These Surprising MT Areas Have The Most Lion Encounters

BUTTE, MT - Most Montanans will go their whole lives without ever seeing a mountain lion in the wild—and they’re probably okay with that.

Get our free mobile app

Stealthy, powerful, and solitary, these apex predators prefer to avoid humans altogether.

But make no mistake: we share the land with them. And in certain parts of Montana, sightings—and even close encounters—are on the rise.

Each year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks receives hundreds of mountain lion reports from across the state. Some turn out to be misidentified animals, but many are the real deal: mountain lions stalking deer near city limits, crossing hiking trails, or even staring down homeowners from the treeline.

The Top 7 Most Dangerous Places in Montana to See a Mountain Lion

As Montana grows and outdoor recreation expands deeper into wild territory, human-lion interactions become more frequent.

So where should you be most alert? Based on FWP data, local news reports, and wildlife management zone activity, these are the seven areas in Montana with the most notable history of mountain lion presence and encounters.

So, Should You Be Worried?

Not exactly. Mountain lions don’t want to meet you. In fact, they go to great lengths to avoid people, and attacks are exceedingly rare. But if you’re in one of these areas—especially near dawn or dusk—there are some simple precautions that can go a long way:

• Don’t hike alone, and keep kids close

• Avoid dawn and dusk excursions when lions are more active

• Keep pets leashed and bring them inside at night

• Make noise when hiking to avoid surprising a lion

• Carry bear spray—it works on mountain lions, too