Posted on 11/12/2007 4:14:44 PM PST by george76
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 other hunters who helped him to reach his car.
The hunter began driving back to Kalispell and notified relatives, who met him with assistance.
At the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, the man received five stitches for cuts to his leg from the lions claws.
He also was treated for scratches on his back and shoulder and a few puncture wounds to the back of his head.
The hunters backpack, which was shredded, probably prevented the lion from causing more serious injuries...
In 1989, a lion killed a 5-year-old boy in Evaro. In 1990, there was a rash of encounters between people and lions in western Montana.
In the 1990s, lions were sighted in Missoula proper, including one that stalked a small child and one that was captured in a basement, both in the lower Rattlesnake residential area.
In 1998, a lion attacked a small boy near Marshall Mountain Ski Area before it was fought off by a 16-year-old camp counselor.
(Excerpt) Read more at missoulian.com ...
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Another documented attack.
Darwin award pontential, there. Still, I'm glad he survived. Next time I suggest he just shoot the damn thing and avoid all the pain of claw and punture wounds.
Are these on the rise?
I’ve heard one before. The noise is pretty damn scary.
“Are these on the rise?
“
Probably. Humans and coming into more empty territory where they roam.
Perhaps he forgot the little Brass Bells ?
This must have been the famous hunter, John French sKerry.
Yes.
Lots of new DOW rules against traditional hunting practices...
Well, that gives me an idea on how to answer Frank Bacik's question (see para. 12)
I’m glad the hunter fared well. That said, I’ve always been frustrated because for all the woods bumming I’ve done in my life, I’ve never seen a cougar or a grizzly in the wild. I’d certainly want to be armed when I did, but I would very much love to see those animals outside someday.
I was thinking the same thing, what kind of a hunter drops his rifle and hides behind a tree?
Needless to say we concluded our nature hike right there.
FYI:
http://www.freedominion.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=90451
A Walk in the Woods......I’m Not “Lion”....
We have seen several. No telling how many saw us that we did not see.
OK... I see two problems right off the bat.
I wouldn't be so quick to pass judgment here...
I’m not sure of your point. This is Montana. You can buy a MT lion tag over the counter. It’s not like were not hunting them. Sh!t Happens.
Damn humans........!!
There are many ways to empty those trees.
This would be a good one.
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