South Dakota Game & Fish: To Gun or not from the Air

South Dakota Game and Fish claims they can target coyotes and other predators that engage in livestock depredations.  Sinapu and a whole host of groups petitioned the agency to stop the program after their 4th aerial gunning accident.

Read today’s story.

Read the petition.

Here Kitty, Kitty

Two editorials — from either side of the state — with regards to the Nederland mountain lion incident.

Boulder Daily Camera 

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

DOW will not file charges in mountain lion incident

Here’s a brief update from the Colorado Division of Wildlife on the mountain lion that was killed earlier this week in Nederland:

The Division of Wildlife (DOW) has found that the individual involved in the shooting of a mountain lion near Gross Reservoir on the morning of October 5 acted to prevent injury to human life. The DOW will not be filing any charges against him.

At 1:30 AM, Friday, October 5, a family staying near Gross Reservoir in Boulder County was awakened by noise outside their trailer. Stepping outside to investigate, they found their dog, which had been chained outside, in the mouth of a mountain lion. The man and his wife shouted at the lion in the hopes of getting it to release their dog to no avail. The man ran back to the trailer to get his rifle and upon stepping outside, shouted again at the lion.

Vanessa Miller, reporter for the Boulder Daily Camera, interviewed Kocar in a story that was published on October 8th.  In that version of events, Kocar shot the lion when it “looked up from the puppy in its clutches” and when he “confronted” the lion “‘He was thrashing the dog in its mouth.’”  In that story, Kocar bragged, “‘I’m from Wisconsin — and we take care of things there.’”

In subsequent stories, Kocar’s mother-in-law became his spokesperson and the story changed.  In later versions of the story, the lion took menacing steps towards Kocar before he shot it.

“Having completed our investigation, we’ve concluded this person acted in accordance with the law in protecting his personal safety,” said Kathi Green, Acting Northeast Regional Manager. “As always, we will continue to advocate that people take precautions when living or visiting lion country to prevent conflicts such as this incident.”

Ask Questions

“Take time to look, to observe. If you look you will become curious. If you become curious you will ask questions, and with every answer, be given more questions. As you learn, you garner a precious knowledge that belongs to you alone. With that knowledge you begin to care. If you care, you will not destroy.”

~ Anne Haymond Zwinger

Being Good Stewards in Mountain Lion Country

This week’s unfortunate killing of a mountain lion by a man defending his puppy serves as a reminder that we all must be responsible stewards of our pets, of our property, and of the Wild. A little common sense goes a long way toward keeping you safe and protecting animals such as mountain lions and bears. If you live in lion country:

• Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions are most active–dusk to dawn.
• Install outside lighting. Light areas where you walk so you could see a lion if one were present.
• Closely supervise children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about why lions are important to Nature, and teach them what to do if they meet one.
• Landscape or remove vegetation to eliminate hiding places for lions, especially around children’s play areas. Make it difficult for lions to approach unseen.
• Plant native shrubs and plants that deer don’t prefer to eat–thus discouraging them from coming in close to your living quarters. Predators follow prey.
• Keep your pet under control. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract lions. Bring pets in at night. If you leave your pet outside, keep it in a kennel with a secure top. Don’t feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other animals that are eaten by lions. Store all garbage securely.
• Place livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night. Close doors to all outbuildings since inquisitive lions may go inside for a look.
• Encourage your neighbors to follow these simple precautions. Prevention is far better than a possible lion confrontation.