Driver, law enforcement spot mountain lion
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POLSON — A mountain lion was sighted on Tuesday, March 30, about 11:30 p.m. near the Y junction of Highways 93 and 35 in Polson, according to Polson Police Chief Doug Chase. A person driving on Highway 93 saw the cat cross the highway near DePoe Junction, a building above Safeway near the highway.
PPD Officers and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputies spied the mountain lion and followed it west across Highway 93 onto the walking path where the animal headed south on the path and finally disappeared into the darkness near the top of Polson Hill. Officers were unable to find and dispatch the animal, which showed no signs of fear.
PPD Sgt. Wade Nash updated the posted signs that warn of mountain lion sightings along the walking trail according to Chief Chase.
Tribal Biologist George Barce and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Game and Fish Department were quick to help out the PPD. Barce said they’ve had reports of the cat at Fulkerson’s Corner, along the south shore of Flathead Lake and at the Southshore Vet Clinic, near the top of Polson Hill, this winter.
“They’re fairly wide-ranging critters,” Barce said.
In an attempt to catch the mountain lion, Tribal Game and Fish set a live trap near the walking path. The trap is checked daily.
Also the PPD has increased patrols, especially on the east side of Polson. Chase urged any resident who sees a mountain lion to call 911.
“We need the public’s help on this,” Chief Chase stated.
