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A female mountain lion was killed on a ranch in western North Dakota early Sunday morning east of Watford City in the badlands, according to Brent Schwan, state Game and Fish Department district game warden, Watford City.

According to Schwan, the rancher heard a commotion involving his dogs and went to investigate, saw a mountain lion treed about 50 yards from his house, went in the house to get a rifle, and upon returning the lion was on the ground in a confrontation with his dogs. The lion was then shot.

The rancher immediately contacted Schwan, who was on the scene an hour later. Schwan retrieved the carcass and transported it to Dickinson where it is being stored in a freezer until a full examination can occur.

The lion appeared to be a young female weighing approximately 80 pounds. The Game and Fish Department will be doing an analysis of the carcass later this week to obtain all pertinent biological information.

Schwan said the rancher was well within the law in killing the lion. State law specifically allows the killing of mountain lions to protect individuals or their property. The law also requires the Game and Fish Department must be notified - which the rancher did.
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All Im wondering is, what are the odds of a young female lion comming out of a tree to fight 2 or more dogs? Does this story sound slightly fishy?

You're right, I think it's very fishy that the rancher claims to have a tree in western North Dakota.

Cougars will bail out of a tree when they feel like it isn't the "safe" place any longer. I think any mature cougar, (and I think a 80lb cougar is mature) will take on 2 dogs.
Having said this, do I think that the rancher simply killed the cat because it was on his property, and not necessarily threatening his dogs.
YES!

None of us were there, so I don't think we need to speculate or pass judgement on the farmer.

well he did call the G&F instead of just shoveling, I was just wondering if its very common for a cat to bail out of a tree when there are dogs on the ground if it doesnt absolutely have to.

Hers another one from Canada


Canada: Man kills cougar in self-defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
There are 4 comments on this story
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"Late last Thursday, one Lac la Hache resident had the fright of his life when he came face to face with a 175 lb., male cougar, said Conservation Officer Darcy MacPhee." ...

"The fatal encounter began earlier in the day when the man had been cutting down dead pine and noticed that his animals were acting strangely." ...

"MacPhee explained that later that day the man went to retrieve a power-saw ..."

"It was just before dark and he was a bit nervous because of his animals' behaviour, so he took a firearm with him."

"'He just walked a short distance from his house, saw the cougar and said it was 'loping towards him'.'"

"He waited until it was very close and fired one shot and killed it." ...

How is killing a cougar fishy?

Was it a threat right then I dont think so. The question I have is the animal did not show the right level of fear being in a tree in the guys yard. Thats the one that takes down a kid. The animal knew people where there and did not care. I am just glad the guy had dogs.

I agree with Swiftshot.

When a wild animal displays 'what you looking at' behaviour in the presence, or around, people and their habitation, I think you have a problem.

There is a reason animals have incissor and canine teeth and claws. Animals are either prey or predator.

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
How is killing a cougar fishy?

Exactly.

I would expect that a couger in the yard would get shot.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Hers another one from Canada


Canada: Man kills cougar in self-defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
There are 4 comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments


"Late last Thursday, one Lac la Hache resident had the fright of his life when he came face to face with a 175 lb., male cougar, said Conservation Officer Darcy MacPhee." ...

"The fatal encounter began earlier in the day when the man had been cutting down dead pine and noticed that his animals were acting strangely." ...

"MacPhee explained that later that day the man went to retrieve a power-saw ..."

"It was just before dark and he was a bit nervous because of his animals' behaviour, so he took a firearm with him."

"'He just walked a short distance from his house, saw the cougar and said it was 'loping towards him'.'"

"He waited until it was very close and fired one shot and killed it." ...

You're just afraid of everything in the woods aren't you? What a way to live your life....

[You're right, I think it's very fishy that the rancher claims to have a tree in western North Dakota.

quote:

Originally posted by Pegleg:
[You're right, I think it's very fishy that the rancher claims to have a tree in western North Dakota.

BS, I grew up in North Dakota and I can drive you directly to at least 7-8 trees in western ND.

Seriously, if you've never been there you would be suprised at all the trees in the west part of the state.

WHO CARES THAT HE SHOT IT.

some of you need to get your head out it's his business he shot it.

one less deer killer.