RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Conditions are ripe for mountain lion hunting, but this year's cougar season in South Dakota is still off to a slow start.

Only six lions have been killed since the season started the day after Christmas. The Rapid City Journal reports three lions were shot during the first two weeks, with two more killed Sunday and another on Monday.

Game, Fish and Parks Regional Wildlife Manager John Kanta says he's surprised at the low number, given that there's good snow cover that should lead to good tracking conditions.

Kanta says the low harvest number is not the most reliable predictor of the lion population in the Black Hills. However, the latest estimate puts the population at about 240 animals, down from the 2011 peak of 400.

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