No Sign Found of Lions in Reported Attack

Accompanied by hunting dogs, state fish and game officials on Sunday found no sign of two mountain lions that reportedly attacked a hunter.

Robert Nakatani Jr. was recovering from injuries suffered when one of the animals latched on to his right foot Saturday. The hunter said he shot the animal as it chewed on his leg.

“He was on me like that, had his mouth on my foot, and my shotgun barrel was right there and I just pulled the trigger. That’s how I know I got a good, decent clean shot on him,” Nakatani told KCBS radio in San Francisco. He was in good condition Sunday.

Nakatani, 27, of Dixon, said his gunshot injured the attacking lion and possibly killed it. The other mountain lion was not shot.

The attack occurred near Lake Berryessa in Lake County. Motorists in the area have reported seeing mountain lions in recent weeks, officials said.

Department of Fish and Game rangers and dogs searched the attack site and surrounding areas Sunday but found no trace of the mountain lions, said agency spokesman Jeff Weir.

“We were half expecting to find a wounded or dead lion,” Weir said, adding that there were no signs of fresh animal tracks or blood.

If confirmed, the mountain lion attack would be the second in California this year, authorities said. A mountain biker suffered head injuries in March when a mountain lion attacked him near Los Angeles.