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Mountain Lion Defense
- Thread starter scoid
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
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- 129
Take someone you know with you , you don't even have to like them...it's prob better that you don't. While your unpacking your car to head for the woods "accidentlly"
hit the pigeon..er I mean buddy in the shins hard with your walking stick. Now that your buddy has a limp the cougar you are worried about will go for the weaker of the two of you as it's prey. While it's killing your buddy you can do 1 of 2 things video tape the attack and make big bucks on America's Funniest Videos or kill the cat and be a hero, either way you win AND get a new best friend out of the deal. Good luck.
hit the pigeon..er I mean buddy in the shins hard with your walking stick. Now that your buddy has a limp the cougar you are worried about will go for the weaker of the two of you as it's prey. While it's killing your buddy you can do 1 of 2 things video tape the attack and make big bucks on America's Funniest Videos or kill the cat and be a hero, either way you win AND get a new best friend out of the deal. Good luck.armlessbandit
BANNED
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- Sep 8, 2002
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dean i like the way ya think, it would be sweeter if there were hot chicks involved, are there hot chicks?
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- Apr 23, 2002
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- 3,818
I will offer an answer that may or may not be of use.
I hunt elk with a black powder rifle. The state decided to severely restrict methods of bear and cougar hunting. As a result they are more numerous.
This year, I had my Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. Would it be of much help?
I don't know. But, If I am going to be eaten, I at least want to get my licks in.
I hunt elk with a black powder rifle. The state decided to severely restrict methods of bear and cougar hunting. As a result they are more numerous.
This year, I had my Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. Would it be of much help?
I don't know. But, If I am going to be eaten, I at least want to get my licks in.
Thanks to all, especially Jebediah, for your excellent suggestions.
As I mentioned I hike alone, not by choice, I just don't have any friends
.
A dog would be me first choice but when you can't have one of your own it can be difficult to find one who feels like tagging along.
In consideration of a hand gun I agree with the gentleman who suggested a hammerless 357. If you see a cat you can survive an attack. It's the one you don't see that will kill you. They are stealthy creatures and will actually stalk humans for some time before pounching on the back sinking their teeth into the neck area then shaking the head violently in an attempt to break the neck. Under these conditions anything but a revolver would be useless. Even so, there's a strong chance a round will pass through the animal and back into the shooter. Taking time to compute a firing angle could make all the difference.
Singing a happy song with bells on your toes is also an excellent suggestion but if the animal is hungry you might just be ringing the dinner bell.
It seems to me the safest, most effective means of self defense in this scenario is the simplest, cold steel. I do not disagree with all the excellent suggestions about other methods. For me they simply aren't feasible.
With that in mind, I'd like to ask again for any comments about blade design for penetrating an animal's gut and slicing capability for opening the throat. Please feel free to suggest make and model such as the Recon Tanto which I am leaning toward at this time.
Thanks again,
As I mentioned I hike alone, not by choice, I just don't have any friends
. A dog would be me first choice but when you can't have one of your own it can be difficult to find one who feels like tagging along.
In consideration of a hand gun I agree with the gentleman who suggested a hammerless 357. If you see a cat you can survive an attack. It's the one you don't see that will kill you. They are stealthy creatures and will actually stalk humans for some time before pounching on the back sinking their teeth into the neck area then shaking the head violently in an attempt to break the neck. Under these conditions anything but a revolver would be useless. Even so, there's a strong chance a round will pass through the animal and back into the shooter. Taking time to compute a firing angle could make all the difference.
Singing a happy song with bells on your toes is also an excellent suggestion but if the animal is hungry you might just be ringing the dinner bell.
It seems to me the safest, most effective means of self defense in this scenario is the simplest, cold steel. I do not disagree with all the excellent suggestions about other methods. For me they simply aren't feasible.
With that in mind, I'd like to ask again for any comments about blade design for penetrating an animal's gut and slicing capability for opening the throat. Please feel free to suggest make and model such as the Recon Tanto which I am leaning toward at this time.
Thanks again,
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
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- Apr 13, 2002
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Do I smell Troll Sh*t?
Chris Keller
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- Jan 10, 1999
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- 399
Cougers are light bodied animals. Frankly, ANY gun is enough for one. Plenty have been killed with .22 rimfires.
That said, for defence a good Bowie knife would work, but if you do not want to be clawed, a staff would be better. If you get bit you will need a rabies shot series anyway, as the cat will possibly carry that virus, which is a threat more to be feared than the lion itself.
