Living in Lion Country

From the Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Much of Wyoming and Montana is prime mountain lion habitat. They once ranged from coast to coast in the United States, but today eastern populations are extinct or endangered. The West is their stronghold and in Wyoming and Montana they’ve become increasingly common.

Generally, lions are calm, quiet, and elusive, and are most active from dusk to dawn. However, they do travel and hunt in daylight. Lions are most commonly found in areas where deer are plentiful and cover is adequate.
Mountain lions in Wyoming are generally a uniform slate gray to rufous brown color with black-tipped ears and tail. They vary in size and weight, with males larger than females. Adult males may be more than 8 feet in length and weigh an average of 150 pounds, while adult females may be up to 7 feet in length and weigh an average of 90 pounds. Lions are much larger than lynx or bobcats and have a long tail, which may measure one-third of their total length.

Every situation is different with respect to the lion, the terrain, the people and their activity.
• Don’t hike alone. When walking or hiking in mountain lion country, do so in groups and make plenty of noise to reduce the chances of surprising the lion.
• Keep children close to adults. Keep children remain under supervision at all times.
• Never approach a mountain lion. All lions are unpredictable. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation, so give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when confronted by a mountain lion. Move slowly at all times.
• Don’t run. Back away slowly but safely. Sudden movement or running may stimulate the lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright. If small children are present, pick them up so they don’t run off.
• Do everything possible to appear larger. Raise your arms and open your jacket. If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Convince the lion that you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.
• Fight back if a lion attacks. Lions have been driven away by prey the fights back. People have fought back successfully, using rocks, sticks, fishing poles, garden tools, or bare hands. Try to remain standing and face the animal.

If you have an encounter with a lion, you should contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department immediately or your local game warden, sheriff’s office or dial 911.

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