A Missouri deer hunter faces a misdemeanor charge after shooting and killing a mountain lion as it passed beneath his tree stand last month.
According to KY3 News, Joseph Licklider of Desloge, Mo., informed the Iron County Sheriff’s Department on Nov. 16 that he shot the mountain lion, also known as a cougar, while in a tree stand with his partner.
Missouri does not have an established cougar population, but a few sightings are reported each year. Protected animals may only be killed in self-defense or to protect pets or livestock.
The cougar Licklider killed was wearing research tags from the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission and was walking away from the elevated stand when shot.
The charge of illegally killing protected wildlife was filed after an investigation determined that Licklider’s actions were unjustified. He is scheduled to appear in court in February 2025.
