The role of the DNR in the Bigfoot phenomenon

As you probably know, one type of evidence for the existence of Bigfoot is unidentified vocalization recordings. I have to wonder how many of these remain "unidentified" because the DNR(Department of Natural Resources) for the state they were recorded in, has said that whatever known animal that was suspected of being the source of the vocalization, didn't exist in that state. Awhile back I started to wonder EXACTLY what the DNR means when they say that. So I decided to inquire about that and used the Mountain Lion as an example for two reasons.
1)The existence of Mountain Lions in WV is the subject of some controversy.
2)I've read numerous reports on various Bigfoot sites of vocalizations being heard that were described as sounding like a woman screaming or a woman being murdered. I've heard Mountain Lion screams described the same way. (In fact 20 years ago or so, it was a hot night and my bedroom window was open and I heard a sound that sounded like a woman screaming. My dad said it was a Mountain Lion) Anyway, I got the following reply from the DNR:

Steven:

Relating to mountain lions, it is our agency's position that the eastern cougar was extirpated from West Virginia in the 1800's and that there are no mountain lions reproducing and sustaining themselves in West Virginia. With that said, it is possible that individuals may have illegally acquired animals which have been released into the wild on occasion. Each year the DNR investigates numerous calls from individuals which say that they sighted a mountain lion and they typically turn up as bobcats, coyotes, etc.

Thanks. Gary

Gary M. Foster
Supervisor of Game Management
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Section
P.O. Box 67
Elkins, West Virginia 26241
Phone: (304) 637-0245
Fax: (304) 637-0250
Email: garyfoster@wvdnr.gov

So you see, when the DNR says a particular animal doesn't exist in a particular state, it doesn't necessarily mean the animal in question doesn't exist in that state