Missouri Hunter Kills Rare Mountain Lion: What You Need to Know
Mountain Lion Killed by Missouri Deer Hunter
A Missouri deer hunter killed a mountain lion on November 18, as reported by the Missouri Department of Conservation on social media. The incident took place in Iron County, approximately 90 miles south of St. Louis. Conservation agents are currently investigating the matter, and further details are not available at this time.
Mountain Lion Sightings in Missouri
Missouri has recorded 120 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 1996. Only two of these occurred in the Kansas City area. In recent years, notable incidents included a mountain lion hit by a car in Franklin County and a sighting in Shannon County in 2017. Despite these sightings, experts believe there is no breeding population of mountain lions in Missouri, as there is insufficient evidence of reproduction.
What to Do If You See a Mountain Lion
Officials state that interactions between humans and mountain lions are rare. Many sightings result from trail cameras without human presence. Mountain lions tend to avoid people and do not pose a significant danger compared to other everyday risks.
If you encounter a mountain lion, the National Park Service suggests you:
- Stand your ground.
- Make yourself appear larger.
- Speak loudly.
- Throw objects in the animal’s direction.
Avoid bending down, running away, or approaching the lion. These actions can prevent the mountain lion from viewing you as prey. There has never been evidence of mountain lions attacking people, pets, or livestock in Missouri.
To report a suspected mountain lion sighting in Missouri, email the Department of Conservation’s Large Carnivore Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.