Mdc Confirms Mountain Lion Report In Macon County

[Stoneroller]

ATLANTA, Mo.–The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed the presence of a mountain lion in northern Macon County, based on photos of tracks taken by a landowner.

Rex Martensen, a member of the Conservation Department’s Mountain Lion Response Team (MLRT), said the landowner found large, cat-like tracks in a muddy creek bed while hunting mushrooms. He was near the town of Economy, northeast of Long Branch Lake, on April 20. The man took photos of the tracks and sent them to Private Land Conservationist Ted Seiler.

Rain washed away the tracks before a member of the MLRT could visit the site. However, Martensen said the tracks in the photo closely match the characteristics of mountain lion tracks. He said the MLRT needed no further evidence to confirm the presence of a mountain lion.

Martensen said one thing that stood out in the photos was the lack of claw marks.

“Even if a dog has well-worn toenails, as deep as these tracks went into the mud, you would have seen those pretty clear.”

Martensen said the Conservation Department is not trying to find the mountain lion that left the tracks. However, he said the MLRT wants to know when and where mountain lions appear in Missouri and is particularly interested in reports that involve photos, tracks, hair or other physical evidence.

Evidence from other confirmed mountain lion sightings in the past 20 years suggests that the big cats are coming to Missouri from other states where mountain lion populations have been growing. Martensen said mountain lions might show up in Missouri with increasing frequency as populations in northwest Nebraska and other western states continue to grow and expand.

Many unanswered questions remain about mountain lions in Missouri. In an attempt to answer these questions, the Conservation Department established the MLRT to review citizen reports thoroughly.

“We don’t know what mountain lions do or where they go when they get here,” said Martensen, “so pieces of the puzzle like this report are interesting and very helpful to us.”

For more information about mountain lions in Missouri, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/node/3505.

To contact the MLRT send an email to mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov. You can send photos, video or physical evidence to Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer, 573-882-9909, ext. 3211; Private Land Services Supervisor Rex Martensen, 573-522-4115, ext. 3147; or Wildlife Programs Supervisor Shawn Gruber, 573-522-4115, ext. 3262.

[Stoneroller]

JEFFERSON CITY– According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the chances of encountering a mountain lion in Missouri is very, very small—almost nonexistent. People, pets and livestock are at much greater risk from automobiles, stray dogs and lightning strikes than they are from mountain lions. However, if you do encounter a mountain lion in the wild, take the following actions. These tips also could be useful to Missourians who travel to states with breeding populations of mountain lions.

• STOP. Back away slowly if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a cougar’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the animal, stand upright and maintain eye contact.

• DO NOT APPROACH A MOUNTAIN LION, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions try to avoid confrontations. Give them a way to escape.

• STAY CALM. Talk to the cat in a calm, but firm voice.

• DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one.

• THROW STONES, branches, or whatever you can get your hands on if the cougar behaves aggressively.

• DO NOT CROUCH DOWN or turn your back on the mountain lion.

• WAVE YOUR ARMS slowly and speak firmly. You want to convince the lion that you are not prey and that you may, in fact, be a danger to it.

• FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks. Mountain lions have been driven away by people who fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and bare hands. A sturdy walking stick can be used to ward off a mountain lion.

• REMAIN STANDING or try to get back up if you are attacked.

• GO IN GROUPS when you walk, hike or bike in states with established mountain lion populations.

• MAKE PLENTY OF NOISE to reduce your chances of surprising a lion.

• KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE and within sight at all times and pick up small children so they won’t panic and run.

• TALK WITH CHILDREN about lions and teach them what to do if they see one.

[Stoneroller]

I'm happy to see that MDC has ALSO issued an article talking about what to do if you were to encounter a Mt Lion. I do think their last tip, should be the first one on the list.

[flytyer57]

I'm happy to see that MDC has ALSO issued an article talking about what to do if you were to encounter a Mt Lion. I do think their last tip, should be the first one on the list.

I thought the first thing you should do is shoot it like the last two reported sightings.

[NoLuck]

For mountain lions being unlikely to attack, there sure are plenty of ways that they have come up with to keep one from attacking you. LOL Almost makes it seem to me that it is more likely to attack than not attack by the amount of things that you should NOT do. LOL

[ColdWaterFshr]

Funny stuff indeed. I thought the last comment was classic, "TALK WITH CHILDREN about lions and teach them what to do if they see one. "

Uh, kids, even though we are camping here at Montauk State Park where the population density is greater than anywhere in urban St. Louis, I want you to be aware that there could possibly be mountain lions around, and you should never run from them, and you should make yourself bigger and fight back. Any questions? Okay, go crawl in your sleeping bag and get some shut-eye. :D

[Tim Smith]

Funny stuff indeed. I thought the last comment was classic, "TALK WITH CHILDREN about lions and teach them what to do if they see one. "

Uh, kids, even though we are camping here at Montauk State Park where the population density is greater than anywhere in urban St. Louis, I want you to be aware that there could possibly be mountain lions around, and you should never run from them, and you should make yourself bigger and fight back. Any questions? Okay, go crawl in your sleeping bag and get some shut-eye. :D

I thought the point of being outdoors was to keep the pioneer spirit alive?

80 attacks in 10 years with literally millions of encounters.

You'd be a vastly better parent to warn them about the people in the next campground over.

[Danimal]

A FEMALE mtn lion was captured just outside of Tulsa, Ok. a couple of weeks ago. Dan-o

[ollie]

Ok, what's the deal here? We have had how many sightings in the last few months? Why didn't we see this many 5 years ago? Has man got better at spotting them or is man now in every corner of the country where the lion cannot hide? It just seems like this year all of a sudden we have encountered more than history or the last 40 or something years! Just amazing.

[jdmidwest]

I thought the point of being outdoors was to keep the pioneer spirit alive?

80 attacks in 10 years with literally millions of encounters.

You'd be a vastly better parent to warn them about the people in the next campground over.

The Pioneer Spirit is alive, carry a gun and shoot them...