Man who killed mountain lion says he felt threatened

CAMDEN, Mo. -- A Ray County man has admitted that he, not a cattleman, shot a mountain lion Jan. 2, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Officials say the admission brings their investigation to a close, and there will be no charges because the shooter feared for his life.

James "Jimmy" McElwee, 29, of Camden admitted he shot the 115-pound mountain lion while hunting raccoons in rural Ray County. His confession followed the admission by Bob Littleton, 60, of Richmond, Mo., that his initial claim of shooting the mountain lion was false.

According to Larry Yamnitz, department Protection Division chief, McElwee admitted to the shooting, saying he feared for his life.

"He followed his dogs up a draw and shined a light up into a tree and saw eyes that were too far apart for a raccoon," Yamnitz said. "When he realized it was a mountain lion, he was afraid to run, thinking it might attack him."

The mountain lion is a protected species under the Wildlife Code. The code allows the killing of any mountain lion attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals, or threatening human safety. Anyone who kills a mountain lion is required by law to report the incident to the Department of Conservation immediately, and the intact carcass must be surrendered within 24 hours.

To report a sighting, physical evidence or other incident, contact a local conservation department office or conservation agent, or e-mail the department's Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.