hunter attacked by lion near Kalispell Montana
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:23 pm
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Northwest Montana - DailyInterLake.com
Mountain lion attacks hunter
Posted: Monday, Nov 12, 2007 - 10:52:58 am MST
The Daily Inter Lake
A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday morning in the Squeezer Creek area of the Swan Valley southeast of Kalispell.
The hunter has been treated for cuts on his leg, as well as puncture wounds and scratches, and released from the hospital, according to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
According to Warden Chuck Bartos, on early Sunday morning the hunter left his car and was several miles in on a trail when he heard what sounded like the scream of a mountain lion.
A short time later, he heard a growl and turned to see the mountain lion 10 to 15 feet away. The man dropped his rifle and rushed to get behind a tree. The lion quickly caught up and pounced on the hunter's back, knocking him into the tree. The collision caused the lion to lose its grip and the hunter was able to reach his pistol and fire a shot.
The noise of the shot spooked the lion and it ran away. As the lion ran, the hunter fired several more shots.
The man then picked up his rifle and made his way back down the trail. He met several other hunters who helped him reach his vehicle. The injured hunter began driving back to Kalispell and notified relatives, who met him on the way.
According to Bartos, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center the man received five stitches for cuts to his leg made by the lion's claws.
The injured man, whose name was not released, was also treated for scratches on his back, shoulder and a few puncture wounds to the back of his head.
Bartos said the hunter's backpack probably prevented the lion from causing more serious injuries. Bartos said the hunter's backpack was shredded, reflecting the protection it provided.
For more on this story, read Tuesday's Daily Inter Lake.
Northwest Montana - DailyInterLake.com
Mountain lion attacks hunter
Posted: Monday, Nov 12, 2007 - 10:52:58 am MST
The Daily Inter Lake
A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday morning in the Squeezer Creek area of the Swan Valley southeast of Kalispell.
The hunter has been treated for cuts on his leg, as well as puncture wounds and scratches, and released from the hospital, according to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
According to Warden Chuck Bartos, on early Sunday morning the hunter left his car and was several miles in on a trail when he heard what sounded like the scream of a mountain lion.
A short time later, he heard a growl and turned to see the mountain lion 10 to 15 feet away. The man dropped his rifle and rushed to get behind a tree. The lion quickly caught up and pounced on the hunter's back, knocking him into the tree. The collision caused the lion to lose its grip and the hunter was able to reach his pistol and fire a shot.
The noise of the shot spooked the lion and it ran away. As the lion ran, the hunter fired several more shots.
The man then picked up his rifle and made his way back down the trail. He met several other hunters who helped him reach his vehicle. The injured hunter began driving back to Kalispell and notified relatives, who met him on the way.
According to Bartos, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center the man received five stitches for cuts to his leg made by the lion's claws.
The injured man, whose name was not released, was also treated for scratches on his back, shoulder and a few puncture wounds to the back of his head.
Bartos said the hunter's backpack probably prevented the lion from causing more serious injuries. Bartos said the hunter's backpack was shredded, reflecting the protection it provided.
For more on this story, read Tuesday's Daily Inter Lake.