WHITEFISH, Mont. – The holidays mean visitors for some Montanans, but one Whitefish family says they had an unwanted one the day after Christmas. The Rays have the photos to prove it: a hundred-pound mountain lion staring at them through their back door, just a foot and a bit of glass separating them.
Where are mountain lions in Montana?
Montana’s mountain lion habitat is distributed primarily in the western and central portions of the state though mountain lions have apparently also begun to return to areas in the east. Mountain lions prefer habitats with brushy understory to open habitat.
Are there grizzly bears in Whitefish MT?
Wildlife: Whitefish Mountain Resort is home to deer, elk, mountain lions, coyote, weasels, wolves and bears. This is bear country with both grizzly and black bears appearing from time to time. Hikers should make their presence known on the trails by making noise.
Do mountain lions live in snowy mountains?
They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and cover, and will leave an area if they perceive a threat. Found in deserts, humid coast forests, arid hillsides, scrub and oak woodlands, lions can live from sea level to snow-covered mountain peaks. A ten year lifespan is considered old age for a mountain lion in the wild.
Do you need bear spray in Whitefish MT?
Always carry bear spray when heading into the wilderness. One of the wonderful aspects of recreating in the beautiful mountains around the small mountain town of Whitefish, Montana is the fact that we are not at the top of the food chain. That’s right, we live and recreate among bears, wolves, wild cats, and more.
How can you tell if a mountain lion is near?
If a cougar is in the area and you are lucky enough to detect its presence, most often it will be due to “cougar sign” and not actually seeing the animal. These signs are evidence left behind after a cougar has passed through. Cougar signs include tracks, scat, scratches and cached (partially buried) prey.
How rare is it to see a mountain lion?
Expand All. California is mountain lion territory — but you may never see one in the wild. With an estimated population between 4,000 to 6,000 in California, cougars have a secretive nature and attacks are exceedingly rare, given that they share habitat with 39 million Californians.
Are there moose in Whitefish Montana?
Abundant wildlife from bighorn sheep, mountain goats to moose, deer, elk, and bears all can be seen throughout the area.
What is Whitefish MT known for?
A short jaunt to Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a year-round destination with plentiful attractions and a mixed array of shops, coffee houses, restaurants, accommodations. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, boating and live professional theater, as well as stellar dining.
How many grizzly attacks are there in Glacier National Park?
On average, there are only one or two non-lethal bear “incidents” in a given year. And, there have only been 10 bear related fatalities in the history of the park (all of those have occurred since 1967). Only three of those fatalities involved hikers, and at least two of those were solo hikers.
What time of year are mountain lions most active?
Mountain lions are solitary animals, traveling alone except during mating season or when a female is supporting young. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and dusk, corresponding with deer activity.
Should I be scared of mountain lions?
One of my most asked questions is “do I have to worry about mountain lions when I hike?” The answer is no and yes. 99.99999% of the time, mountain lions keep their distance from humans and avoid hikers. But it makes sense to be aware of them and their behavior, and be prepared for anything that could occur.
What to do if a mountain lion approaches you?
Crouching or bending over makes a person look like a four-legged prey animal, so stand upright. The National Park Service advises that if a mountain lion acts aggressively toward you, raise your arms, open your jacket and speak firmly in a loud voice. Without crouching or turning away, throw objects in its direction.
Should I be scared of bears in Glacier National Park?
Be bear aware but don’t let the possibility of seeing/encountering a bear prevent you from enjoying Glacier. I done several solo hikes, one being to Cracker Lake without another person seen on the trail, and never had a problem. Make noise and stay alert and you will probably run off any bears nearby.
How many bear attacks happen in Glacier National Park?
Although there is a significant bear population in Glacier National Park, bear attacks are very rare and only two have been fatal in the past thirty years! Both incidents occurred when a lone hiker stumbled upon a mother and two cubs. All that to say, keeping distance is vital, and hiking within groups is always safer.
Where are the most bears in Glacier National Park?
Glacier Park Bear Sightings
Although bears can appear nearly anywhere in and around Glacier National Park, some of the more common locations where you’re likely to see bears include: Many Glacier Valley (Iceberg Lake Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail)
What scares a mountain lion?
Despite how large and dangerous cougars are, they’ll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal. Plus, you can set alarms on timers to make sure they go off at certain times of the day when you’ve spotted cougars coming onto your property.
Can a human fight off a mountain lion?
Humans are capable of fending off cougars, as adult humans are generally larger. It is even possible for humans to win a fight against a cougar, such as the case of Travis Kauffman, who choked a cougar to death when attacked while jogging.
What is the best defense against a mountain lion?
Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. If looking bigger doesn’t scare the mountain lion off, without crouching or turning your back, start throwing stones, branches, or whatever you can reach in its direction (e.g., toward it, but not directly at it).
What state has the most mountain lions?
California has one of the largest mountain lion populations in the country. The state classed mountain lions as endangered in 1972 and banned all hunting of them. The 2020 wildfires that ravaged California also affected mountain lion populations, killing an estimated 300 to 600 of them.
Do mountain lions eat humans?
“Mountain lions are not routinely scavengers. A mountain lion eating human remains is abnormal behavior. Those that do are more likely to attack a human being in the future,” Game & Fish Regional Supervisor Raul Vega said in a statement provided to TV station KGUN.
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