Cougars
Jan 27th 2010 | 8:10 pm
#91
happy daisy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 690
From: French Alps
Re: Cougars
Ok so I googled it and found this answer written by a guy in the states seems pepper spray would work though squirting it at something coming at 500 mph at you may be a bit more difficult -
here's his full wordy response
Overall, cougar attacks are becoming more common given increasing human encroachment into mountain lion territory; all things considered, though, attacks are still exceedingly rare—maybe between a dozen to 20 per year in the United States.
Your odds of being killed by a dog are ten times as great. (Need anecdotal evidence? I have a large scar on my right thigh where I was bitten by a rottweiler while bicycling a year ago.) But, mountain lions do have one trait that bears do not: They'll actually stalk and hunt a hiker or mountain biker, attacking at an opportune time. However, almost every documented mountain lion attack in the past century has involved only one person. That is to say, mountain lions rarely attack groups. So hiking with a friend or a group may reduce the risk. Otherwise, if you see a mountain lion, the best advice is to look big and look aggressive. Stand up tall, hold out your arms, make a lot of noise.
Make it clear to the cat that you are NOT going to be an easy snack. Also, be sure to offer the cougar an exit strategy, so it won't just panic and charge straight ahead. Interestingly, dogs are not seen as a deterrent to mountain lion attacks. Most domestic dogs are easy prey for a mountain lion, so they actually can attract the big cats.
Pepper spray? Sure, cats have very sensitive noses, so that will work. The trick is hitting a very agile, fast-moving animal if it decides to attack. And, cougars are stealth hunters, so you might not even know it's there until it's too late. For peace of mind, though, Counter Assault is available from REI at $38 a canister (www.rei.com).
Overall, I think it's prudent to be wary when in cougar country, although I suppose it's also prudent to worry about rattlesnake bites, frostbite, poison ivy, bee stings, Lyme disease, and a bunch of other hazards that still remain more likely. In other words, pull this string and pretty soon you can't keep track of all the things you need to worry about.
here's his full wordy response
Overall, cougar attacks are becoming more common given increasing human encroachment into mountain lion territory; all things considered, though, attacks are still exceedingly rare—maybe between a dozen to 20 per year in the United States.
Your odds of being killed by a dog are ten times as great. (Need anecdotal evidence? I have a large scar on my right thigh where I was bitten by a rottweiler while bicycling a year ago.) But, mountain lions do have one trait that bears do not: They'll actually stalk and hunt a hiker or mountain biker, attacking at an opportune time. However, almost every documented mountain lion attack in the past century has involved only one person. That is to say, mountain lions rarely attack groups. So hiking with a friend or a group may reduce the risk. Otherwise, if you see a mountain lion, the best advice is to look big and look aggressive. Stand up tall, hold out your arms, make a lot of noise.
Make it clear to the cat that you are NOT going to be an easy snack. Also, be sure to offer the cougar an exit strategy, so it won't just panic and charge straight ahead. Interestingly, dogs are not seen as a deterrent to mountain lion attacks. Most domestic dogs are easy prey for a mountain lion, so they actually can attract the big cats.
Pepper spray? Sure, cats have very sensitive noses, so that will work. The trick is hitting a very agile, fast-moving animal if it decides to attack. And, cougars are stealth hunters, so you might not even know it's there until it's too late. For peace of mind, though, Counter Assault is available from REI at $38 a canister (www.rei.com).
Overall, I think it's prudent to be wary when in cougar country, although I suppose it's also prudent to worry about rattlesnake bites, frostbite, poison ivy, bee stings, Lyme disease, and a bunch of other hazards that still remain more likely. In other words, pull this string and pretty soon you can't keep track of all the things you need to worry about.
i wonder if NZ is a better place to move to
Jan 27th 2010 | 9:34 pm
#93
Thread Starter
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,311
From: Here
Re: Cougars
you better not eat anything. Farming crops is like stealing food from the herbivores and such, increasing farm production destroys their natural habitat, causing them to be hungry and having an impact on the carnivores. Tofu only for you and you can only drink the rain water that you catch yourself by setting a glass on your front step.
By the way, i leave my thread for one night and come back to 7 pages? Crikey!!
Jan 27th 2010 | 11:26 pm
#95
happy daisy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 690
From: French Alps
Re: Cougars
These are said to be the most effective on Cougars. To be used effectively, t's all about the timing.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/3...039bff61ca.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/3...039bff61ca.jpg
Jan 27th 2010 | 11:32 pm
#96
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,157
From: back in Cambs
Jan 27th 2010 | 11:34 pm
#97
Lost in Space
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 804
From: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Re: Cougars
Been here for 7 years and walked through forests LOTS of times and I'm deighted to report I haven't seen one yet hence why I'm able to write this!! I've seen lots of bears though!
Jan 28th 2010 | 1:30 am
#99
BE Troll
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,708
From: Upper Atmosphere
Re: Cougars
Jan 28th 2010 | 3:07 am
#103
happy daisy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 690
From: French Alps
Re: Cougars
I agree. I'm a tree-hugging, animal loving, happy-go-lucky veggie myself!
There will always be meat eaters and veggies, so why can't we all just get along without insulting one another's choices? won't change a damn thing
Jan 28th 2010 | 3:16 am
#105
happy daisy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 690
From: French Alps
Re: Cougars
i would beat it to protect my dogs - they are my kids after all, i just couldn't kill the thing, see?. i would happily beat up any other animal or person that intends on harming my dogs. wouldn't you?
