Free Republic

A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday near Kalispell. The hunter told officials he was several miles in on a trail when he heard what sounded like the scream of a mountain lion. A short time later, he heard a growl and turned to see a lion about 10 to 15 feet away. The man dropped his rifle and rushed to get behind a tree. The lion pounced on his back and knocked him into the tree. The collision made the lion lose its grip and the hunter reached his pistol and fired a shot... He met several...

Mother-in-law of shooter says he had no choice but to shoot. A man who shot and killed a mountain lion last week in defense of his puppy should face criminal charges in the incident for "baiting" the animal, a wildlife-advocacy group said Tuesday. Wendy Keefover-Ring, director of the Boulder-based Sinapu Carnivore Protection Program, said state prosecutors should cite Jeremy Kocar for baiting the mountain lion by leaving his dog tied up outside overnight. Kocar also should face charges of shooting a cougar out of hunting season, which runs Nov. 20 through March 31, shooting without a hunting license and animal...

Jennifer Churchill, spokeswoman for the Division of Wildlife, said the mountain lion appears to have lost its fear of humans and is dangerous. Wendy Keefover-Ring of Sinapu said the animal isn't to blame. She said the owner of the horse should not have left it out at night in a pasture in area inhabited by predators.

Mountain lion hunters in Colorado now must pass a proficiency test prior to obtaining a license after unanimous action Thursday by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. The mandatory lion hunter education course, the first such requirement of lion hunters in the nation, is aimed at teaching prospective hunters how to differ between male and female lions and to prevent the overtake of female lions. “This is a monumental decision,” said Wildlife Commission Chairman Tom Burke...“Other states are going to be looking at us and following our lead.” initiated by the predator conservation group Sinapu... the Colorado Outfitters Association, which was concerned...