Mountain Lion Shot In Southern Iowa

DNR Says Big Cats Following Whitetail Deer

January 7, 2004

AP

CHARITON, Iowa -- State wildlife officials say they don't want Iowa hunters to indiscriminately kill mountain lions.

The state Department of Natural Resources said a hunter shot and killed a mountain lion over the weekend in Wayne County in southern Iowa. The big cat was seen feeding on a deer carcass.

That makes three mountain lions killed in Iowa within the last three years. The DNR said the cats are becoming more common as they follow a primary food source, which is Iowa's large population of whitetail deer.

Killing mountain lions is currently not illegal, but some Iowa lawmakers say the animals should be protected.

State wildlife officials say mountain lions will most likely avoid contact with people.