Elk NetworkMontana Mountain Lion Attack Prompts Awareness

General | June 9, 2017

A man gathering firewood in northwest Montana suffered minor injuries after a mountain lion attacked him. He sustained scratches to his face and stomach but scared it off long enough after striking it so he could make it to his truck for safety.

“Mountain lions have a sight picture of the back of the neck of a deer, so that’s why the experts say to don’t bend down or turn away from a mountain lion if you actually see one,” John Fraley, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman, told KPAX-TV.

Bear spray is known to be a successful deterrent against mountain lions but wildlife authorities say you can also you a gun, rocks, sticks or your fists.

“If that mountain lion ever starts actually approaching and it looks like it’s going to be aggressive, you always fight back. People that fight back survive,” added Fraley.