Can You Legally Shoot A Mountain Lion?

[oneshot 1]

I just lost 3 Chickens and because I was lazy not shutting them up at night my fault. I'm thinking it was Coons.

Was told by my neighbors that everyone is losing Chickens to a Mountain Lion that several have seen. 

Question if a person has a Mountain Lion trying to get at stock can it legally be shot?

oneshot 

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, oneshot 1 said:

I just lost 3 Chickens and because I was lazy not shutting them up at night my fault. I'm thinking it was Coons.

Was told by my neighbors that everyone is losing Chickens to a Mountain Lion that several have seen. 

Question if a person has a Mountain Lion trying to get at stock can it legally be shot?

oneshot 

              Yes, but you better be darned sure you have the proof.  Put your best layer in its mouth making sure the teeth have made an impression in the chicken. Be sure not to leave any fingerprints on the chicken. I hear MDC has a pretty good CSI squad 😁.

Mountain Lions May be Killed Under Certain Circumstances

Although there are no hunting or trapping seasons for mountain lions in Missouri, the “Owner May Protect Property; Public Safety” rule specifies that mountain lions may be killed under certain circumstances:

(6) Mountain lions may be killed without prior permission if they are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or if they are threatening human safety. Any mountain lion killed under this rule must be reported immediately to an agent of the Department and the intact mountain lion carcass, including pelt, must be surrendered to the agent within twenty-four (24) hours.

[tjm]

3 CSR 10-4.130 Owner May Protect Property; Public Safety

(1) Subject to federal regulations governing the protection of property from migratory birds, any wildlife except deer, turkey, black bears, mountain lions and any endangered species which beyond reasonable doubt is damaging property may be captured or killed by the owner of the property being damaged, or by his/her representative, at any time and without permit, but only by shooting or trapping except by written authorization of the director or, for avian control, of his/her designee. Wildlife may be so controlled only on the owner’s property to prevent further damage.

(6) Mountain lions may be killed without prior permission if they are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or if they are threatening human safety. Any mountain lion killed under this rule must be reported immediately to an agent of the department and the intact mountain lion carcass, including pelt, must be surrendered to the agent within twenty-four (24) hours.

[fishinwrench]

Your neighbors are crackheads.🙄 Mountain lions don't have time for 3 backyard chickens.   More likely a hawk, fox, or feral cats. 

Did they all disappear on the same night?  No piles of feathers and blood?

[tjm]

If you have neighbors and three birds disappear on the same night, sort through  the neighbor's trash for feathers and feet.

 

[oneshot 1]

Well I know of one guy that lost about 20 Chickens and one that lost a Pig. I now have Goats.

There is pictures of this Cat all around here and people think it is killing Chickens because they are easy. 

I really think mine were killed by Coons but you never know. 

Had a Bear hanging around but haven't seen it for awhile. 

oneshot 

[tjm]

An old time pro trapper like yourself knows cat tracks from raccoon scat. You also know to close the coop at night.

[laker67]

30 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Your neighbors are crackheads.🙄 Mountain lions don't have time for 3 backyard chickens.   More likely a hawk, fox, or feral cats. 

Did they all disappear on the same night?  No piles of feathers and blood?

Possums will get them too.  

 

[Terrierman]

20 minutes ago, laker67 said:

Possums will get them too.  

 

They are harder on chickens than even a professional coon.

[oneshot 1]

39 minutes ago, tjm said:

An old time pro trapper like yourself knows cat tracks from raccoon scat. You also know to close the coop at night.

Well I got lazy and quit closing.  I did more looking around where it got in. Never thought about a Cat.

oneshot