DETROIT -- It's the time of year when lots of local families head north, taking advantage of Michigan's picturesque parks.

But some popular vacation spots are also becoming known as "cougar" country.

The creatures -- caught only on camera -- are apparently still out there.

Michigan's last wild cougar was reportedly killed 100 years ago. But tantalizing signs show cougars are making a comeback in the wild.

The Platte River in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is said to be one of Michigan's hot spots for cougar sightings.

Dr. Pat Rusz is the program director for the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy. An expert on endangered species, he claims he's finding evidence of cougars and is pressing the state to recognize them.

"There's no doubt," Rusz said. "We have every kind of evidence possible. We've seen scat -- or droppings -- (and) we've had DNA confirmed from them by labs. We've seen tracks and cougars standing in the tracks."

Rusz says cougars have been photographed in at least three Michigan counties: Alcona, Delta and Wexford.

People near Sleeping Bear Dunes haven't been quick enough with their cameras, but insist cougars are there.

Sandra Catlin reports three sightings.

"It was beige," she said of one. "I saw a long tail."

Josh Lovendusky reports four sightings.

"I had one go in front of me," he recalled. "Two seconds later, I had another one pop right behind it."

Kathy Stocklen, Lovendusky's boss at Riverside Canoe Rentals, also spotted one.

"We were stunned, but we know exactly what we saw," Stocklen said.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy says the evidence of a wild cougar population in Michigan is overwhelming. But the Department of Natural Resources is not among the believers.

The DNR says what's lacking is an actual cougar. There are no dead ones found along the roads, or live ones treed by bear-hunting dogs.

"The department bases all management on sound scientific evidence," said DNR supervisor Penney Melchoir.

But the DNR tracks reports of cougar sightings, and admits a cougar may have attacked livestock in Northern Michigan.

The DNR says if cougars are prowling the woods, they are merely released pets -- and only a handful at that

"They were coming close to people, going to houses in and out of barns," said Melchoir. "I was able to determine (a) large cat, possibly a cougar -- but they seem pretty domesticated."

But Rusz believes wild cougars never left Michigan. He argues they survived in wetlands where hunters never penetrated. Rusz says up to 80 cougars are in the woods of Michigan, and the DNR should adopt a plan to manage them.

"These are the real deal," Rusz said.