POCATELLO — Authorities are asking residents to use caution while outdoors after a mountain lion confronted a man south of Pocatello late Friday night.

The encounter occurred around 11:30 p.m. at Fort Hall Mine and Portneuf roads when a mountain lion walked up to a man who was checking the game cameras he had posted near the intersection, authorities said.

The big cat startled the man and he quickly retreated to his pickup truck and drove away, according to the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, who was not injured during the encounter, then contacted the Sheriff’s Office and deputies were sent to the area to investigate.

The deputies searched the area for the mountain lion but could not find the animal.

The man’s identity has not yet been released.

The Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to be careful while outdoors because of the mountain lion.

Last month authorities fatally shot an injured mountain lion in the Buckskin Road area east of Pocatello after the big cat killed a resident’s dog.

Residents are being encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately regarding any mountain lion sightings.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 208-236-7111.