You are correct. Mountain lions that live in suburban or rural populated areas have been forced to live there by their over population, thus they lose their fear of man and those are the lions who become problems.
The only practical way of hunting lions is with hounds and if hounds are allowed to be used in those areas it solves the vast majority of lion problems.
I have hunted deer and elk over forty years in prime cougar country in three states and not once have I had the privilege of seeing a cougar. In that type country they've not lost their fear of man.
I have seen a total of 3 mountain lions (not in captivity). Two were in residential areas, and one was on a well traveled paved road. It was looking at 2 deer a hundred yards away, also on the road. Since the deer could also see the cat, and a cougar is unlikely to catch a deer with that much head start, I conclude that the cat was not functioning normally.
Since all three sitings were in HOT weather, my theory is that Cougars sometimes become deranged by excess heat. If that is so, those so affected will be much more dangerous to humans than healthy ones, who are “cool” enough to keep out of sight.
DG