The agency regulates the number of lions that can be killed in each hunting unit throughout the state. Here are a few things you should know about this amazing creature. As mountain lions get bolder, one would assume that the risk of attack will also increase. Kevin Durant moped. Fred Smith knows real estate. Now you get an alert on your phone and you see that animal.. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) estimates that 58,822 square miles, roughly 57 percent of the state is suitable mountain lion habitat. All members are expected to represent all parks and wildlife issues. I have collared lions near trails that I know people were actively using. Harvest pressure on the local population was very high and had an extremely large impact on mountain lion numbers. You have permission to edit this article. Earlierindependentresearch out of Washington State University that included exhaustive and comprehensive studies of lion populations in Washington, northern Idaho and Montana concludes kill rates above 12 percent will trigger a decline in lion populations, and anindependent2020 study out of Western Oregon University concludes that sport hunting is not an effective tool for anything other than providing an opportunity for sport hunting. People come from all over the country to hike and ski in the mountains. Visitwww.youtube.com/c/ColoradoParksandWildlife, click "playlists" and select "Mountain Lions in Colorado" to see the videos. If youre alone, you want to make sure youre alert and aware of your surroundings.. (I heard someone say recently that if you want to prove your manhood, go hike alone in grizzly bear country and without a gun.). (CBS4) - Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared impressive video of a mountain lion recently. The Boulder metro has the #3 highest concentration of software developers nationwide. In another CPW area that includes all of Boulder County plus parts of Larimer and Weld counties, reports increased from 62 in 2019 to 96 in 2020. Success! The wildlife agency confirmed Wolfe was properly licensed to kill the lion and followed the mandatory reporting process. Use the rule of thumb: If the animal is small enough to cover with your thumb, you're at a safe distance. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Lions aren't coming into yards to hurt people. Be loud when you walk. Colorado Mountain Lion Relocated After Dog Finds Big Cat Under Deck Never hike alone. Speak calmly to the lion in a firm tone of voice. The mountain lion, commonly known as cougar, panther, or puma, exists only in the Western Hemisphere and is one of North America's biggest cats.