LAKE COUNTY — In Lake County, two sightings of mountain lions were recently reported to the Department of Fish and Game. And where there”s a lion, there”s usually a food source leading them along. Deer and other animals such as cats and dogs attract mountain lions into residential areas. Along with avoiding mountain lions, this time of year more deer must skirt traffic as they emerge from fawning grounds.
Authorities say a combination of drought, depreciating food sources, and urban-wildland interface are increasing the numbers of deer and mountain lions near residential areas this summer. A mountain lion attack last week killed a deer in the yard of Record-Bee outdoors columnist Terry Knight, who lives just outside of the Lakeport city limits. Claw marks were visible on the hindquarters of the deer. “They are everywhere here, they wander right through town,” said Knight. “With the drought, the deer are migrating down where there”s water and grass, and the mountain lions and coyote follow.”
Knight said the lions are nocturnal, shy animals that will 90 percent of the time leave humans alone. Most of the lions spotted are young males between 80-110 pounds who are driven out of the forests by territorial adult male lions that have a home range of up to 100 square miles and will often kill younger male lions that cross into their range. These lions prey primarily on cats, dogs, deer, and other wildlife, but as a precaution, children should be kept in sight as anything small that runs can seem like prey to a lion.
Fish and Game warden Loren Freeman said that here in Lake County, humans live in the mountain lions” prime habitat. “You have the lake in the center, and the majority of the real estate buts up to national forests, BLM land or greenbelt area. They are a protected species so you can”t shoot them. What you need to do is report sightings,” said Freeman.
The number to call to report mountain lion sightings is dispatch number 998-9208.
The DFG estimates approximately 300 mountain lions live in Lake County, but the number is based on sightings and could be more. “Usually what you”re going to see is the tail, and that”s what you want. It”s when they”re giving you signs that they”re not going to back down that you need to pay attention because they can kill you,” said Freeman.
According to Freeman and other experts, if a mountain lion does cross your path this summer, the thing to do is to make yourself appear larger, face the mountain lion, do not run away – which can trigger a lion”s instinct to chase you, do not corner them, and if you are with a child pick them up but do so quickly to avoid appearing small in the process. If the lion attacks, fight back with all of your might.
Along with sightings of mountain lions increasing, so are sightings of dead lions and dead deer along roadsides. According to Knight, “there have been four or five dead young lions found in Lake County in the past year, which is an unusually high number.”
Knight says this summer, while the overall deer population in the county has been down for some time, the population will seem large because they will be concentrated in residential areas near food and water sources. “We”re going to see more roadkill of deer,” said Knight. For deer killed along a highway notify the CHP at 279-0103, the Sheriff”s Department for deer killed on county roads 263-2331, and the police department for deer killed on roads within the city limits, Lakeport: 263-5491 or Clearlake: 994-8251.
“If a deer gets hit and injured, then the department comes out and puts it down. There also is a deer rescue program (SpiritWild) in Middletown that cares for injured [fawns],” said Knight.
SpiritWild is located at 11245 Loch Lomond Road in Middletown, the phone number is 928-6665. SpiritWild managing director Sandie Elliott said the phones have been quiet for calls regarding mountain lions. “Right now the youngsters are out of the den with the mothers, they keep away from people but they have to eat. Every time a house or vineyard is built or land is cleared they have to follow their food source, and they have to come down into the valley for water,” said Elliott.
To avoid hitting deer, drive slowly and especially look out for families of deer, who may be tending to their young and are distracted, according to Elliott. Additionally, deer whistles can be installed on vehicles that cause a high pitch unheard by humans but that cause deer to run away. They are sold at numerous local stores, including Kmart for about $6.25 for two.
Knight said anyone interested in spotting mountain lion tracks should look for areas near water where imprints could be left in mud. The tracks are usually the size of a one-pound coffee can lid, about three to four inches wide. Claw marks would not be visible because lions walk with their claws retracted.
Contact staff writer Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