In Northern California awhile back three campers were attacked by one. They killed it with a shovel and a Buck folder. One camper had his thumb bitten off. The cat was found to be rabid.
Chris
That said, for defence a good Bowie knife would work, but if you do not want to be clawed, a staff would be better. If you get bit you will need a rabies shot series anyway, as the cat will possibly carry that virus, which is a threat more to be feared than the lion itself.
In Northern California awhile back three campers were attacked by one. They killed it with a shovel and a Buck folder. One camper had his thumb bitten off. The cat was found to be rabid.
Chris
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- Sep 25, 2002
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that was populated by cougars I would want a handgun, something in the .44Special/.45ACP class. And a Khukuri. You might only get one shot, make it count. If at all possible a buddy would be a good idea. Forgetting the threat of cougar for a minute, something as simple as a twisted ankle could make a two mile hike seem like two hundred. Buddies are good. If you can't carry a gun then any well made knife with a thrusting point and a 6"-8" blade would do. And prepare to be mutilated. Our 7lb tabby scratched the heck out of me and my wife. I shudder to think what a cougar could do. I think the guys here have given some pretty sound advice, I pray you never have to test a blade against a cougar. Good luck.
Frank
Frank
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- Oct 22, 2002
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- 701
yeah, but then again you weren't trying to KILL your 7lb tabby, were you? 
makes a lot of difference when you're trying to subdue and when you're going to finish it off
i'd go with the firearm route
a shotgun at close range with slug ammo will probably take down any animal stupid enough to attack you from the front
as i see it, the only thing better would be a flamethrower, yes?
if you're attacked from the back, you don't have a chance in hell
stay alert
makes a lot of difference when you're trying to subdue and when you're going to finish it off
i'd go with the firearm route
a shotgun at close range with slug ammo will probably take down any animal stupid enough to attack you from the front
as i see it, the only thing better would be a flamethrower, yes?
if you're attacked from the back, you don't have a chance in hell
stay alert
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
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- 8,911
If you are worried about your back, wear a high (up above the back of your head) tough backpack/packboard so he can't get to you from behind.
Or forget the pack but wear a full face motorcycle helmet strapped down tight to protect your head and neck.
Better yet, go where there aren't any cougars. If you know where they are, drive to somewhere they aren't to hike.
Or forget the pack but wear a full face motorcycle helmet strapped down tight to protect your head and neck.
Better yet, go where there aren't any cougars. If you know where they are, drive to somewhere they aren't to hike.
If you're not carrying a firearm, would recommend long slender type knife meant for stabbing with minimum blade length of 6", but 8" -10" would be preferrable in order to reach well into vital organs. Something on the order of a sharpened bayonet comes to mind, as well as some of the Tanto styled blades and some of the more slender Bowies. A blade that is truly going to give you the edge in a fighting self-defense situation will be too long for normal knife tasks.
If you survive the initial pounce and are being mauled, you'll want to go for thrusts thru the rib cage to heart/lung area of cat for quicker kills. Disemboweling him is fine, but you may not be able to reach that area to get to it without exposing yourself too much.
Of course spear, axe, hatchet, etc. would have advantages, but I'm assuming you won't be hiking carrying one of them if you're not going to carry a gun.
A good walking stick and perhaps a blue-jean jacket or vest to give some protection for claw scratches. A short sword/dagger would be better, just can't see going on a hike wearing one. A blade longer than 15-18" may be too long to thrust thru cat's side if you're flat on back being mauled.
If you survive the initial pounce and are being mauled, you'll want to go for thrusts thru the rib cage to heart/lung area of cat for quicker kills. Disemboweling him is fine, but you may not be able to reach that area to get to it without exposing yourself too much.
Of course spear, axe, hatchet, etc. would have advantages, but I'm assuming you won't be hiking carrying one of them if you're not going to carry a gun.
A good walking stick and perhaps a blue-jean jacket or vest to give some protection for claw scratches. A short sword/dagger would be better, just can't see going on a hike wearing one. A blade longer than 15-18" may be too long to thrust thru cat's side if you're flat on back being mauled.
A good concealed carry .45 auto, like a Glock 30. As far as knife is concerned, something along the lines of a Bowie with a 9+" blade. John Fitch has a couple chopper Bowies for sale over at KnifeArt.com. to be used on wild hog hunts. They are expensive, but they are probably the premium blade as far as a wild animal goes. Also, Larry Harley makes a good blade for a wild hog hunt. The blade should have some serious chopping and thrusting capabilities.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 175
Scoid:
Take a look at this website for info on human-lion interactions.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/index.html
Yes, there are documented incidents of people successfully defending themselves against mountain lions with knives and even rocks. Best defense is being informed, not acting like prey, and staying alert.
