how important it is if you see something unusual, such as a big, rare cat, to collect as much good evidence as you can to have any chance of it being believed. The internet is full of hoax's and discussions that end up poorly. Some things to consider; carry a camera, and should you find something, photograph it along with something of reference, such as a coin, to give an indication of its size. In the topic being discuseed, all cat tracks look pretty much the same, except for size. Forget the reference point if the subject is quickly approaching and drool is pouring off its canine teeth 
