Mountain lions in Bates County?

The killing of a mountain lion in Ray County, Mo. last week has spurred a lot of talk lately- to include hearsay that a mountain lion or two has also been spotted in our own back yard. One reported sighting a few years back was a couple of miles East of Amsterdam, where a big cat was seen crossing the highway. Another one was East of Merwin just North of CC highway. Supposedly one was spotted rummaging through a trash dumpster in the same general area.

Just ask and eventually someone you talk to will say they have heard of a cougar sighting in Bates County over the years. Add to that stories of unexplained dead or missing calves and other livestock- and it all seems to make sense.

The mountain lion killed in Ray County weighed about 115 lbs and was found hiding in a tree by a couple of coon hunters. The landowner shot the big cat without hesitation, making it the 12th confirmed mountain lion sighting since 1994.

According to Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer of Columbia, Mo., most of the bodies of recovered Missouri mountain lions were males. Young males are the most mobile mountain lions, because they typically leave their birth areas to establish territories not already occupied by adult males. This is consistent with biologists' theory that the cats are coming into Missouri from other states. Beringer said there is no evidence of reproduction for mountain lions in Missouri to date. This indicates that Missouri does not have a self-sustaining mountain lion population.

Since Northwest Nebraska is the area nearest Missouri with an established mountain lion population, we could certainly expect to see more of them in the future.

So what are the rules for killing a mountain lion in Missouri? Lets check Wildlife Code 3 CSR 10-4.130:

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.