South Dakota man says he was attacked by a mountain lion
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:00 pm
Posted: March 2, 2008 10:33 PM MST
Updated: March 2, 2008 10:33 PM MST
By Amber Schatz
A KOTA Territory man eager to get some quality ice fishing in this weekend, got more than he bargained for, when he was attacked by a mountain lion near Sheridan Lake.
Ryan Hughes of Rapid City went ice fishing by himself Saturday, thinking the warm temperatures and the thick ice left on Sheridan Lake made for a good combination.
But, when Hughes stepped off the ice and just into the woods, he saw a mountain lion, with what looked like, a fresh kill in its mouth.
Before he could think, Hughes says the lion jumped on top of him, knocking him on his back. And at that point, he says it's pretty tough not to panic.
"You don't really think of anything other than to protect yourself so that's about all I could do, I just tried to get my hands up in front of my face and just started kicking with my legs in hopes it would get off." says Hughes.
It left, but not without leaving its mark with cuts and other puncture marks on Ryan's face, and deep gashes to his arm.
After treatment at the hospital, Hughes says he went out with Game Fish and Parks, to show them where the attack occurred, but he's not sure how he feels, about what happens when conservation officers catch it.
"I can't say either way, it's I'm not a firm believer that they should kill it because it attacked me, I think I was probably infringing on its territory and just happened to startle it and it was doing what it though it should do, it would be nice to know if it had rabies so I didn't have to continue rabies vaccine." he says.
Hughes had to have several rabies shots as a preventative measure. Our repeated calls to Game Fish and Parks were not returned.
Updated: March 2, 2008 10:33 PM MST
By Amber Schatz
A KOTA Territory man eager to get some quality ice fishing in this weekend, got more than he bargained for, when he was attacked by a mountain lion near Sheridan Lake.
Ryan Hughes of Rapid City went ice fishing by himself Saturday, thinking the warm temperatures and the thick ice left on Sheridan Lake made for a good combination.
But, when Hughes stepped off the ice and just into the woods, he saw a mountain lion, with what looked like, a fresh kill in its mouth.
Before he could think, Hughes says the lion jumped on top of him, knocking him on his back. And at that point, he says it's pretty tough not to panic.
"You don't really think of anything other than to protect yourself so that's about all I could do, I just tried to get my hands up in front of my face and just started kicking with my legs in hopes it would get off." says Hughes.
It left, but not without leaving its mark with cuts and other puncture marks on Ryan's face, and deep gashes to his arm.
After treatment at the hospital, Hughes says he went out with Game Fish and Parks, to show them where the attack occurred, but he's not sure how he feels, about what happens when conservation officers catch it.
"I can't say either way, it's I'm not a firm believer that they should kill it because it attacked me, I think I was probably infringing on its territory and just happened to startle it and it was doing what it though it should do, it would be nice to know if it had rabies so I didn't have to continue rabies vaccine." he says.
Hughes had to have several rabies shots as a preventative measure. Our repeated calls to Game Fish and Parks were not returned.