Sunday was the last day of the 2013 mountain lion hunting season in the Black Hills and in South Dakota.  In previous years, the season limit of lions was reached well before the end of the season.  This was also expected this year.  It didn't turn out that way.  The limit this year was 100 lions. As of Sunday, the total killed was 61.  There may be more reported yet.  This is even less than last year's total of 73.  With more hunters this year than ever before and a record number of licenses purchased, you would think there would be more lions taken.  Looks to me like there are not as many lions as previously thought. 

These are such beautiful animals who have been given a bad rap by persons, organizations, etc. who insist that the mountain lion is a dangerous killer stalking the streets of South Dakota looking for humans to eat. Attacks on humans by mountain lions is extremely rare.  Mountain lions are afraid of humans and do not like human interaction. 

Theses animals are necessary for the ecosystem preservation in South Dakota.  Deer is the main food for the mountain lion and without the lion in existence, the deer population would explode along with the deer tick.

What are your thoughts?