Cougar habits-experience with cougars?

[ultrarunner]

Great radar!

I'm always looking up in big cat country. Dropping on prey is a favorite hunting method. There is a big oak that we often pass by, and there is a wide branch about 12' up that has no moss or lichen on the top side. I'm personally convinced it is a mountain lion roost, but I have never seen on there. Whether it hunts from there, caches food there, or just rests there, I have no idea, so it might be a roost for... something else like a tree climbing pig?

I find seeing a big cat above me to be very unsettling.

We see them a couple times a year. They keep their distance, and we keep ours.

Most of the cougar/mountain lion attacks in California have been trail runners, typically dawn/dusk.

All the best,

Peter

Sightings not uncommon in SF Bay Area.

At the tree farm is a large oak just behind the house and the dogs were out in the fence back making a racket... usually a person's trespassing or a rattle snake... but this time was not the case... About 10 feet up on a broad oak limb was a mountain lion sprayed out relaxing... best guess about 90 lbs.

 

[hslogger]

Cougars are back in the coast range, and valleys of Washington and Oregon. Roughly twenty years ago give or take the powers outlawed hound dogging and treeing the big cats for sport.
It has taken a while for them to rebound but they have quite well.

You do not want to RUN. nope nada no no. If you run they will, too, right after you. Stand your ground make a lot noise, raise your hands, appear larger than you are. Grab a stick or pistol but don't turn your back and run.

 

[LouNY]

To each their own. If I feel threatened enough to shoot something, it's going to die. I also would use something lethal... leave your #4 buck for something which can't kick your butt. (I consider buckshot to be a "hope it works" option... go big with a slug, or go home.) I might consider bear spray, it's supposed to be pretty potent.

I have considerable conficence in 27 pellets close to a quarter of an inch in diameter traveling over 1100 fps, it has been proven quite lethal in many situations. Especially as I can get those results repeatedly and quickly.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have considerable conficence in 27 pellets close to a quarter of an inch in diameter traveling over 1100 fps, it has been proven quite lethal in many situations. Especially as I can get those results repeatedly and quickly.

I understand that. Yet based on what I've seen deer hunting, it's also used as a "Hope it hits" type of shot, often resulting in a wounded animal running off. (I also know somebody who killed a black bear with a single shot .22 rifle, yet I don't condone that either.)

If I feel that I need to shoot something, I want to know that it's going down RIGHT NOW. I've faced down a cow moose, up close and personal; and I've faced down a black bear. The cow charged me twice and was 17 feet away when she turned each time; the bear was closer than that. It's amazing how quickly something that big can move... you might not get that second shot.

No doubt there were babies nearby both times, but I didn't know where so didn't dare move.

I was kind of trying to stay within the law as I kind of figured anyone had enough sense to do what needed to be done if they felt they or their family was in danger without posting it on a forum for any and everybody to see, I also don't believe that every animal has to be killed if you can give it a healthy fear of humans and what they can do, but I do believe if it comes right down to it that we are truly the apex predator and should be the final survivor.

I see your point. However, I can't condone intentionally wounding anything. Which is worse; a predator which doesn't fear you; or a wounded predator which doesn't fear you? I would try the bear spray first, with something at hand which throws a big chunk of lead as backup.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have considerable conficence in 27 pellets close to a quarter of an inch in diameter traveling over 1100 fps, it has been proven quite lethal in many situations. Especially as I can get those results repeatedly and quickly.

Agree. When frightened by a large predator (bear, cougar, etc), I’d rather have the “cloud” affect of buckshot than one slug. Just a injury hit or even the loud boom usually sends them running off.

 

[oosik]

We have cougars around here. OP was probably very lucky that he was not attacked. MANY years ago I lost six barn cats in one week. Not eaten - just ripped to shreds. Hunters have bagged some really large cats just five miles west of me.

Been here forty plus years. Never worried about cougars/mountain lions. However - I don't go out and wander around at night either.

 

[ultrarunner]

Living in a city of 450,000 +/- Fish and Game has issued depredatation permit for mountain lion attacking horses.

It caused quite a stir with extensive media coverage and law enforcement had a major issue with it.

Running into similar with bears in the Lake Tahoe region breaking into cars and homes but woe to the homeowner that injures or harasses a bear inside your home...

Animal control and city police useless as they refer to fish and game...

Fish and Game not available after hours and weekends.

The police office actually told me the community built in 1940's inside the city limits is historic bear habitat and people are the intruders...

Discharge of firearm inside city limits is punishable offense...

and there you have it in California.

 

[oosik]

And people are getting exactly what they want...... Let's just be sure we keep it in California.

 

[deserteagle71]

Mountain lions have killed two mule deer on my property in the 28 years I've lived here. They also take down some of the many mustangs running wild around here. Came across this near a cabin I take care of; the paw print was as wide as my boot:

 

[Eagle1]

Those prints are something. My old boy has huge feet his print is the size of my hand, yet a kitty print completely covered his.