Not where I'm going; where I live! Vancouver Island. For those not familiar with geography, that is off the southwest coast of British Columbia, which is Canada's westernmost province. Vancouver Island has the highest density of cougars of any area in N.America.
We've already had 2 cougar attacks this year, not far from where I live. We have several attacks every year. I have personally seen cougars in the wild, which did not attack me, but I know a fellow who was. He now wears a cap that says "Cougar Bait" on it!!!! Oh yeah, last year a logger saved himself from an attacking cougar with only his Buck folder....very lucky.
Cougars are much more predictable than bears, when it comes to attacks on humans. Look at a house cat; at it's automatic, instinctual "stalk-pounce-eat" behaviour. That is what cats do. They cannot help it, because they are carnivores. Because they only eat meat, they are programmed to kill other animals, given any opportunity. Smaller animals, like deer fawns and human children, are especially attractive to cougars, since they prefer victims, not challenges. But, when they must eat, they will take down whatever is available. Because their only goal is to kill you, rather than merely chase you away from their young (like some bears), you will die if you do not fight back.
Our cougar population is increasing here, just as it is all over western N.America, contrary to popular belief. Extremist "preservationist" environmental groups would have us believe they are endangered, but that is a lie. And, cougar attacks have been increasing over the past 10 or 15 years.
These environmentalist groups would also have us believe that most bear attacks on people are caused by people doing something "wrong". They ignore the fact that bears are PREDATORS...hello!!!
B.C.'s bear population is also increasing, due to government policies influenced by environmentalist groups' pressure, which have resulted in things like hunting bans, and restrictions on the authority of wildlife officers in dealing with problem animals.
Oh, and we also have many wolves here. Wolves have attacked loggers and hunters in the recent past.
So there you go....this is where I live and play! And I wouldn't live anywhere else!
...(I have one, and it's too big & heavy of a pistol to pack around all day on a hike)...But then, if you ARE going to be around large hungry bears... :thumbup: 
