BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho Fish and Game staff often work in the state’s most beautiful and wild areas, conducting crucial wildlife monitoring and management. However, their work can also be dangerous, as demonstrated by a recent encounter in the Owyhees.
Earlier this month, a wildlife technician investigating the cause of death of a GPS-collared mule deer buck encountered an adult mountain lion and two juveniles near the deer carcass.
Such encounters are rare and represent a potentially risky scenario where a lion refuses to back down. Typically, these involve a mother with young or a single lion protecting a cached kill.
The technician’s video provides a valuable example of handling these situations: do not run, do not turn your back, remain facing the lion, and slowly back away while leaving the animal an escape route. It’s advised to appear as large as possible and shout, wave arms, and throw objects if the lion does not retreat.
Mountain lion predation is a leading cause of death for mule deer and California bighorn sheep in the Owyhees. Fish and Game staff are aware of the risks and expect to encounter mountain lion kills when investigating mortality signals from GPS collars.
Despite this, seeing a mountain lion during these investigations is uncommon, as they are typically shy and secretive, often fleeing from human presence. Staff make noise to announce their presence, further reducing the likelihood of an encounter.