Man charged after mountain lion's shooting death in Iron County, Missouri

IRON COUNTY, Mo. - A man faces a criminal charge after he allegedly shot and killed a mountain lion last month in Iron County, Missouri, an act the state considers illegal in most cases.

On Thursday, the Iron County Prosecuting Attorney's Office formally charged Joseph A. Licklider, 29, of Desloge, Missouri, with a misdemeanor of taking a protected wildlife species.

Mountains lions are considered to be rare in Missouri. When a mountain lion is killed in the state, it’s protocol for MDC to investigate the incident and determine whether the death was necessary.

MDC reports that killing a mountain lion may be justified if they are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or if they pose a threat to human safety. Essentially, the circumstances must align with self-defense or protection.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, investigators concluded that "Licklider's actions were not justified and were illegal" in connection with the mountain lion's death.

Investigators say this determination was based on evidence from an undisclosed kill site, gunshot wounds on the animal, text messages, Facebook comments, and trophy photos.

Court documents state that Licklider contacted the Iron County Sheriff's Office to report that he shot a mountain lion while deer hunting and sought guidance on what to do next. He said that he and another person were sitting in a tree stand with intentions of hunting deer in Iron County when the mountain lion appeared.

Licklider reportedly told authorities he "got excited" after seeing the animal and shot it as it walked away. It's unclear, based on court documents, whether he recognized the animal as a mountain lion before firing shots.

In cases where killing a mountain lion is deemed unnecessary, such as this one, hunters could face penalties such as fines, suspended or revoked hunting privileges, and possibly charges or civil penalties.

Licklider is charged with a Class A misdemeanor of taking a protected wildlife species. If convicted, the classification of his charge could mean up to one year in jail or $2,000 in fines.

The Missouri Department of Conservation describes mountain lions as ambush predators that can be distinguished by their large size, uniform tawny brown color, long cylindrical tails with a black tip, and small, rounded ears that are not tufted.

Mountain lions can also help stabilize ecosystems by controlling herbivore populations, reducing invasive species, and increasing soil fertility and biodiversity. They are believed to be most common in Lewis, Madison, Warren, and Wayne counties in Missouri.