So far this week, 45 percent of the licenses have been filled in the third week of South Dakota’s 2010 mountain lion hunting season. More than half of the limit on female mountain lions has been reached.

As of Monday, 18 mountain lions had been killed, 13 of them females, according to the informational hotline of the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks. The season will end March 31, or sooner if 25 female mountain lions or 40 total lions are killed.

Hunters are responsible for checking the harvest total before hunting by calling 866-895-9067. Hunters must report their kills within 24 hours at 394-2391, or call state radio at night and on weekends at 393-8121. The carcasses must be taken to the Rapid City office of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, at 3305 W. South St.