The recent sighting of mountain lions in Lakeport and the surrounding areas have more than a few citizens concerned. One was sighted near the fairground and another was seen near the high school. A mountain lion is an impressive critter. They will weigh from 50 to 180 pounds and are extremely strong. They have been known to take down prey a large as an elk and kill it instantly. They main diet is deer but will take whatever is convenient. The state’s deer herd has been in a steady decline and the population has just about bottomed out. This means the mountain lions have to turn to a new source of food. A few years the mountain lions started showing up in the urban areas where they fed on dogs and cats. Many of the deer have also moved into urban areas because of a ready supply of water and feed. The lions have followed.
Mountain lions are completely protected and can only be killed if they threaten a human or livestock. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) can also issue a depredation permit. Attacks on human are extremely rare. According to the DFW, there have been only 16 verified mountain lion attacks on humans since 1890. Six of them were fatal. The last documented attack was in 2014 in Santa Clara County. On the other hand, attacks on livestock and pets have become more common. The DFW receives hundreds of reports each year of lions killing pets and livestock.
According to the DFW, you may be attracting mountain lions to your property without knowing it.
More than half of California is mountain lion habitat. Mountain lions generally exist wherever deer are found. They are solitary and elusive and their nature is to avoid humans.
Mountain lions prefer deer but, if allowed, they also eat pets and livestock. In extremely rare cases, even people have fallen prey to mountain lions.
Mountain lions that threaten people are immediately killed. Those that prey on pets or livestock can be killed by a property owner after the required depredation permit is secured. Moving problem mountain lions is not an option. It causes deadly conflicts with other mountain lions already there, or the relocated mountain lion returns to the urban areas.
The DFW has suggestions for living in mountain Lion country.
· Don’t feed deer; it is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
· Deer-proof your landscaping by avoiding plants that deer like to eat. For tips, request A Gardener’s Guide to Preventing Deer Damage from DFW offices.
· Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions.
· Don’t leave small children or pets outside unattended.
· Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
· Provide sturdy, covered shelters for sheep, goats, and other vulnerable animals.
· Don’t allow pets outside when mountain lions are most active, which is dawn, dusk and at night.
· Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey.
Mountain lions are quiet, solitary, elusive and typically avoid people. Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as California’s human population expands into mountain lion habitat.
The DFW advice for those living mountain lion country is:
· Do not hike, bike or jog alone.
· Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active, which is dawn, dusk and at night.
· Keep a close watch on small children.
· Do not approach a mountain lion.
· If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
· If attacked, fight back.
· If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
I have spent years hiking and hunting the forests in Lake County and have only seen four mountain lions. But I also know that have been observed dozens of time by a mountain lion hiding in cover. A few years ago I was preseason scouting for wild turkeys in the Mendocino National Forest and was walking down a backroad. I was unarmed. All of a sudden I came across fresh mountain lion tracks and the water from the road was still oozing into the tracks. In other words he was only a few minutes ahead of me. I immediately turned around headed back to my truck.
Without a question they are a magnificent animal and a vital part of Lake County. Just take a little care and we can all live peacefully.
