Mountain Lion Shot in ND

Mountain Lion Killed Wednesday (May 30, 2007) in Northwestern North Dakota

A male mountain lion was shot and killed on a farm near Fortuna in Divide County in northwestern North Dakota early Wednesday afternoon, according to Daryl Kleyer, state Game and Fish Department warden supervisor, Williston.

According to Kleyer, the farmer received a call from his mother regarding a commotion involving their dogs. She went to investigate and saw a mountain lion bound away just beyond the dogs. The farmer immediately returned from the field and went into the grove of trees with a rifle. He found the lion crouched down in the grass at about 15 feet. The lion was then shot.

Kleyer was immediately contacted, and arrived on the scene a short time later. Kleyer conducted an investigation, retrieved the carcass and it was transported to the Game and Fish Department in Bismarck for a full examination.

The 112-pound lion appeared to be 2-2.5 years old, according to Dorothy Fecske, furbearer biologist. “This is a young male, therefore it is nothing that is unexpected because they tend to wander,” Fecske said. “It was in good physical condition. Based on the age and the sex of the animal it is most likely a transient animal.”

Kleyer said the farmer’s actions were within the guidelines and policy set forth by the department and that the shooting was justified. State law specifically allows the killing of mountain lions to protect individuals or their property. The law also requires the Game and Fish Department must be notified – which the farmer did.