Missouri man charged for illegally killing mountain lion while deer hunting

IRON COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) - A man from eastern Missouri has been charged with a misdemeanor for killing a mountain lion in November.

According to court records, on November 16, Joseph Licklider of Desloge, Missouri, reached out to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, saying he had shot a mountain lion while deer hunting and was not sure what to do with the animal.

Iron County investigators went to the scene and noticed the mountain lion had double ear tags, marked by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.

Licklider told authorities he and another person were sitting in a tree stand hunting deer when the mountain lion passed under the stand and walked away from them. According to court documents, Licklider told police he was excited to see the mountain lion and decided to shoot it as it walked away.

Authorities say mountain lions can only be killed in Missouri if they are attacking or killing livestock, domestic animals, or threaten human safety.

Investigators say due to evidence, texts, and trophy pictures, Licklider’s killing of the mountain lion was not justified and was determined illegal.

Licklider is scheduled to appear in court in February 2025.

Mountain lions are considered a protected species of wildlife under the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has a page dedicated to confirmed mountain lion reports. There, you can learn more about reporting mountain lions and what to do if you encounter a mountain lion.

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