Mountain lion attacks hunter in Swan area
A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday morning in the Squeezer Creek area of the Swan drainage, and was treated for scratches and puncture wounds, but his backpack was credited with saving him from more serious injury.
FWP Warden Chuck Bartos is investigating the incident and said the hunter is lucky he wasn't more seriously injured.
According to Bartos, early Sunday morning, the hunter left his car and was several miles in on a trail when he heard what sounded like the scream of a mountain lion. A short time later, he heard a growl and turned to see the mountain lion only 10-15 feet away.
The man dropped his rifle and rushed to get behind a tree. The lion quickly caught up and pounced on the hunter's back, knocking him into the tree. The collision caused the lion to lose its grip and the hunter was able to reach his pistol and fire a shot. The noise of the shot spooked the lion and it ran away. As the lion ran, the hunter fired several more shots in the lion's general direction.
The man then picked up his rifle and made his way back down the trail. He met several other hunters who assisted him in reaching his vehicle. The injured hunter began driving back to Kalispell and notified relatives, who met him with assistance.
According to Bartos, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center the man received five stitches for cuts to his leg made by the lion's claws. The injured man was also treated for scratches on his back, shoulder and a few puncture wounds to the back of his head.
According to Bartos, the hunter's backpack probably prevented the lion from causing more serious injuries. Bartos said that the hunter's backpack was shredded, reflecting the protection it provided.
FWP Wildlife Manager Jim Williams said these types of attacks are unfortunate but extremely uncommon.
"Given the number of people who recreate in the forests of northwest Montana, and the number of lions, there's always lots of potential for an encounter. But even considering this potential, documented attacks are extremely rare."
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Erik Wenum points out that during hunting season, the chances of a mountain lion encounter increase because hunters use various ways to attract deer by rattling antlers and using grunt and doe-in-estrus calls. He notes that hunters using these techniques should be especially vigilant because a lion could easily be drawn in, looking for prey.
Wenum notes that there is no response to a mountain lion that can guarantee a person's safety. But based on the best available information, he lists the following:
? Do not run from a lion. Move slowly and try to back away from the lion;
? When you hike in lion country, make enough noise to avoid surprising a lion;
? Keep youngsters close and in sight at all times;
? Never approach a mountain lion. Give the lion a way out of a close situation;
? If you encounter a lion, stay calm. Talk to the lion in a confident voice;
? Do not turn your back on a mountain lion. Maintain eye contact and face the lion. Remain in an upright position. Let the lion know that you are not a deer, which is the lion's chief prey in northwest Montana;
? Do all you can to enlarge your image; Do not crouch down;
? If a lion behaves aggressively, arm yourself with a large stick, rock, or other object and face the lion. If the lion attacks, remain standing and fight back with whatever object you have;
? Pepper spray also is very effective in deterring a mountain lion attack.
Wenum says that this is the first documented lion attack resulting in injury in northwest Montana in many years. He adds that all of northwest Montana is lion country and asks that all residents report any mountain lion incidents to FWP. An incident would include a lion demonstrating any unnatural behavior, such as showing no concern or reaction to the presence of people, or acting aggressively towards people or pets.
Wenum also points out that artificial feeding of deer can concentrate the animals, draw in mountain lions, and create an unsafe situation for the resident and neighbors.
"Once you establish a regular feeding regimen, deer movements become predictable and the deer are more vulnerable to predation," he says. "Mountain lions can quickly key in on this and move closer to residences."
He added that as deer congregate on their traditional wintering areas, rural residents can expect to see more mountain lion sign. Cougars follow the annual movements of white-tailed and mule deer to lower elevation areas, placing the big cats in closer proximity to people.