Lake Co. Man Pays Fine for Shooting Mountain Lion

Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007

JUNIUS, S.D. (AP) - A Lake County man who was charged with illegally shooting a mountain lion last month says he's paid the fine rather than go through the expense and time of hiring a lawyer to defend him.

But Chuck McGillivray of Junius says he did not break the law.

State officials alleged that McGillivray shot a female lion while the big cat was traveling with another lion.

In order to protect lions with kittens, it is illegal to shoot lions traveling in groups.

McGillivray says he was not aware of the second lion until after he fired and saw it jump up and run away.

 (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)