Mountain Lion Conflict Prevention
Safety Basics
When in mountain lion country, stay aware of your surroundings.
Always hike in groups, make noise, and carry bear spray. Although bear spray has not been tested on mountain lions in the same way it has been on bears, it is known to work on any animals with lungs and may be used as a defense mechanism if you meet a mountain lion.
Avoid recreating at dawn and dusk, which is when mountain lions are most likely to be active.
Be alert for mountain lion sign. Keep your eyes out for scat or tracks that may signal mountain lion activity. Look out for scratch piles usually made of grass, dirt, pine needles and leaves. If you see any activity or hear a mountain lion, avoid the area.
Keep dogs on leashes and small children nearby and keep eyes on them. If you see a mountain lion, pick up small children or pets.
Do not approach carcasses, particularly deer or elk, which could be mountain lion prey that was left for a later meal. If you do see a carcass, leave the area.
If you encounter a mountain lion:
Do not run. This could trigger a predator-prey response and it may attack even if they hadn’t initially planned to.
Make yourself look as large as possible. Open your jacket and raise your arms.
Yell at the lion to make sure it knows you are not prey.
Throw things at the lion if possible. Do not bend down to grab items or turn away from the lion. Try to grab items that are within arm’s reach, like branches or water bottles in a pack.
Slowly back away, without taking your eyes off the lion.
Do not approach the mountain lion, and give it space to run away.
In the instance of an attack, fight back.
Report any mountain lion encounters or incident to the local ranger district, or fish and wildlife office.
Although encounters with lions are extremely rare, it’s best to be on the lookout and stay alert to avoid an encounter.
While mountain lions aren’t attracted to properties by way of food or garbage like bears may be, they can be attracted to residential areas when following prey, like deer.
Keep deer and other prey species away from yards and other outdoor areas by removing plants that may attract them, taking bird feeders down at night, and never leaving food out for strays or other animals.
Remove dense or low-lying vegetation that could serve as hiding spots for mountain lions.
Install outdoor lighting, especially along walkways, to deter mountain lions and increase visibility at night.
Keep pets indoors at night or in a secure enclosure.
Keep a close watch on children, especially during dawn, dusk, and at night when mountain lions are most active. Teach them about mountain lions and how to behave if they encounter one.
Living with Lions
Conflict Prevention Resources
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Educational Materials
We’ve created a brochure with safety tips for recreating in lion country.
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Conflict Prevention Tools
We use a variety of tools in residential areas and the backcountry to keep people, property, and mountain lions safe, like scare devices, guard dogs, carcass management techniques, and fencing solutions.
