The "working man" predator hunts throughout the watershed

Bears are not the only large predators that come in close to homes. Mountain lions are strong predators who live a secluded existence, following their prey and hunting day to day far and wide throughout Montana.

Felis concolor is a large American feline and means cougar, catamount or panther, more commonly known as the mountain lion. They range from Canada to South America and are common predators throughout the Swan, Clearwater and Blackfoot watersheds.

According to the Montana Chapter of Wildlife Society, from January 1998 to December 2006 more than 120 lions were caught in the Blackfoot watershed. This included 82 kittens and 39 juveniles and adults. They collared 117 before releasing them.

Mountain lions are territorial, solitary, nocturnal and crepuscular which means they are active at dawn and dusk as well as in the night; although they have also been seen during daytime. While at the top of the food chain, they are hardworking predators that other animals follow. Wolves, foxes, birds and bears will follow lions and scavenge off their kill.

MT FWP bear and lion management specialist James Jonkel said mountain lions cycle with the baseline of their prey, which includes deer and elk. When game is plentiful, survival is uncomplicated for the mountain lion.

In mild winters most wildlife prosper including the mountain lion. During hard winters lions eat well feeding off large winter killed animals. The following summer is harder on them because there is less prey available.

"This is when you see a pulse of conflict," said Jonkel.

According to FWP, mountain lions are at carrying capacity within the watershed. Jonkel said this means the population is in balance with mother nature. However, mountain lions, especially young ones, can come closer to the wildland urban interface (WUI) when they are hungry and desperate. When they discover other food sources like domestic animals they will depredate because the fare is easier than hunting.

Jonkel said that mountain lions may kill in the forest and get a meal or two off of it and then be chased away. "Two coyotes can chase off a mountain lion," he said. The same situation can happen if a lion kills near residences; it may get to eat once or twice but then when the carcass is removed that food source is gone.

Mountain lions hunt on a daily basis and if they miss meals for more than 14 days they get hungry. Jonkel said, "Lions are the working man, working hard at hunting [surviving] on a daily basis."

Jonkel said, "In the animal world there are pockets of wildness." These are places where wildlife is plentiful and together in a habitat.

At times, humans have influence over these areas and unnatural game pockets are created such as grain and alfalfa fields, orchards and garbage.

Encounters can occur when mountain lions venture into these agricultural or residential areas.

During an encounter the best thing to do is stand your ground, said Jonkel. They can be easy to "buffalo," he added.

If they are flicking their tails, their ears are back and they are coming toward you, be dominant. "Bring your kids closer to you," he said. Act aggressively and know that bear spray works great for lions. Do not cower, run or scream.

At times the mountain lion has a case of mistaken prey identity, which means it may hunt prey looking animals by either sight or sound. Jonkel said peacocks and children can sound like cubs squalling or predator calls that hunters use.

Along the WUI, food is good for deer and elk so people should expect mountain lions there as well.

Livestock owners can use electric fence around their animal pens to lessen depredation and protect their resources. Wildlife education is part of being safe, especially for people moving into new areas.

House cat management can also be key in lion safety because when domestic cats urinate the lion may come check out the competition and end up with a meal. Mountain lions will competitively mark smells with house cats.

"It doesn't take much to start a lion up," said Jonkel. Mountain lions can become habituated to food sources if people set out salt licks or feed deer and elk.

There are different mountain lion hunting seasons for houndsmen and hunters. Some run lions with their dogs and tree them while others harvest them. The archery season for lion is without hounds and runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 14. The fall season runs from Oct. 20 to Nov. 25 without hounds. Hunters can use their hounds during the two winter seasons from Dec. 1 to April 14.

Hound training is for MT residents only and is from Dec 2 to April 14.

To stay safe in lion country Jonkel recommends using common sense and staying alert and watchful during dawn, dusk, amongst elk and deer and when in the backcountry.

"Assume [mountain] lions are in your neighborhood."