Man walking with wife shoots mountain lion near New Castle
Rocky Mountain News ^ | August 7, 2008 | Phillip Yates

Posted on 08/07/2008 12:35:06 PM PDT by MtnClimber

NEW CASTLE — A man shot and killed a mountain lion north of New Castle Tuesday night after the animal came too close to him and his wife, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Randy Hampton, a spokesman for the DOW, said the agency received a call about the shooting a little after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The man and his wife were out for a walk in the area when the mountain lion came out of the brush and was in a "crouch position," Hampton said. The couple's names were not immediately available late Wednesday.

"(The mountain lion) began to approach them," he said. "The husband was carrying a firearm, and he shot and killed the lion as it got really close."

The animal was about 6 feet away from the couple when the man shot it, Hampton said. He added that the couple tried to scare the mountain lion away by screaming at it, but that the animal continued to approach.


(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...

Yep, we've got that problem here in California also because no lion hunting is allowed.

Fjold
What would happen if that same thing happened in California?
I bet the man would be up on charges over carrying a firearm, destruction of a non huntable animal, on and on, thank god this was in Colorado.

I have seen two in the last 3 months. Other folks in the area have also seen them. On another occasion one was found sleeping on a deck, and was very reluctant to leave.

California's ban on hunting mountain lions has resulted in cats that have no fear of humans. This will have serious consequences

Thank God he had a gun! Also knew how to shoot it under pressure. A nother happy ending! Seems to many of these encounters aren't good for the humans now days. Glad I still live in a state where I can carry a gun at will.
MM

I don't think I would have let it get that close before I would have shot it.

How heavy is a large mountain lion? Have they always been native to North America? The only cats we have in my part of the world are domestic gone feral. Thankfully they are classified as vermin and can be shot. Unfortunately there are far too many of the shitty creatures around. Good cat = Dead cat!!

The mountain lion [cougar, puma ,etc] is native to North and South America .The largest I know of was posted here IIRC, 220 lbs ,from BC. Certainly not a feral house cat !! Between not hunting them and continued expansion of people into their normal range conflict has increased. Their typical diet is deer but will take dogs ,cats etc. The Americas also have bobcat, lynx, jaguar and a few others.

I have never shot a mt.lion, would a typical ccw(380acp, 9mm) with defense ammo kill a large cat? Would it stop a full charge?

Perry

The 9mm would do just fine the 380 as with using it for any defensive purpose one has to be very careful with shot placement.

Sure in the heck would be a rock or hiking staff.

"typial ccw of 9mm or 380"? Heck I carry a .44 mag or a .45acp. Are you positive you are from Texas??

Mountain lions cannot be hunted with dogs in WA anymore.

I have never seen one, but I found some cat tracks in the snow on my property. The tracks were wider than my hand.

I saw one in the wild when I was a kid, scared the crap out of me.

I heard one while bird hunting when I was in college in Central Texas, scared the crap out of me. Even though I was carrying a 12 ga. I got the hell out of there in a hurry.

You had better be carrying more than a 9mm or hit him in the melon...

PDS,

I agree, this guy waited to long to shoot. He was very lucky.............

Bob

Folks need to remember their 3 - S's

Shoot - Shovel - Shutup

I've shot feral house cats with 380 and 9mm , not impressed.I would NEVER recommend anything other than a 44 mag for mountain lions !!

Bob, you are correct sir...

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/mountainlion2007.asp

quote:

Originally posted by perry:
I have never shot a mt.lion, would a typical ccw(380acp, 9mm) with defense ammo kill a large cat? Would it stop a full charge?

Perry

Cougars are just big puddy-cats.......

.22 rimfires are often the choice for treed lions, but a 32 SW would be just the ticket--it generally doesn't take much to change a lion's mind--a big stick or rock will often do in a pinch.

It is highly unusual for a cougar to act the way it did when it confronted the Colorado couple. Often it turns out to be very old, or a juvenile/sub-adult that ain't having much hunting success.




Casey

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
Mountain lions cannot be hunted with dogs in WA anymore.

I have never seen one, but I found some cat tracks in the snow on my property. The tracks were wider than my hand.

Actually, lions can be hunted with dogs in 5 counties in Washington (by permit drawing) and any county who wishes to allow hound hunting may join the hound hunting program by meeting a few criteria with WDFW.....

IV

quote:

METE - "I would NEVER recommend anything other than a 44 mag for mountain lions."

Mete, a .41 Magnum, a .45 Colt, or a .357 Magnum will do just fine. I prefer either my .41 Magnum or .45 Colt.

Mountain lions are not that terribly hard to break down.

L.W.