What I saw today (twice) frisking about was definitely deer, not an alleged cougar. They had longish, broad brown tails with white undersides - probably white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Apparently there was a bear 5 minutes climb above me for 3 or 4 days. When I did climb up higher on a day that I was alone and not risking the dogs or my host there was nothing to be seen.
