Georgia Hunter Shoots Cougar From Treestand

It appears that a mountain lion, rare to Georgia, that a hunter shot and killed from his tree stand while feeling threatened for his life, was somebody’s captured cougar that may have escaped or was intentionally released.

But that may not be stopping authorities from charging the hunter for violations of killing an endangered species. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, initial necropsy results indicate the cat was living in a pen, was well fed and healthy. Genetics tests are being performed to determine the type of cat and it could make a difference as to whether to charge the hunter with a crime.

State biologists do not yet know if the large cat was an Eastern cougar, which is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, or the more common Western variety, WRD spokeswoman Jennifer Barnes said. A genetics test is being performed.

The answer may determine whether the hunter is charged with a crime, she said. The hunter, who was hunting from a tree at the time, told state biologists the cougar approached him and he was concerned for his life.

Authorities need to figure out where the cat came from for sure but it would seem reasonable to think that the first determination should be as to whether the hunter was justified in shooting the cat. If he was justified, the talk of charging the guy is a moot point.

Tom Remington