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Have you ever seen a mountain lion in the wild?

What to do if I encounter a mountain lion while hiking? What about other wildlife?

  • I've gotten into going to this 5 mile trail up in the hills/ mountains by where I live, which happens to be in mountain lion country(I'm in Southern California) There are signs posted warning about seeing 'signs of life' and has pictures of a mountain lion, deer, and a bear, so each time I go I get a little paranoid.. I've seen deer and wasn't really scared but I definitely haven't seen and don't want to run into any big cats or bears... How can I be prepared in case I do encounter one of those animals? Should I even worry about it? These past few years there's been reports of mountain lions coming down from the mountains and into the suburbs roaming around in people's backyards, OH and there's lots of coyotes that walk around at night and early in the morning Also I know there have been many rattlesnakes spotted there. When I go I sometimes hear a slight buzzing noise off in the distance that I'd say sounds kind of like sprinklers or some type of electrical buzzing? Is that the rattlesnakes?

  • Answer:

    If you enjoy frequenting these areas where wild animals live, take precautions. You might consider carrying a gun for protection or bear pepper spray (which can be used on any animal for protection). Not to say you're going to be attacked, but be prepared that it could happen. You would never be sorry if an attack occurred and were prepared to defend yourself, instead of feeling helpless and possibly being hurt or killed. Think through ahead of time, "what if" scenarios" that could occur while walking in these areas and what you would do. Wild animals can appear out of nowhere in your path and need to be prepared for this possibility. You have mentioned many animals (mountain lion, bears, coyotes, rattlesnakes to name a few). The more wild animals in the area you're walking in, the greater risk an encounter increases. - To avoid rattlesnakes, stay on the trail as much as possible. Take heed of any buzzing/rattling sound you may hear and avoid the area. - With any wild animal, it's best to hike with a group of people, which reduces your chances of being attacked. - For bears, if walking in an area where there's berries, make noise, whistle, make yourself known, to avoid potential encounter. If you see a mother bear with her cubs, take extra precautions, as mother bears will fight to their death if they feel their cubs are in danger. - Mountain lions usually stalk people before they are even aware of this. Your chances of being attacked by a mountain lion are actually less if you were to come face to face with one, rather than be attacked from above or behind. - Never run. This instantly makes you prey and their instinct to chase kicks in. Pull your arms up above you and make yourself appear larger. You are walking through the animals environment - so be prepared you could encounter them while hiking. Any thought or preparation beforehand will be to your advantage. You could encounter a wild animal and you might be o.k. - it does depend on their food supply at the time they encounter you, if there are a group of them (coyotes) or as mentioned above scenario with bears. http://www.divinecaroline.com/22175/79244-nature-s-nice-preventing-five-animal/2 http://pepperspray.lifetips.com/cat/59742/bear-pepper-spray-hiking-and-camping/index.html

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Okay.. See. Mountain lions are extremely shy. He sees you, you don;t see him. He wants NOTHING to do with you if you are a normal sized adult. If you get so very very lucky as to actually see one. Do not run. Back away slowly, make noise. and try to look BIG. Arms up, big wide stance, big RAWER.. Act like you are playing "monsters" with the kids. The only way you are going to get straight up attacked by a mountain lion is if you are right on top of its den, or it is in some way trapped, and can't find a way to get away from, without going through, you. Bears. Same deal. Make noise, back away slowly. DO NOT approach, look BIG. The slight buzzing you are hearing in teh distance is far more likely to be locusts that rattlers. When you hear a rattler you WILL KNOW. It makes your spine scream and seems to be coming from everywhere at once. If you hear that sound.. again.. back away slowly. Only one rattler in So cal will chase you any distance. The Mojave Green. He's kinda aggressive, but to be honest, A viper is no match for a human with a walking stick.

Liz

If you are afraid of animals, hiking is not for you. I have gone on many hiking trips and seen many lions.. bears.. coyotes.. wolves.. you name it, I've seen it and not far away either. Rattlesnakes rattle to warn you; it is not a threat, but a "please leave me alone!" warning, so just walk around them and give them a LOT of space. The sound you hear is probably bugs. Black bears are the only bears in your area. I'm not afraid of black bears and see no reason to be. Biologists will pick up a cub right in front of the mother; it's grizzly bears that are more of a concern. So do not worry about black bears. The only animal in your list I would even be a little concerned about is the mountain lion but even those attacks are extremely rare. Do not ever run or turn your back on a wild animal to walk away. If you must walk back, walk backwards. Don't climb a tree. Keep walking, ignore it, but stare at it so it knows it's seen you. You should carry "bear spray" (like pepper spray) just in case, if not just for peace of mind. Wild animal attacks on humans are uncommon. You should be more worried about encountering someone's loose dog! But if you're so worried about it that you would ask about it here, I don't think you should be hiking alone. Animals are aware when someone is afraid. Sometimes it doesn't matter. Sometimes it does. Depends on the animal. The best part about hiking is the wildlife. I love seeing a black bear on a hike. Nothing like it. I could sit and watch a mother with her cubs for hours. It's not any fun at all if you're afraid of them.

M

If you encounter a Mountain Lion, please follow these steps: 1) Remain Calm, do not panic (then view you as pontinel prey if you panic) 2) Back away slowly and stand tall, wave your arms, and shout! That will scare it and not attack you. 3) If you have children with you, pick them up slowly without bending. 4) If you are still attacked, fight back! If you encounter a Rattlesnake follow these steps: 1) Remain calm 2) Freeze when it rattles 3) Back away very slowly do not run 4) Try to stay away from it after back away far enough 5) If you are bitten, call 911 and go to the nearest hopitsal for treatment

YoshiWii1

Keep your distance from them and be aware of the snakes....carry a weapon such as a thick stick or a knife for protection only!!!! Thats my best advice

sam

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