Mountain Lions in Blue Sky Ecological Reserve

Mountain lions have been sighted in Blue Sky. They are most commonly found in areas with deer and adequate cover. Such conditions exist in Blue Sky.

This photo (right) was taken in Blue Sky at night using a motion sensing camera.

Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet, and elusive and attacks on people are rare.

When hiking in Blue Sky and surrounding areas you are in lion country and we urge you to follow these simple precautions:

• Do not hike or run alone and do not separate from your group.

• Make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a mountain lion, particularly at dawn and dusk when they are most active.

• Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times.

• A walking stick is a good idea; it can be used to ward off a mountain lion.

• Carry a whistle.

• Stay alert, look around you and listen for sounds while you are on the trails.

What To Do If You Meet a Mountain Lion

• Do not approach a mountain lion, and never approach cubs even if they appear “abandoned”. Mother mountain lions are extremely protective of their young.

• Stay calm and upright. Talk firmly to it. Appear to be in command. Move slowly away while facing the mountain lion. (Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Teach children not to run if they see a lion).

• Raise your arms. Try to make yourself look big - open your jacket if you are wearing one. If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up.

  

• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw what you can get yours hand on without crouching down or turning your back. You want to convince the lion you are not prey and that you may, in fact, be a danger to the lion. A lion that is about to attack may have ears held back, snarl or growl, or twitch its tail.

• FIGHT BACK if a lion attacks you. Remain standing! Mountain lions have been known to stop attacking when people fight back.