Another Mountain Lion Shot

[3wt]

I'd like to know just how it was shot and what with. If you tell me a hunting rifle then I say prosecute. If it's a handgun or shotgun then I can buy that a landowner was somehow accidently close enough to be legitimately threatened and used the weapon they carry for protection against it. But honestly, I don't think most landowners in this state do carry a sidearm when out on the property. What are they protecting against?

Chances are this was found on a camera hunted and shot with a long range rifle. And if that is the case I say prosecute.

[Wayne SW/MO]

It's ignorant and even the MDC should be smart enough to know that stats from areas where they are thick don't point to any danger to the general public.

[ness]

I suppose all this criticism of MDC was inevitable. But the problem lies with the fact that there are no witnesses to refute the claim, and that endangering livestock or humans isn't easily proven anyway. MDC is just working with what they've got, which ain't much. They're not going to be able to do a freakin' CSI-style investigation on these.

Bottom line is these lions are new to MO and people are scared of them. Folks out west that have lived with them forever are used to them. They know that the vast majority of the time they aren't a danger to people or livestock. Best thing MDC can do now is to educate people.

Eventually someone will get busted, and I bet they bust him hard. We're just gonna have to sit back and wait until that happens. That's what'll make people think twice about pulling the trigger.

[3wt]

I suppose all this criticism of MDC was inevitable. But the problem lies with the fact that there are no witnesses to refute the claim, and that endangering livestock or humans isn't easily proven anyway. MDC is just working with what they've got, which ain't much. They're not going to be able to do a freakin' CSI-style investigation on these.

Bottom line is these lions are new to MO and people are scared of them. Folks out west that have lived with them forever are used to them. They know that the vast majority of the time they aren't a danger to people or livestock. Best thing MDC can do now is to educate people.

Eventually someone will get busted, and I bet they bust him hard. We're just gonna have to sit back and wait until that happens. That's what'll make people think twice about pulling the trigger.

I think it would be pretty tough to claim defense if you shot the thing with a hunting rifle.

[ness]

Trigger-happy redneck: 'I was doing target practice/hunting deer/sighting my rifle/ when this vicious mountain lion charged right at me.'

CA: 'But he's been shot in the butt.'

THR: 'First shot missed.'

CA: 'Have a nice day.'

[Trout Commander]

Trigger-happy redneck: 'I was doing target practice/hunting deer/sighting my rifle/ when this vicious mountain lion charged right at me.'

CA: 'But he's been shot in the butt.'

THR: 'First shot missed.'

CA: 'So you admit you killed the animal while it was running away? Here is your ticket. Have a nice day.'

Good point Ness!

[Trout Commander]

Two can play that game, bub.

Hey where'd your post go? I was going to play along. :lol:

[ness]

Hah! Figured somebody would take it wrong. Want me to put it back?

[troutfiend1985]

I suppose all this criticism of MDC was inevitable. But the problem lies with the fact that there are no witnesses to refute the claim, and that endangering livestock or humans isn't easily proven anyway. MDC is just working with what they've got, which ain't much. They're not going to be able to do a freakin' CSI-style investigation on these.

Bottom line is these lions are new to MO and people are scared of them. Folks out west that have lived with them forever are used to them. They know that the vast majority of the time they aren't a danger to people or livestock. Best thing MDC can do now is to educate people.

Eventually someone will get busted, and I bet they bust him hard. We're just gonna have to sit back and wait until that happens. That's what'll make people think twice about pulling the trigger.

Nessy, the problem is with the law itself. You're right, it's hard to prove endangering livestock or humans, but that is not the flaw of the MDC, it's a flaw in their statutes. However, I would think that a different law, one which flat out bans killing of mountain lions unless grave bodily harm is imminent and shown would suffice. Obviously, a lot more thought has to go into than a 2 minute posts allows, but there has to be some sort of burden switch here, like in criminal cases where a person wants to claim self defense, it is on the defendant to prove that it was self defense, not the prosecutors job to shoot it down preliminarily.

Anyways, we may never have a good standard unless MDC prosecutes one of these things.

[ness]

Yeah -- take a look at my factious post above and my serious one above that. Who's gonna be able to prove a vicious polecat didn't try to attack me? Or refute that my little kitten was eaten alive by one of these blood-thirsty monsters?

MDC is feeling their way through this and giving the benefit of the doubt where they can't prove otherwise. Sooner or later some knucklehead will blow his story, go to jail or get a hefty fine. In the meantime, the new will wear off, THR's will realize these things really don't pose a threat (like the folks out west do) and leave them the hell alone. It takes time.

Relax.

Go shopping for some new rubber-soled boots.

Peace out.