09-25-2004, 02:17 AM
A female mountain lion was killed by an archery hunter early Sunday morning in western North Dakota near Lone Butte in McKenzie County, according to Brent Schwan, State Game and Fish Department district game warden, Watford City.
According to Schwan, the bow hunter felt the lion was a danger to him and killed the cat with bow and arrow. "The Game and Fish Department has investigated the encounter and there is evidence to suggest this was a chance encounter, not a threatening encounter," Schwan said. "While it is impossible to know the intention of the mountain lion, it is clear that the hunter felt threatened, thus his actions were appropriate."
The female lion weighed 80 pounds and is believed to be young because of spots on her hind quarters, said Jacquie Ermer, game and fish furbearer biologist, Riverdale. As a precaution, brain material was submitted for rabies testing. A full necropsy and aging is currently being conducted. However, Ermer said, the lion appeared in good physical condition.
Currently, mountain lions are protected and there is no hunting season on lions in North Dakota. Encountering a mountain lion in the state is possible, but chances are rare, Ermer said. "The department has an action and response plan in place to handle various situations of lion encounters or sightings," Ermer added.
Roughly 15-20 sightings of lions are reported to the Game and Fish Department each year. In 2004, 22 sightings, or signs, have been reported, including two confirmed by tracks in McKenzie and Mountrail counties.
Ermer suggests following these guidelines should a mountain lion encounter occur: [ul] [li]Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. [li]STAY CALM when you come upon a lion. Talk to it in a calm yet firm voice. [li]STOP. Back away slowly if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright. [li]DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children along, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run. [li]If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. You want to convince the lion you are not prey and that you may, in fact, be a danger to it. [li]FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and bare hands. Remain standing or try to get back up. [li]When you walk or hike in potential mountain lion country, GO IN GROUPS and MAKE PLENTY OF NOISE to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close and within sight at all times. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they see one. [/li][/ul]
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According to Schwan, the bow hunter felt the lion was a danger to him and killed the cat with bow and arrow. "The Game and Fish Department has investigated the encounter and there is evidence to suggest this was a chance encounter, not a threatening encounter," Schwan said. "While it is impossible to know the intention of the mountain lion, it is clear that the hunter felt threatened, thus his actions were appropriate."
The female lion weighed 80 pounds and is believed to be young because of spots on her hind quarters, said Jacquie Ermer, game and fish furbearer biologist, Riverdale. As a precaution, brain material was submitted for rabies testing. A full necropsy and aging is currently being conducted. However, Ermer said, the lion appeared in good physical condition.
Currently, mountain lions are protected and there is no hunting season on lions in North Dakota. Encountering a mountain lion in the state is possible, but chances are rare, Ermer said. "The department has an action and response plan in place to handle various situations of lion encounters or sightings," Ermer added.
Roughly 15-20 sightings of lions are reported to the Game and Fish Department each year. In 2004, 22 sightings, or signs, have been reported, including two confirmed by tracks in McKenzie and Mountrail counties.
Ermer suggests following these guidelines should a mountain lion encounter occur: [ul] [li]Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. [li]STAY CALM when you come upon a lion. Talk to it in a calm yet firm voice. [li]STOP. Back away slowly if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright. [li]DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children along, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run. [li]If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. You want to convince the lion you are not prey and that you may, in fact, be a danger to it. [li]FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and bare hands. Remain standing or try to get back up. [li]When you walk or hike in potential mountain lion country, GO IN GROUPS and MAKE PLENTY OF NOISE to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick can be used to ward off a lion. Make sure children are close and within sight at all times. Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they see one. [/li][/ul]
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