Lions attack from ambush, you're not going to look eye to eye with them. They go for the back of your neck, base of the skull. They don't go for your throat. You will probably be knocked flat on your belly. In Calif mountain lions can weigh 150 lbs (though I'd swear some of the lion carcasses I have carried weighed considerably more). You'll need to draw your knife quick (the lion's not going to waste time but be working to gnaw into your skull or neck to paralyze you). So, don't carry your knife on your front or in your pocket, it'll be pinned under your weight and the lion's.
If your laws allow, I'd go with the advice on carrying a handgun. For folks that venture in Lion country with kids, you'd be better off using rocks or a pistol to get a lion to let go of your toddler - - a knife's not going to do much good. Also, keep in mind that the hound dog walking with you may be the very reason the lion is stalking you. So, taking fido with you may put you in harms way instead of adding a measure of safety.
IMO
TT2Toes
Take a look at this website for info on human-lion interactions.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lion/index.html
Yes, there are documented incidents of people successfully defending themselves against mountain lions with knives and even rocks. Best defense is being informed, not acting like prey, and staying alert.
Lions attack from ambush, you're not going to look eye to eye with them. They go for the back of your neck, base of the skull. They don't go for your throat. You will probably be knocked flat on your belly. In Calif mountain lions can weigh 150 lbs (though I'd swear some of the lion carcasses I have carried weighed considerably more). You'll need to draw your knife quick (the lion's not going to waste time but be working to gnaw into your skull or neck to paralyze you). So, don't carry your knife on your front or in your pocket, it'll be pinned under your weight and the lion's.
If your laws allow, I'd go with the advice on carrying a handgun. For folks that venture in Lion country with kids, you'd be better off using rocks or a pistol to get a lion to let go of your toddler - - a knife's not going to do much good. Also, keep in mind that the hound dog walking with you may be the very reason the lion is stalking you. So, taking fido with you may put you in harms way instead of adding a measure of safety.
IMO
TT2Toes
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2002
- Messages
- 175
FYI:
This is a pic taken from a mountain lion autopsy by Calif State game wardens and veterinarians. The exam table is real big, and as you can see this cat fills it up. I'd hate to have this bad boy on my back.
(The guy who said Mt. Lions are light bodied ought to try lifting one of these boys.)
TT2Toes
This is a pic taken from a mountain lion autopsy by Calif State game wardens and veterinarians. The exam table is real big, and as you can see this cat fills it up. I'd hate to have this bad boy on my back.
(The guy who said Mt. Lions are light bodied ought to try lifting one of these boys.)
TT2Toes
Attachments
or you can carry a bear banger its a small pensized aluminum stick you snap a banger and it sounds like a gun the cat will run away for they are quite smart a know that sounds like a gun and its gone they usually dont hunt people its not a first choice meat so fire your bear banger and if you want carry a blade
Peter Capstick while guiding in Africa would get stuck dealing with leopards wounded by his clients. The wounded ones couldn't be ignored. They had to be tracked down and killed. This always involved tracking them into tight cover, brush, ravines, and wooded areas. Capstick developed protective gear for just this purpose.
He got a strip of corregated matal from a shed roof. He attached a small buckle to it so he could buckle it around his neck. That would keep him from being bitten badly there, which is certainly a favorite target for cats. Next, he took and old leather jacket, and glued hunks of linoleum to it. So when a cat sunk it's claws in, another popular activity for cats, it could not rip him. It could penetrate, making puncture wounds, but that's as far as the damage would go. Finally, he got hold of an old plastic football helmet. Whenever he went after a wounded lepord, this is the gear he used. Eventually one of his barers stole the helmet but he still wore the rest. I suggest wearing this to go hiking. What's more important, dying in style or surviving in the garb of an apparent idiot? You decide.
He got a strip of corregated matal from a shed roof. He attached a small buckle to it so he could buckle it around his neck. That would keep him from being bitten badly there, which is certainly a favorite target for cats. Next, he took and old leather jacket, and glued hunks of linoleum to it. So when a cat sunk it's claws in, another popular activity for cats, it could not rip him. It could penetrate, making puncture wounds, but that's as far as the damage would go. Finally, he got hold of an old plastic football helmet. Whenever he went after a wounded lepord, this is the gear he used. Eventually one of his barers stole the helmet but he still wore the rest. I suggest wearing this to go hiking. What's more important, dying in style or surviving in the garb of an apparent idiot? You decide.