Mountain lion shot and killed in Slater

GUERNSEY (WNE) – As local ranchers Jeb and Lalonda Baker were sipping an early morning cup of coffee and looking out toward the horizon, they wondered why their dog was out agitating the cattle. When the dog came walking in between them, they knew something else was out near the calf pen. 
 
As Baker grabbed a pair of binoculars and took a closer look, all he could say was, “it’s a lion,” before heading for the gun cabinet. 
 
This mountain lion was a 130-pound male that was on the prowl close to Normandy Road on the Baker ranch in Slater. 
 
Although more lions are spotted west of the I-25 corridor, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, this one came east of the highway. The Bakers watched as the lion paced back and forth in front of the calf pen. It appeared to be stalking the cattle, according to Baker. 
 
Jeb and his son Harley were able to take the lion down with two shots. 
 
They immediately called the game warden, Jesse Niemerr, from the Wheatland office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, who investigated the incident.
 
According to Briana Ball, WGFD public information officer, the investigation proved a justified kill in the defense of property. 
 
“It’s sure not something you see every day,” Jeb Baker said. 
 
This is the second occurrence of the “something you don’t see every day” at the Baker farm, as last fall they saw a black bear on their property. 
 
In the rural areas of Wyoming, the domain is still frequented by various wildlife. Lions are more often reported near Glendo and Hartville, but sometimes they will wander in search of food. 
 
This story was published on March 28, 2023.