FWP receives multiple mountain lion sightings around Bozeman

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has received several mountain lion sighting reports in Bozeman over the last month.

Most of the reports are concentrated around the south end of Bozeman.

Sightings have been reported on Arnold Street, Sourdough Canyon Road, Spring Hill Road, and toward the Bozeman Pass, according to Morgan Jacobson of FWP in Bozeman.

“So far, we haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary,” Jacobson said. “Mountain lion sightings are fairly routine in this area.”

Mountain lions are dubbed “problem lions” when they are involved in conflicts with livestock or pets, or when there are repeated sightings of the same lion in a localized area.

Jacobson said none of the animals reported in the last month have been classified as problem lions.

When a lion is removed from an area, it must be euthanized.

“We don’t want to relocate a problem lion somewhere else where it might cause issues,” Jacobson said. “Mountain lions generally just don’t respond well to sedatives.”

If someone encounters a mountain lion, Jacobson said it’s important to make yourself appear large by flailing your arms or holding something up.

“If you encounter a lion, you’re allowed to defend yourself and your animals. You want to act big, get aggressive and loud, and scare them away,” Jacobson said. “Most of the time, that’s very effective.”

Additionally, it’s important to carefully monitor pets and livestock in areas where mountain lion sightings have been recorded and to report encounters to FWP.