Starting in summer of 2025, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office began to receive information from residents in the Gold Run area regarding mountain lions, it was reported they are becoming a threat to the safety of the public that reside in the areas of Gold Run, Amesbury Drive and Hill Creek Road. One resident stated the mountain lions are frequenting the area of his residence. One lion was found under the deck at one point and had traditionally been hazed away from the residence. The lions return often and each encounter has resulted in more difficulty in hazing the lion away from human contact. The lions have become more and more comfortable around his home and the homes of others in the area. The belief is that the same pride of lions are affecting all residents based on the reports seen.
On October 14, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office contacted via telephone by a Gold Run resident. On Monday afternoon (October 13, 2025), the resident was exiting his residence with his two dogs. While walking towards a nearby tree on his property with the animals, he was approached by one of the lions. The lion walked out from under the tree and took a step towards him. The described distance between them was approximately 15 feet. The resident felt the lion was attempting to intimidate him making him feel threatened by the presence of the lion. After retrieving his dogs and he was able to get back inside the residence. He retrieved a shotgun feeling the threat to his animals and family was imminent. When he exited the residence, the lion had moved back down towards the creek bed.
On May 11, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted regarding additional mountain lions in the area. Five videos were sent regarding the presence of up to five lions crossing a resident’s property. These lions were walking near the residence including within feet of the home’s entrance and under the deck area. Residents have increasingly become concerned about the safety of animals and family if they wander away from the residence too far. The lions are clearly comfortable with human presence and are unconcerned about human presence or animals as a deterrent. There are several residences in the area. Neighbors have contacted law enforcement expressing increasing concern regarding the animals in the area.
The area is a rural area with residences and large acreage plots. The residence is occupied by families with small children to adults with small animals and grandchildren. While on scene, I saw juveniles and adults walking small animals and moving through the area. There is a creek that runs between the Gold Run residents and the residents of Hill Creek Road to the south.
Upon a canvass of the area, tracks and trails were coming within feet of the residence. It was clear the lions were using the property and circling the residence. The lions appear to be comfortable and habituated to the presence of humans in the area. I did not see any obvious signs of attractants at the residence. There were lights and cameras facing multiple directions as a deterrent to the lions. These deterrents are no longer effective. The lions are moving freely and without concern for human intervention.
A neighborhood canvass was conducted contacting several residents. All have acknowledged the presence of both lions and black bears in the area. Most of the residents contacted have seen lions on their cameras. One resident located a deer kill approximately 20 yards from his fence line. Another resident cares for cats that are abandoned in the area. Most are feral cats can be an attractant, but still expressed concerns about increase presence. Most residents have fencing placed as a deterrent as well. One resident removed an orchard as it was attracting predators to their property. The interactions have increased with the lions. The lion’s actions are increasing in frequency and the lions appear to have acclimated to human presence. Each residents told the Sheriff’s Office they understand that living in a rural area would result in contacts with predators, these lions are becoming a threat. Traditional hazing tactics including yelling, loud noises and chasing the animal have been ineffective for several months.
Based the statements and photographs received, it has become clear the hazing that has been attempted and the increased presence of the lions is becoming concerning to the nearby residents. The fact that five different lions are now occupying the area has increasing concerns about the potential for human-wildlife conflict. There is evidence the lions are remaining in the area over an extended period of time based on sightings and kills over the winter and spring months. The residents in this area have lived with this increasing presence since early 2025.
On May 13, 2026, Sheriff McGarva issued a declaration stating the lions are imminent threat to public safety. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in addition to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to bring a resolution to the evolving situation.
Those who have had contact with the mountain lions in the area are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 530-257-6121.
John McGarva, Sheriff-Coroner
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
