How to Avoid a Mountain Lion Attack
By: Rayyan Ibrahim
Tags: Survival, Hiking, Wildlife, Mountain Lion, Outdoors

Whether you call them puma, cougar, mountain lion, catamount, mountain screamer, panther, ghost cat, or another of its 40 different names the species Puma concolor ranges across the Americas from the West Coasts of Canada down to the Southern regions of Argentina. Even with such a wide range, these cats are rarely ever seen. These cats are secretive and you are incredibly lucky to ever see one, but chances are the cat will have seen you before you ever get a glimpse of them. While they are rare and elusive cats, as humans encroach on their territory human-wildlife conflict grows. They will take dogs left outside at night and have attacked hikers. These cats are not evil, this is a result of us encroaching on their land. What should you do if that cat starts approaching you? How can you avoid becoming a target? Well, there are several steps you can take to avoid becoming a target and actions you can take if you come face to face with one of the most successful predators in all of the Americas.

Preventing the attack:

Mountains lions will attack for two reasons. They may attack if they feel you are a threat to their territory, their kill, or their cubs. A mother mountain lion will defend her cubs with her life and if she feels that you are a threat she will neutralize that threat as soon as possible. Another reason they may attack is if they see you as a meal. There are ways to prevent both types of attacks. First, when in mountain lion territory make yourself a less appealing meal. Mountain lions size up their meals from the shadows, it will judge whether you are worth the potential risk to hunt. A good way to avoid this is to travel with a buddy and do not separate. Predators like to pick targets that are alone or have strayed away from the group. Try to avoid hiking during their feeding times, the main times they hunt is at dawn and dusk. During these times the cat will be out stalking prey. While the chances are low that it finds you and starts sizing you up if you are going alone avoid going at dawn or dusk. Always care a hiking pole or other device that can be used as a weapon on you, not only will it help protect you from an aggressive mountain lion but if the cat starts approaching you it can help make you look bigger. As for territorial disputes, simply avoid areas where mountain lions are known to have their cubs. If you see any signs of mountain lion activity near a cave or den, back up and avoid going near it again.

What if you see the mountain lion?

This is what a mountain lion will generally look like when stalking prey except they would be behind cover like bushes, logs, or tall grass.

If somehow you have spotted a mountain lion you need to read its behavior before you stop to take photos. If it is low to the ground in tall grass and staring at you, it is likely stalking you. If it is still moving or sitting still in that position it likely doesn’t know you have already seen it. Make it apparent that you have already seen it. Cats are generally very reluctant to hunt prey that has already seen them. You can do this by yelling in its direction and making loud noises. This will discourage further stalking. Whatever happens, never run from a mountain lion. This should be the rule for any predator, but especially with mountain lions. You can not outrun a mountain lion, these cats can go 45–50 mph (72–80 kilometres per hour). Cats have a really strong prey drive, meaning if you run they automatically assume that you are scared of them. The only reason you should be scared of them is if you are weaker than them (which you generally are) or a potential prey item so they will automatically start chasing you. If you run you are also exposing the back of your neck to the cat, they often target the throat so you give the cat even more incentive to give chase. If the cat is acting aggressive (hissing and growling at you, trying to intimidate you), simply start backing away but walk backwards with your eyes on the cat in case it charges. If it is not doing either of these things you may stop and take pictures of an animal you may never see in the wild again and then quietly back away, but no matter what do not take your eyes off the back, always walk backwards. Mountain lions are solitary and have massive territories (males can have territories upwards of around 390 square miles) so you are likely seeing the only one in the area unless it is a mother with cubs. No matter what do not give the cat an opportunity to get your neck so do not crouch down or bend over, it makes you an easy target for the mountain lion.

If it advances what do you do?

If the cat advances make sure you make yourself look as big as possible. You want to make yourself look intimidating. While still backing down put your child on your shoulders, or anyone in the group whom you can have on your shoulders. Grab branches and sticks and wave them around while yelling. It may sound dumb, but mountain lions are intelligent. When stalking prey they will assess if it is worth the risk to attempt to make a kill. The bigger you look, the less likely it will be that the cat continues its advance. If it keeps advancing and gets way too close start throwing rocks, logs, branches, pebbles, sand, and any other small objects you have at the cat. Just be careful not to bend over or crouch at all. Try to grab things that you can grab without bending down, assuming you are hiking grab a branch or a if you have a rock face to one side grab a loose rock. This should discourage it and warn it that you are not going down without a fight. If it does attack prepare to fight back. Aim for its eyes, whiskers, ears, and nose. If it attempts to restrain you kick it while covering your neck with your hands. Remember, its target is your neck and if it bites you there you will likely be dead. Mountain lions are powerful but after sustaining a few injuries they will realize it is not worth it and retreat. After the mountain lion is fought off, immediately go to a hospital to get your wounds treated.