Self Defense - Mountain Lion

[AnonUser]

I searched but couldn't find this topic. If it's been asked, please post a link.

We live on 6 acres in Los Angeles County between 2 housing developments. Part of our 6 acres is mountain side.

I'm told by our neighbors (each also having about 6 acres) that there's a mountain lion and coyotes living in the hills.

I have some boys in our family and we like to go hiking around our new property, so I make sure I have a gun with me.

Now I'm a bit worried of what might happen if I do run into a mountain lion and have to shoot it in self defense. Could I go to jail for defending my family on my own property from a mountain lion?

Also, can I shoot coyotes if they come on our property? (We have some horse and will have other livestock.)

[ElDub1950]

You can always defend your family and yourself from an animal attacj (or immement attack).

Obviously there's a huge difference between protecting your family from an attack and shooting a mt. lion that you happen to see.

As far as hunting coyotes that happen to come on your property I'll leave that question to others with that experience.

[NapalmCheese]

- If you see a mountain lion you will almost certainly have no reason to shoot it.
- If you are attacked by a mountain lion, feel free to shoot it.
- Coyotes are not game animals, have no season, and require no tags. As such you can shoot coyotes whenever you want provided you are allowed to shoot guns in your city/county and you are using bullets that comply with current non-lead regulations.
- If an animal is attacking your livestock you may kill it to defend your livestock.
- If you are shooting coyotes just because, you'll need a hunting license.

[InBound556]

Are you within city limits? That would be the only factor I see. Research the life styles and diets of the predators to understand how and what the hunt. Avoid hikes at dawn and dusk as that is when they are most active. Most coyotes are scavengers, and mountain lions will roam up to a 100 mile radius.

[Quiet]

Yes, you could go to jail for taking a mountain lion. [FGC 4800(b)(1)]
It's a misdemeanor, unless it can be proved that is was done in self-defense. [FGC 4800(c)]

Coyotes are classified as non-game mammals and requires a valid CA hunting permit in order to legally take them.
AFAIK... You will need to obtain approval from the CA Fish & Wildlife Department, in order to determine if coyotes in your area are injuring your property before you can take them. No approval, means you need a hunting permit and can only take them in accordance to CA hunting regulations for coyotes.



Fish & Game Code 4800
(a) The mountain lion (genus Puma) is a specially protected mammal under the laws of this state.
(b)(1) It is unlawful to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell a mountain lion or a product of a mountain lion, except as specifically provided in this chapter or in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2116) of Division 3.
(c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. An individual is not guilty of a violation of this section if it is demonstrated that, in taking or injuring a mountain lion, the individual was acting in self-defense or in defense of others.

[AceGirlsHusband]

If you see a Gavin Newsom AND a mountain lion, ignore the mountain lion. Just make sure you can prove Gavin was coming right at you.

[CSACANNONEER]

You will never see a lion that is about to attack you in time to draw and fire. Now, if the cat attacks you and is already on your back with it's fangs in your neck, of course, you can do whatever is required to survive.

It really depends on exactly where you are in LA County if you are talking about shooting 'yotes' In most places in the county, you are prohibited from discharging a firearm period. There are some areas where it is legal and more where shotgun only is allowed. Also, as already been stated, you would need a valid CA hunting license.

[Messerschmitts]

If you see a Gavin Newsom AND a mountain lion, ignore the mountain lion. Just make sure you can prove Gavin was coming right at you.

I think this is great advice.

[Divernhunter]

Since it was in large part the people in southern Ca that got the ban in place you need to allow the poor animal to do what wild animals do. That is allow them to attack and kill whatever animals they want....including yourself.

Actually some of the problem one up here need to be placed in the southern Ca area(mostly the high population areas), Sac and the San Frisco bay area so you people can enjoy the pretty kiddies more like you wanted when you pushed this stuff.

Looks like your area is now pushing for the same for yotes......you already completely screwed up the bear population and hunting.

Enjoy the pretty, poor misunderstood big kiddies you have so well protected.

[mif_slim]

[jeremiah12]

In reality, it is very unlikely you will see a mountain lion. They are very shy and secretive. They generally tend to steer clear of people. If one is going to attack you, the first warning you will get is when its teeth are around your neck piercing your jugular. Most people who are killed by mountain lions never knew what killed them.

I have spent nearly 50 years in the backcountry and only once saw a mountain lion and that was 40 years ago.

In all my years in the backcountry, and a fair number of those were spent doing research in remote areas, it was the two legged creatures that gave me problems. Never did I have problems with the non-human wildlife. This was during the time when in the National Parks of CA one could not carry and I never did. I did repel bears with a few small rocks.

So carry if it makes you feel safer, just realize it will be of little use against a mountain lion because the attack will be long over before you realize you need it.

[mif_slim]

^ that has changed greatly. 40 years ago lions were afraid of humans. However since the ban up until now they dont fear humans anymore. We've encounted 3 lions last season. They saw us, they didnt care.

[cdtx2001]

Yes, you could go to jail for taking a mountain lion. [FGC 4800(b)(1)]
It's a misdemeanor, unless it can be proved that is was done in self-defense. [FGC 4800(c)]

Coyotes are classified as non-game mammals and requires a valid CA hunting permit in order to legally take them.
AFAIK... You will need to obtain approval from the CA Fish & Wildlife Department, in order to determine if coyotes in your area are injuring your property before you can take them. No approval, means you need a hunting permit and can only take them in accordance to CA hunting regulations for coyotes.



Fish & Game Code 4800
(a) The mountain lion (genus Puma) is a specially protected mammal under the laws of this state.
(b)(1) It is unlawful to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell a mountain lion or a product of a mountain lion, except as specifically provided in this chapter or in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2116) of Division 3.
(c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. An individual is not guilty of a violation of this section if it is demonstrated that, in taking or injuring a mountain lion, the individual was acting in self-defense or in defense of others.

Can't sell or possess any part of a mountain lion eh? What if you took it in another state? What if you shot, killed, and ate a mountain lion but didn't take a dump before returning to CA? You'd have mountain lion in yer belleh!!! Can they git ya then?

[jeremiah12]

Since it was in large part the people in southern Ca that got the ban in place you need to allow the poor animal to do what wild animals do. That is allow them to attack and kill whatever animals they want....including yourself.

Actually some of the problem one up here need to be placed in the southern Ca area(mostly the high population areas), Sac and the San Frisco bay area so you people can enjoy the pretty kiddies more like you wanted when you pushed this stuff.

Looks like your area is now pushing for the same for yotes......you already completely screwed up the bear population and hunting.

Enjoy the pretty, poor misunderstood big kiddies you have so well protected.

Mountain lions and humans can coexist. I live in Stockton. I know from a wildlife researcher who has been studying mountain lions that their is one that has been using one of small rivers as a pathway between the foothills and delta. It does spend significant time in the middle of Stockton and the residents are not aware of it. It has never harmed a person. The pathway it uses has a bikepath and jogging path along it for several miles.

So if mountain lions really went after children and other people, this one would have killed several in the past 5 or so years that it has been passing through and spending some time during its travels.

You have more to worry from the raccoons and oppossums that roam the streets at night that are more likely to bit you giving you a nasty infection.

[maggie06]

A friend of mine with a ranch in Colorado mentioned something about SSS. I have no idea what he meant. It must be a secret.

What happened to the wink smile icon.

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