New Info On The Mt Lion Shooting Has Surfaced

[Stoneroller]

Hunter admits shooting mountain lion in Ray County

Statewide

Published on: Jan. 11, 2011

Posted by Jim Low

RICHMOND, Mo.–A Ray County man has admitted that he, not a cattleman, shot a mountain lion on Jan. 2. Conservation officials say the admission brings their investigation to a close, and there will be no charges, because the shooter feared for his life.

James “Jimmy” McElwee, 29, of Camden, admitted he shot the 115-pound mountain lion while hunting raccoons in rural Ray County. His confession followed the admission by Bob Littleton, 60, of Richmond, that his initial claim of shooting the mountain lion was false.

“Mr. Littleton only said he shot the mountain lion to protect Mr. McElwee,” said Larry Yamnitz, Protection Division chief with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). “Based on the outcome of our agent’s investigation, no charges will be filed in this case.”

According to Yamnitz, McElwee admitted to the shooting, saying he feared for his life.

“He followed his dogs up a draw and shined a light up into a tree and saw eyes that were too far apart for a raccoon,” said Yamnitz. “When he realized it was a mountain lion, he was afraid to run, thinking it might attack him.”

After killing the cat, McElwee and his hunting partner and father-in-law, Larry Danner, 52, of Richmond, contacted Littleton, who offered to take responsibility for shooting the mountain lion.

Yamnitz said everyone would have been better off if all parties involved had told the truth from the beginning.

“The true circumstances of the incident were more clearly within the provisions of the Wildlife Code than the story they made up,” said Yamnitz. “Based on the evidence and statements by all the parties involved, you can make the case of self-defense. There will be no charges.”

The Ray County mountain lion showed no signs of having been held in captivity and was in good health. MDC is conducting DNA tests to learn more about its origins and determine if it is the same animal photographed by a landowner in southern Platte County Nov. 26

The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a protected species under the Wildlife Code. The Code allows the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. Anyone who kills a mountain lion is required by law to report the incident to the MDC immediately. The intact carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered to MDC within 24 hours.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

For more information on mountain lions

[EddieRay]

I thought the story about the hunter handing the landowner the gun to shoot the cat was rather odd. So I guess this calls into question the rest of their story as well about the evidence that the cougar was attacking his livestock.

[Trout Commander]

Hunter admits shooting mountain lion in Ray CountyStatewidePublished on: Jan. 11, 2011Posted by Jim LowRICHMOND, Mo.–A Ray County man has admitted that he, not a cattleman, shot a mountain lion on Jan. 2. Conservation officials say the admission brings their investigation to a close, and there will be no charges, because the shooter feared for his life.James “Jimmy” McElwee, 29, of Camden, admitted he shot the 115-pound mountain lion while hunting raccoons in rural Ray County. His confession followed the admission by Bob Littleton, 60, of Richmond, that his initial claim of shooting the mountain lion was false.“Mr. Littleton only said he shot the mountain lion to protect Mr. McElwee,” said Larry Yamnitz, Protection Division chief with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). “Based on the outcome of our agent’s investigation, no charges will be filed in this case.”According to Yamnitz, McElwee admitted to the shooting, saying he feared for his life.“He followed his dogs up a draw and shined a light up into a tree and saw eyes that were too far apart for a raccoon,” said Yamnitz. “When he realized it was a mountain lion, he was afraid to run, thinking it might attack him.”After killing the cat, McElwee and his hunting partner and father-in-law, Larry Danner, 52, of Richmond, contacted Littleton, who offered to take responsibility for shooting the mountain lion.Yamnitz said everyone would have been better off if all parties involved had told the truth from the beginning.“The true circumstances of the incident were more clearly within the provisions of the Wildlife Code than the story they made up,” said Yamnitz. “Based on the evidence and statements by all the parties involved, you can make the case of self-defense. There will be no charges.”The Ray County mountain lion showed no signs of having been held in captivity and was in good health. MDC is conducting DNA tests to learn more about its origins and determine if it is the same animal photographed by a landowner in southern Platte County Nov. 26The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a protected species under the Wildlife Code. The Code allows the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. Anyone who kills a mountain lion is required by law to report the incident to the MDC immediately. The intact carcass, including the pelt, must be surrendered to MDC within 24 hours.To report a sighting, physical evidence or other incident, contact a local MDC office or conservation agent, or email MDC’s Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.For more information on mountain lions

James “Jimmy” McElwee, 29, of Camden, needs castrated. I am fearful that he may reproduce.

[Gavin]

No charges, but they have all been exposed publically as a bunch of liars...I'm fine with that.

[Guest]

SO, let me get this straight. He broke the law, then lied about it and there were no charges filed? BULLCRAP.

[eric1978]

Well he's either a liar, and shot the cat just to shoot it...or he's a moron, and put himself in far greater jeopardy by firing a pellet on steroids at a 115 pound animal, which could have easily turned into a real problem for him if the shot wasn't a lethal one.

Either way, I'm with JDC...off with the baby-makers.

[Justin Spencer]

I'd say he just shot it to shoot it, then had to come up with a story. Just goes to show how MDC really doesn't want mountain lions in the state.

[Stoneroller]

this has now very clearly become a case of Obstruction of Justice. By failing to act upon this MDC destroys every ounce of credibility that they have as a taxpayer funded agency tasked with protecting the wildlife and natural resources of the state. A permissive attitude towards the clear and flagrant violation of the law only creates more people willing and motivated to destroy what isn't theirs and they have no right destroying. Keep in mind the wildlife and the resources in this state belong to ALL of the taxpayers of the state. That cat was just as much yours and your childrens' as it was his to shoot for 'being dangerous'. hhmmm wasn't dangerous till you approached the tree to shoot it now was it?

bunch of oxygen thieves...

[ozark trout fisher]

“The true circumstances of the incident were more clearly within the provisions of the Wildlife Code than the story they made up,” said Yamnitz. “Based on the evidence and statements by all the parties involved, you can make the case of self-defense. There will be no charges.”

This is very, very fishy. It sounds like the guy who shot the cat may be changing his story to make sure charges will not be filed. You can't be sure, but that is what I suspect. If nothing else, isn't it illegal to lie to a law enforcement officer? I honestly don't know the answer to that question.

It sounds like these folks have the "shoot any animal that moves" attitude that is so prevalent around these parts. I know all about that attitude, having some extended family members who fully subscribe to it.

It's clear that either the MDC is looking to avoid a fight for some reason or another, or else they do not want mountain lions in Missouri. Seeing as how mountain lions are a native species to Missouri, neither explanation for the way they are handling this is acceptable. Having spent some time in areas where they exist, they are an extremely cool creature and I hope they do re-establish themselves in Missouri-although it looks like it will have to happen without any real protection from the MDC.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Well, JD what do you say now?????