By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Friday, January 10, 2020 – 3:46 PM MST

A large male mountain lion was hazed for a second time in Ketchum just one day after non-lethal means were used to force it to move.

On Friday January 10, officers were once again notified by a Ketchum homeowner that a mountain lion that had been hazed the day before, had returned. Responding officers found the large male lion bedded in the same location as found on January 9. After assessing the situation, the officers again fired several shotgun rounds, using rubber slugs and buck shot, to force the lion to leave its day bed in the south Ketchum backyard. Following the hazing, the lion immediately ran from the area.

Once the area was clear, the officers inspected the day bed and found a partially consumed elk calf which the lion had been feeding on over the last several days. The elk carcass was removed, reducing the chances of the lion returning to the area.

According to Senior Conservation Officer Clark Shackelford, “using non-lethal means, such as we’ve done over the last two days using shotguns with rubber slugs and buck shot can sometimes be a very effective deterrent to make wildlife leave an area. Our goal is to discourage wildlife, in this case a mountain lion, from remaining in a neighborhood that puts it in close proximity to both people and pets.”

This situation will continued to be monitored very closely over the coming days. If the lion continues to remain in and around homes the department will consider more aggressive methods to reduce the risk to public safety in Ketchum and throughout the Wood River Valley.

Residents are again reminded to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Mountain lion sightings continue to be reported throughout the Wood River Valley. Over the last several months over 50 reports have come into the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome.

If you encounter a mountain lion, never run from the lion. Remain calm, don’t turn your back, and make yourself look as large as possible. Yell at the lion to make sure it knows you are not prey. Throw things at the lion if possible. Slowly back away, without taking your eyes off the lion. When walking or recreating around the valley, residents are encouraged to carry bear spray as a potentially effective safety item.

If you have pets, always keep them on leash when out walking. Use a bright flashlight if walking after dark. Before letting your pet outside, turn on your porch lights, and go outside before them. Make noise. Do not feed pets outside, or leave their dishes outside. While a mountain lion will not typically eat pet food, they might pursue any other pet or wildlife that might be attracted to the food dishes.

Residents are encouraged to report any sightings of mountain lions to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359, during normal business hours of Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Any incidents where a person must take action to cause the lion to flee or back down, or any attacks by mountain lions on pets or people should be reported immediately to the Magic Valley Regional Office or the Blaine County Sheriff by calling 911 or their non-emergency phone line at (208) 788-5555.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Thursday, January 9, 2020 – 6:15 PM MST

A large male mountain lion was hazed, using non-lethal methods, from the backyard of a home in Ketchum.

Fish and Game received reports on Wednesday January 8 of a mountain lion laying near the backyard of a home in south Ketchum. After monitoring the situation, the lion continued to remain near the home in the backyard, prompting officers on January 9 to make the decision to use non-lethal means to force the lion to move.

A large male mountain lion was found using a day-bed in the backyard of a home in south Ketchum.

According to Regional Conservation Officer Josh Royse the large male mountain lion was becoming too comfortable living in the urban environment of town and needed to be encouraged to move on. “We are concerned with what appears to be increasing situations of lions becoming less fearful of humans,” according to Royse, “when lions don’t react as we would expect them to, there will be times we need to take actions like we did today.”

The officers used shotguns with non-lethal rubber slugs and buck shot.

“We want the lion to associate a negative and somewhat painful interaction if they choose to stay within our local communities among people and pets” stated Royse, “we hope that by using non-lethal methods that we can move these urban mountain lions out into the mountains surrounding the Wood River Valley.”

Residents are encouraged to report any sightings of mountain lions to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359, during normal business hours of Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Any incidents where a person must take action to cause the lion to flee or back down, or any attacks by mountain lions on pets or people should be reported immediately to the Magic Valley Regional Office or the Blaine County Sheriff by calling 911 or their non-emergency phone line at (208) 788-5555.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 – 5:01 PM MST

A elk calf that had become entangled in garden materials near Hailey was freed by Fish and Game officers on Saturday December 28.

On Saturday morning, December 28, Fish and Game officers received reports from Blaine County residents about an elk calf that had become entangled in a discarded tomato cage and bucket just north of Hailey. By mid-day, officers were able to locate the calf on the west side of Highway 75 in a grove of trees.

Knowing the calf would not be able to free itself from the metal, Fish and Game staff made the decision to dart the calf and remove the metal cage.

