(WWJ) Could this be a cougar?

Local newspaper the Mason County Press reports Tim Dill captured an image of his trail cameras of what he believes was a cougar, near US 10 and Bean Road in Custer Township, just outside of Scottville. This north of Muskegon, near the Huron-Mainstee National Forest.

The picture was taken on Sunday, Nov. 4, according to the Press. Most commenting on the photo on Facebook say it's clearly a cougar, although some theorized that it could be a bobcat.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources did not immediately confirm this particular sighting, although DNR officials have said in the past that cougars are very rare in the state, especially in the Lower Peninsula.

Since 2008, the DNR has confirmed only 38 reports of cougars -- also known as mountain lions -- with all but one of those occurring in the Upper Peninsula. The only confirmed downstate sighting was in June of 2011, in Clinton County's Bath Township.

The last Michigan DNR-verified cougar was caught on a game camera in Gogebic County, about nine miles north of Ironwood, last month. ((See photos here)).

As far as the metro Detroit area, the last suspected cougar was seen in Northville in March of this year. Police urged citizens to keep an aye out for any unusual animals, but the sighting was never confirmed -- which is typically done by experts using video, photos, tracks or scat.

Cougars originally were native to Michigan, but largely disappeared from the state around the turn of the century.

Although experts say the odds of encountering a cougar in the wild are very small and attacks on humans are extremely rare, the DNR suggests the following tips if you do come across one.

Face the animal and do not act submissive. Stand tall, wave your arms and talk in a loud voice.

Never run from a cougar or other large carnivore. If children are present, pick them up.

Do not crouch and get on all fours.

If attacked, fight back with whatever is available. DO NOT play dead.

Report the encounter to local authorities and the DNR as soon as possible.

Citizens can submit pictures of possible sightings for verification at mi.gov/eyesinthefield. To learn more about cougars in Michigan, visit this link.