California Fish & Game Code: Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are specially protected mammals in California. Unless a specific statutory exception applies, taking, injuring, possessing, transporting, importing, or selling a mountain lion or mountain lion product is unlawful.

The section contains limited possession exceptions, including qualifying pre-June 6, 1990 possession and certain authorized scientific or educational uses. A violation may be punished as a misdemeanor by up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $10,000, or both. The section also recognizes self-defense and defense of others.

Section 4801 allows CDFW, or an appropriate local public-safety agency authorized by CDFW, to remove a mountain lion perceived as an imminent threat to public health or safety. It also addresses certain threats to protected sheep species.

Section 4801.5 generally requires nonlethal procedures when a lion has not been designated an imminent public- health or safety threat. It defines an imminent threat in relation to aggressive behavior directed toward a person and describes nonlethal procedures broadly, including hazing, capture, veterinary care, rehabilitation, release, or taking no action.

A person, employee, or agent whose livestock or other property is being or has been injured, damaged, or destroyed by a mountain lion may report the incident to CDFW and request a permit to take the lion.

CDFW or a specifically authorized animal-damage control officer must act to confirm the reported depredation. The confirmation process must be completed as quickly as possible and no later than 48 hours after the report. If CDFW is satisfied that mountain lion depredation occurred, it must promptly issue a permit directed at the depredating lion.

A permit issued under Section 4803 expires 10 days after issuance. It authorizes pursuit to begin no more than one mile from the depredation site and limits pursuit to a 10-mile radius from the location of the reported damage or destruction.

When immediate authorization will materially assist in pursuing the particular lion believed responsible, CDFW or the authorized officer may orally authorize pursuit and take, followed by a written permit as soon as practicable.

A person issued a permit under Section 4803 or 4805 must report the capture, injury, or killing of a mountain lion to CDFW by telephone within 24 hours. If telephoning is not practicable, a written report must be made within five days.

The permit holder must arrange to transfer the lion or the recovered entire carcass to a CDFW representative in a timely manner.

A mountain lion encountered while it is in the act of pursuing, injuring, or killing livestock or domestic animals may be taken immediately by the property owner or the owner’s employee or agent. The take must be reported to CDFW within 72 hours.

CDFW must investigate. If the lion was captured, injured, or killed, the lion or recovered entire carcass must be turned over to the department. CDFW conducts necropsies on returned carcasses and reports the findings through the statutory process.

Section 4808 defines “agent” for this chapter. The definition includes an owner’s agent or employee and certain specified government, animal-damage control, departmental, or registered houndsman personnel.

Section 4809 requires an authorized mountain lion take to use the most effective means available to take the lion causing the damage or destruction. Poison, leg-hold or metal-jawed traps, and snares are expressly prohibited for this purpose.

CDFW may authorize qualified individuals, educational institutions, government agencies, or nongovernmental organizations to conduct mountain lion research under a Scientific Collecting Permit. Authorized activities may include pursuit, capture, temporary possession, marking, monitoring-device placement, veterinary care, sampling, and transport.

Projects must contribute to ecological knowledge, minimize disruption, support healthy mountain lion populations and ecosystems, and prevent permanent injury or killing. Permits address methods, animal care, personnel qualifications, recordkeeping, and reports. CDFW must provide public notice at least 30 days before permit issuance. Subdivision (g), not subdivision (d), addresses mortality or permanent injury resulting from authorized research.