Mountain Lions, I have a new respect.

I always thought cougar, mountain lion, puma were just different names for the same animal...

A few snips from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar):

"The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther, depending on the region, is a mammal of the Felidae family, native to the Americas."

"The cougar has numerous names in English, of which puma and mountain lion are popular. Other names include catamount, panther, mountain screamer and painter. Lexicographers regard painter as a primarily upper-Southern U.S. regional variant on "panther",[6] but a folk etymology, fancying a resemblance between the typically dark tip of its tail and a paintbrush dipped in dark paint, has some currency.

The cougar holds the Guinness record for the animal with the highest number of names, presumably due to its wide distribution across North and South America. It has over 40 names in English alone.[7]"

"... Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition) recognizes six subspecies, five of which are solely found in Latin America:[1]
  • Argentine puma (Puma concolor cabrerae)
  • Costa Rican Cougar (Puma concolor costaricensis)
  • Eastern South American cougar (Puma concolor anthonyi)
  • North American Cougar (Puma concolor couguar)
  • Northern South American cougar (Puma concolor concolor)
  • Southern South American puma (Puma concolor puma)
"
 
linked to wiki is this:
http://www.cougarinfo.org/attacks3.htm

although I personally know of one mountain lion attack on a family dog that is not listed here.
That cat had previously stalked family members & snowmobilers & was subsequently shot by a professional cat hunter.
She was a skinny female with a badly damaged front paw - likely from a trap.
 
Miasma said:
Just very happy we just have roo's to worry about here.
Click to expand...

Just roos? How about the five most-venomous snakes in the world? Aggressive buggers, too, like the Bushmaster. Oh, and the killer jellyfish, sharks, deadly insects of all description, crocs, etc.

I'll take my chances with lions and bears, thank you very much. :)

Gordon
 
gaj999 said:
Just roos? How about the five most-venomous snakes in the world? Aggressive buggers, too, like the Bushmaster. Oh, and the killer jellyfish, sharks, deadly insects of all description, crocs, etc.

I'll take my chances with lions and bears, thank you very much. :)

Gordon
Click to expand...

But mate, I'm from round these parts! If I saw a frigging lion or a bear I think I'd squeal a lot harder than I would than if I saw a brown snake or a croc or something! :D
 
When I'm out in the wild here in the North East, I carry bear bells. Similar to those "jingle bells" the reindeer wear;).

I had one occasion brook fishing when I actually unintentionally "snuck up on" a large black bear (within 15 feet) and we both nearly unloaded our pants when we saw each other.

If a bear hears you coming, you'll normally never see it.

Don't know if this would work on cats, but it works great for bears. Since I've been carrying them, I haven't seen another bear.

Evidently, they also work well in keeping lions, tigers, rogue elephants and hyena's away because I haven't seen any of those either.:D
 
I love the posters who say you have "no chance against a cougar"


The fact is, that out of 75 cougar attacks on people between 1991 to 2003 almost 90% survived. Many with no weapons at all.
 
timcsaw said:
When I'm out in the wild here in the North East, I carry bear bells. Similar to those "jingle bells" the reindeer wear;).
Click to expand...

Reminds me of the joke about the difference between black bear and grizzly scat:

Black bear: has berries and may have fur in it

Grizzly: has bells in it and smells like pepper


:)
 
timcsaw said:
Don't know if this would work on cats, but it works great for bears.
Click to expand...

As I recall, research has not found bear bells effective. Yes, they can hear them just fine; no, they don't seem to recognize that that puzzling noise is made by an approaching, possibly threatening, animal.

Sorry, I don't have any references to give you, but I've read this several times over the years.
 
Walkabout said:
Reminds me of the joke about the difference between black bear and grizzly scat:

Black bear: has berries and may have fur in it

Grizzly: has bells in it and smells like pepper


:)
Click to expand...

Evolute said:
As I recall, research has not found bear bells effective. Yes, they can hear them just fine; no, they don't seem to recognize that that puzzling noise is made by an approaching, possibly threatening, animal.

Sorry, I don't have any references to give you, but I've read this several times over the years.
Click to expand...

That's something I've always wondered about when it comes to Grizzly and big cats in regards to wearing bells... Them two critters may just mistake the sound of those bells for "dinner" bells!:D:eek:
 
While working on Kodiak Island, a local told me that brown bears (Kodiak Bears) have learned to identify gun shots and bell sounds as "food" bells. This has created a serious problem for deer hunters. You are not permitted to "defend" your kill.
 
I live in Washington State and own a cabin near Mt. St. Helens. In just that area I have personal knowledge of 5 cougar attacks (I have seen two of the dead cougars) in the last 15 years. Four were non-injury. One was almost cetainly a fatal attack but no body was ever found so despite clear evidence the authorities will not call it an attack.
I believe the non-injury attacks go way under-reported.
 
If I were going to be in mixed lion / bear territory, I think my weapon of choice would be either a Glock 10mm or a compact 44 mag - either one backed up with a stout fixed blade knife with a blade in the 5-8" range. The two firearms provide a good compromise between firepower and light weight. They also would work well to defend yourself against the two legged predators. The knife would be a good backup if the animal is on you and you can't reach / deploy other weapons. It would also be handy for normal camp / hiking uses - such as cutting a limb to use as a cane / crutch if you sprain your ankle (which is a LOT more likely than ever even seeing a lion or bear). Of course, according to some studies and experiences, we'd all be better off carrying a big can of bear spray...
 
Last edited:
I got an email the other day recommending wasp spray as more effective than the pepper spray and can be used at longer distances + it is cheaper. Also good for protection against human predators and no laws against it!!
 
Jagged said:
The knife would be a good backup if the animal is on you and you can't reach / deploy other weapons. It would also be handy for normal camp / hiking uses - such as cutting a limb to use as a cane / crutch if you sprain your ankle (which is a LOT more likely than ever even seeing a lion or bear). Of course, according to some studies and experiences, we'd all be better off carrying a big can of bear spray...
Click to expand...

I usually have a knife in that range strapped to my pack, but it's usually on the back where I can't reach it, because I carry it for those normal camp/hiking uses, which generally only happen when I'm at camp and my pack is off my back. Maybe I need to re-think that, and find a way to secure it in a place where it will be easy to draw. I usually have a small knife on the belt strap for my pack, but I doubt that'd do much against a lion.
 
Ed Fowler said:
I got an email the other day recommending wasp spray as more effective than the pepper spray and can be used at longer distances + it is cheaper. Also good for protection against human predators and no laws against it!!
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Have you used a cannister of bear repellent pepper spray? It blasts much farther, with a much wider area of coverage, than wasp spray.

For that matter, if the wind blows it back on me, I'd rather get a dose of bear repellent than wasp poison.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top