Mind the big cats!
Mountain Lions are known to climb trees in order to keep better vantage points on parts of the territory that they are occupying, however a common misconception is that they like to attack from these vantage points. Mountain Lions may leap from a high hiding place to build up speed for an attack, but at the point of impact they prefer to keep their hind legs on the ground for balance and, if necessary, a quick escape.
IDFG
WALLACE — Social media has been abuzz locally with reported sightings of mountain lions, particularly in the Nine Mile, Burke, and Woodland Park areas.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) referred the Shoshone News-Press to a brochure that IDFG had published concerning how to coexist with the big cats, including some safety tips for locals to follow.
Mountain lions have exceptionally large home ranges that can be anywhere from 50 to 350 square miles and can overlap with other lions’ territory if the lion in question is male.
That means any number of mountain lions could be inhabiting the 2,635 square miles that encompasses Shoshone County.
IDFG has several tips for how to avoid and/or how to react if you encounter a big cats.
• Don’t feed wildlife, including deer, raccoons or other small animals. All are lion prey species and may attract mountain lions.
• Feed pets indoors if possible. Pet food left outdoors may attract mountain lions or lion prey, such as racoons.
• Manage garbage to avoid attracting lion prey. Don’t leave garbage out at night, use cans with tight fitting lids.
• Avoid landscaping that attracts deer and provides hiding places for lions.
• Close off spaces beneath decks, porches, or sheds that can be used by mountain lions and lion prey species.
• Keep outdoor animals in a secure pen that includes a wire roof. Some dog breeds may help deter a mountain lion.
• Keep small pets indoors, especially from dawn to dusk.
• Supervise children when they are outdoors.
Should anyone encounter a mountain lion there are some very basic tips for how to handle that situation.
• Do not run
• If you are with children, pick them up without bending over.
• Do not turn your back on the lion, crouch down, or try to hide.
• Remain facing the lion and slowly back away. Leave the animal an escape route.
• Try to appear as large as possible—stand on a rock or stump, hold up your arms, stand next to others.
• Shout, wave your arms, and throw objects if the lion does not leave the area.
• Fight back if a mountain lion attacks. Stay on your feet and use sticks, rocks, back- pack, hands to fight back. Use bear spray if you have it.
• Never approach a mountain lion or offer it food.
“We have a healthy population of mountain lions in the Panhandle,” A representative from IDFG said. “Since these animals are pretty secretive and nocturnal, sightings in town are not particularly common but not surprising either. It may be the nicer weather has people outside more- this increases the chances of seeing a lion and the possibility that more people out in the woods could bump an animal into a new area.”
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game asks that if anyone sees a mountain lion that they contact the IDFG Regional Office at 208-769-1414.