Mountain Lions Killed, Trapped, After Kills Near Missoula

One mountain lion suspected of killing sheep and goats in the Pattee Canyon area has been shot and another lion has been trapped.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says Doug Stewart killed an 85-pound lion Wednesday night after the animal returned to feed on the carcasses of two sheep and three goats killed the night before.

Stewart was authorized to shoot the lion after state officials investigated.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks trapped a sub-adult lion near Stewart's home Wednesday night. Agency officials also were trying to catch the lion's mother.

Wildlife officials typically kill mountain lions they capture because the animals are difficult to relocate.

Stewart tells the Helena Independent Record the sheep and goats killed were more family pets than livestock and helped control weeds on his land.