South Dakota Mountain Lion Public Opinion Poll

Mountain Lion Management in South Dakota Appendix C
Larry M. Gigliotti Comments from Public Meetings
101. I would suggest that regardless of cost, that GF& P continue to handle
problem lions. I don’t see a major problem at this point with mountain lions
that would call for a wide-scale lion-hunting season. I would suggest more
action on public education and research. Don’t limit yourselves to seeking
input from the minority (however vocal) that hunts. I think that having
mountain lions in South Dakota is important and makes our state special.
102. Have a season. Why wait until someone is killed. People have said lock
up livestock to protect them. This would be very rough on livestock, as it
would cause lots of sickness, especially if you have to put them in barns or
sheds. I feel that there are lots more lions in the Black Hills than you say.
Especially with the “no kills” in 2004.
103. Hunt with dogs. Have the season separate from the elk/deer seasons.
Hunting season for residents only.
104. Great job, best of luck with it. Find a way to use hounds.
105. As a former WL/Fish biologist @ Hamly Rd (Hill City – USDAFS) in the
late 1980’s and early 1990’s – the FS was already managing habitat for an
existing mountain lion population. Numerous sightings and confirmations
were noted in the Hill City to Custer area. Research from Dr. Fred Lindzy
(University of Wyoming) and Dr. Maurice Hornocker (University of Idaho)
was utilized on a research brief I wrote to support mountain lion habitat
management at that time. After moving and continuing a career in WL in
Oregon and Wyoming it was interesting to note the differences between states
with mountain lion seasons and those without. Oregon had a major mountain
lion season utilizing hounds until it’s citizens voted it down about 1994.
Following the elimination of the hunting season a noted increase in mountain
lion/human interaction occurred in the Bend and Prineville, Oregon areas. It
was noted by us biologists this was the “people’s choice” due to the vote by
the people in Oregon at the time. As a former wildlife biologist with some
research into mountain lions and their habitat, I support appropriate
management and considerable research base. Your department is on the fight
track and a mountain lion season to maintain a viable, healthy and safe for
human mountain lion population. P.S. I sympathize where you as a
department are at with public meetings. After surviving meetings on
goshawks and mountain pine beetles and the public – it’s difficult to maintain
your composure, professionalism and sanity.
106. I have seen cats in the Black Hills since 1988. I have worked for the
Forest Service and as a deputy sheriff in Lawrence County up to 1998. On
night patrol in the county it was not uncommon to see cats several times a
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