Missouri Man Charged for Illegally Killing Mountain Lion in Iron County

Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Missouri man is facing a misdemeanor charge after allegedly killing a mountain lion while deer hunting in Iron County earlier this year.

Court documents indicate that Joseph Licklider shot the mountain lion in November 2024. According to an agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Licklider admitted to shooting the animal as it was walking away, which does not meet the state’s legal criteria for killing a mountain lion.

In Missouri, it is illegal to kill a mountain lion unless the animal is attacking livestock, domestic animals, or poses a threat to human safety.

Investigators say evidence collected at the scene, along with text messages and a social media post, suggest Licklider’s actions were unjustified.

Licklider is scheduled to appear in court in February 2025 to face the charges.