HAMILTON — A homeowner in the Bitterroot shot and killed a mountain lion after it returned to the property.

The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office reports the incident happened in the Avista Loop area of Hamilton after the animal had killed a goat and then returned to the carcass on Saturday morning.

USDA Wildlife Services removed the dead lion and it was reported that the death of the mountain lion was considered to be a justified kill.

There have been mountain lion sightings reported in recent weeks in the Corvallis, Florence, Hamilton and Stevensville.

Three lambs were killed in the incident that happened last month in the coal pit area in Corvallis.

A Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman told MTN News that they are not seeing an unusual spike in mountain lion sightings and incidents in the Bitterroot.

