Illegal mountain lion harvest uptick reported by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks said there has been an increase in illegal mountain lion harvest reports in Central Montana.

In its update about the illegal harvesting uptick, Fish, Wildlife and Parks said three hunters had admitted to illegally shooting and harvesting five mountain lions in Region 4.

The hunters saw the lions in the wild and shot them without a license before, only buying their lion licenses afterwards, Fish, Wildlife and Parks said.

“These are really just crimes of opportunity,” Game Warden Sgt. Trent Farmer said. “Hunters are encountering lions while hunting deer or elk and then trying to buy a license after the fact. Hunters who want to harvest a lion need to plan ahead and purchase a license before the season begins.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the hunters were fined $3,605 and the lions were confiscated.