According to Senior Conservation Officer Clark Shackelford, “Darting an animal with an anesthetizing drug is a difficult undertaking. We can never be sure how much stress the animal has been in prior to darting or how each animal will react to the drugs. And more importantly, handling these drugs, often in extreme conditions, can place the Fish and Game officers at risk too.”

In this instance, the elk was successfully anesthetized, and the metal tomato cage and plastic bucket were removed.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Monday, December 23, 2019 – 3:23 PM MST

A number of mountain lion attacks on dogs have occurred in the Wood River Valley over the last week.

Fish and Game officers received a report on Monday, December 23, about a mountain lion attack on a Labrador retriever on Saturday, December 21, north of Hailey. The homeowner reported letting their dog out about 6:15 a.m. that morning, then shortly after, hearing loud noises in their backyard. They immediately checked and found a mountain lion attacking their dog in the unfenced backyard. Shortly after the homeowner confronted the lion, it let the dog go.

The dog received injuries in the attack, but survived and is back home with its owners.

This is the fifth reported mountain lion attack on dogs in the Wood River Valley over the last week. Three dogs have died due to these attacks.

Mountain lions typically prey on elk and deer, but will opportunistically take other animals when they are present. Elk and mule deer have become year-round residents of the Wood River Valley which is seemingly increasing the number of predators throughout the area.

According to Senior Conservation Officer Brandyn Hurd, “This attack occurred in an area with a known herd of mule deer, which might have brought the lion into close proximity to this neighborhood.”

Residents and visitors to the Wood River Valley are reminded to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially during the early morning and evening hours.

Pet owners should always check the surrounding area before letting their pets outside. If possible, they should accompany them when outside, especially when it’s dark. When walking your pet, keep them on a leash.

Mountain lions can easily jump a 6 foot fence, so don’t assume a fenced backyard is a secure space.

Techniques to stay safe around your home in mountain lion country include:

Don’t feed your pets outside, or leave their food dishes outside your home.

Ensure there are no spaces around your home accessible to a mountain lion to use as a den, such as under decks, sheds, or window wells.

Turn on exterior lights when going outside your home when it’s dark outside.

If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run away! Make yourself look as big as possible, yell, and slowly back away from the encounter. Do not turn your back on the lion. Bear spray may be a good safety item to carry with you as well.

Wood River Valley residents and visitors should immediately report any encounter that results in an attack to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 during business hours. If after hours, local Conservation Officers can be reached by calling the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999.

Reports can also be made to the Blaine County Sheriff at (208) 788-5555.

Observations of a mountain lion in your area should also be reported to the Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 – 5:14 PM MST

Two dogs were killed in separate mountain lion attacks in the Warm Springs area of Ketchum.

Fish and Game officers in the Wood River Valley received two reports of separate fatal mountain lion attacks on dogs early Wednesday morning, Dec. 18. These were the third and fourth mountain lion attacks on dogs in the Wood River Valley over a period of five days, two of which took place over the prior weekend.

Upon investigation, officers found that a mountain lion attacked a dog in its fenced backyard where it received significant injuries from the attack. The dog survived, but had to be euthanized by a local veterinarian.

Shortly after the first report, Fish and Game officers were notified of a second dog that had been killed as a result of a mountain lion attack within blocks of the first incident.

Fish and Game immediately called for assistance from an individual who owns a hound that could be used to track the lion. Shortly after, the hound was able to locate the lion hiding under a deck, just across the street from the attack. Once located, officers euthanized the lion to ensure public safety.

“The mountain lions living within our local communities seem to be growing more accustomed to hunting in and around neighborhoods,” according to Senior Conservation Officer Clark Shackelford.

He added, “The large number of resident deer and elk are bringing the lions into town, and then the lions, which normally feed on these animals, are also finding that there are other things to prey upon, which unfortunately can include local residents pets.”

Shackelford reminds local residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings when outside, especially those with pets.

“If you walk your dog, especially in the early morning, or evening, keep your pet on a leash. Winter is just beginning, and we anticipate that mountain lions will continue to move into the valley over the coming months due to the availability of prey.”

Editor’s Note: Conservation officers were notified of a fifth mountain lion attack on a dog that occurred on Saturday, Dec. 21 near Hailey. For more information about the most recent incident, visit: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/mountain-lion-attacks-and-injures-dog-near-…

If anyone encounters a mountain lion, there are key strategies to remember; NEVER run, but back away from the lion slowly, and make as much noise as possible.

If you have a significant encounter with a mountain lion please call the Magic Valley Regional Office or local law enforcement immediately.

Magic Valley Regional Office: (208) 324-4359

Blaine County Sheriff: 911 or (208) 788-5555