HAMILTON – State wildlife officials say a Hamilton-area man shot a mountain lion as it attacked a goose in his front yard.
Geoff Mahar told the Ravalli Republic a cougar killed one of his sheep at his house northwest of Hamilton on Saturday morning.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Lou Royce gave Mahar permission to kill the cougar. A friend showed up with his hounds, but they were unable to locate the cat.
Mahar and his wife were eating dinner Saturday night when they heard a ruckus. Looking out the window, they saw a mountain lion run up the driveway and pounce on their goose about 10 yards from their front door.
Mahar shot the cat. Royce estimated the mountain lion was 3 years old and weighed between 100 and 130 pounds.