Havre-area biologist provides advice on mountain lion encounters

The Havre Police Department reported a mountain lion sighting on Beaver Creek Boulevard last Friday, and while Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Area Biologist Scott Hemmer said such a report is not confirmation of a mountain lion in town there are things people should and shouldn't do in the event of an encounter with one.

Hemmer said without a photograph or other evidence it's impossible to confirm whether a mountain lion really was in town, as sightings are often inaccurate, but there are general guidelines people should follow should they encounter one.

He said during encounters with humans, mountain lions will generally look for an escape route and take it, and usually all someone needs to do is allow them to leave.

However, he said, there are things people can do to make it clear that they are not the kind of prey that mountain lions are typically attracted to.

"Stand there, maintain eye contact, don't run, generally try to make yourself look bigger," he said.

Hemmer said people shouldn't approach the animal, but also should never run from them as that tends to activate the lion's predatory chase instincts.

Instead, he said, people can wave their arms and make loud noises to make it clear they are not prey.

If someone who encounters a mountain lion has small children with them it's also a good idea to put them on their shoulders.

If the lion begins approaching, throwing things at it can also deter it, and if it attacks, fight back, Hemmer said. Playing dead, like one would during attack by certain kinds of bears, will not work.

He said if people see a mountain lion they can call FWP or, if they are in town, the Havre Police Department.

He said if a mountain lion was indeed in town it could have been attracted into the area by the deer frequently seen in the area, but could just as easily have been drawn in by improperly stored human food.

Hemmer also talked about the deer and what people should and shouldn't do with them.

He said the big thing for people in town to remember is not to feed them, or to leave food out for them, and not just because it's against Havre City ordinance and Montana law.

He said feeding deer will only attract more of the animals into the city and make them reluctant to leave, which can create clusters of deer that disease will more easily spread amongst.

Hemmer also said feeding deer can be bad for their health in the short term.

He said people often feel bad for deer when they seem them starving and cold, but feeding them rich food that they aren't accustomed to can often make things worse by disrupting their digestive systems and hurting them in the process.

He said approaching deer is also a bad idea as they are still wild animals.

Hemmer said male deer can be aggressive during the rutting season, and approaching fawns can cause mothers to become aggressive as well.

He said moving a fawn when the mother is not around can also cause the two to become more permanently separated, so approaching the animals in general is not a good idea.

"If you care, leave it there," he said.