Types of Mountain Lion in New Hampshire

No. Mountain lions have been absent from New Hampshire for nearly 200 years. The few unconfirmed reports of mountain lion sightings in the state are believed to be rare vagrant individuals dispersing from western populations, not established breeding residents. These dispersers are typically young males seeking new territory and do not represent a returning species. New Hampshire lacks the vast wilderness areas and low human population density that mountain lions require to maintain stable, reproducing populations.

New Hampshire is home to two native wild cats: the bobcat and the mountain lion's smaller relative, the lynx, which is extremely rare in the state. Bobcats are common throughout New Hampshire in forests, scrubland, and swamps. They weigh 15 to 30 pounds and have rusty-brown or gray coats with dark spots, tufted ears, and a short stubby tail. Lynx are larger than bobcats at 15 to 20 pounds but are solitary and rarely seen. Both species are nocturnal and elusive. Visit the /wildlife/new-hampshire page to learn about all large predators in the state, or read more about /wildlife/new-hampshire/bobcat to understand the wild cats that thrive in New Hampshire today.

Mountain lion misidentification is common in the Northeast. Residents often report large cats, but the reports are usually proven to be large dogs, coyotes, or captive animals that escaped from enclosures. Young black bears sometimes trigger mountain lion reports, as their body shape and size can be confused. Large feral or outdoor house cats on their hind legs have also been mistaken for mountain lions. Coyotes in New Hampshire average 40 to 50 pounds, making them considerably smaller than a true mountain lion, which weighs 100 to 200 pounds in the wild.

Mountain lions require vast territories that can span 50 to 100 square miles per individual, depending on prey availability. The Northeast is highly developed, fragmented by roads and human settlements, and densely populated by humans. Historic overhunting in the 1700s and 1800s eliminated the species from the region entirely. Even if a breeding population tried to establish itself today, human activity, vehicle collisions, and habitat fragmentation would make survival extremely difficult. The mountain lion's western range remains stable because states like Colorado, California, and Utah still contain large tracts of wild terrain and lower human density.

Mountain lion recolonization of the Northeast is extremely unlikely in the foreseeable future. For a breeding population to establish itself, multiple individuals would need to disperse from the West, find mates, and successfully raise cubs in a landscape where nearly every step could be fatal due to vehicle strikes, human conflict, or prey scarcity. Occasionally, young male mountain lions have been confirmed far east of their normal range, such as the Connecticut mountain lion of 2011, but these are solitary vagrants, not the start of a reestablished population. Most wildlife experts agree that the Northeast simply does not have the habitat or low human density required to support breeding mountain lions.

Black bears are the largest predators in New Hampshire. Adult males weigh 200 to 400 pounds, making them far larger than any resident wild cat. Coyotes, weighing 35 to 50 pounds on average, are the second-largest native predator. Both species are found throughout the state, though they remain shy and avoid humans. Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk, while black bears are primarily nocturnal. See /wildlife/new-hampshire to explore all of New Hampshire's wild predators and how they coexist in the state.

No. New Hampshire state law prohibits private ownership of mountain lions, as it does for all wild large cats. A permit system exists, but mountain lions are not listed among the animals for which permits can be issued. Violating wildlife ownership laws can result in significant fines and criminal charges. Even states that permit exotic cats require specialized licenses and extensive enclosures. Anyone interested in large wild cats can instead support wildlife rehabilitation efforts or visit facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to see captive mountain lions.

Mountain lions are highly mobile. Males, in particular, may travel 100 or more miles in search of new territory and mates. A young male mountain lion documented in Connecticut in 2011 had traveled more than 1,500 miles from its origin in South Dakota, confirming that long-distance dispersal is possible. However, the journey is extremely hazardous, with vehicle strikes, hunting, and starvation claiming the lives of most dispersers. In the developed Northeast, even those rare individuals that attempt such journeys face nearly insurmountable odds of survival.

If you encounter a large unidentified cat, do not approach it. Take a clear photo if safe to do so and report the sighting to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department with the location, date, time, and description. Provide any photos you captured. Fish and Game biologists can examine evidence and determine what species you likely observed. Most reports turn out to be misidentifications, but wildlife officials investigate all credible sightings. Never attempt to trap, pursue, or harm any wild animal.