Should you run toward a mountain lion?

Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly. Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal.

What happens if you run into a mountain lion?

Humans don't look, smell or sound like a lion's typical animal prey, so mountain lion attacks on people are almost always defensive in nature. But even if the mountain lion doesn't intend to eat you – like it would a rodent or deer – if you are attacked, you must fight back with all of your strength and faculties.

What to do if a mountain lion is chasing you?

The National Park Service advises that if a mountain lion acts aggressively toward you, raise your arms, open your jacket and speak firmly in a loud voice. Without crouching or turning away, throw objects in its direction.

Will a mountain lion approach a human?

To people, not so much. Human encounters with mountain lions are rare and the risk of an attack is infinitely small. You are more likely to drown in your bathtub, be killed by a pet dog, or hit by lightning. If lions had any natural urge to hunt people, there would be attacks every single day.

Should you run at a cougar?

Don't run! Running will provoke the predatory chasing behavior of cougars, as it would with other predators such as bears, coyotes, and wolves. Pick up small children or pets that are with you. Directly face the cougar, but look at the cougar's feet, not directly into their eyes, to avoid appearing aggressive.

What To Do If You Run Into a Mountain Lion, Bear, and Other Wild Animals

Is it possible to outrun a cougar?

And FYI, you cannot outrun a mountain lion, they can run up to 50mph. Here's what you should do: Put your hands in the air, make noise, and act bigger than you are. If you have trekking poles, raise them up too and get ready to use them if it approaches you.

Should you look a cougar in the eyes?

Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes. Use rocks, sticks, bear spray or personal belongings as weapons. You are trying to convince the cougar that you are a threat, and are not prey.

How do you fight off a mountain lion?

If looking bigger doesn't scare the mountain lion off, without crouching or turning your back, start throwing stones, branches, or whatever you can reach in its direction (e.g., toward it, but not directly at it). Aim for the ground in front of it; don't throw things directly at it just yet.

What to do if you run into a cougar?

How do you know if a mountain lion is around you?

If a cougar is in the area and you are lucky enough to detect its presence, most often it will be due to “cougar sign” and not actually seeing the animal. These signs are evidence left behind after a cougar has passed through. Cougar signs include tracks, scat, scratches and cached (partially buried) prey.

Can a human fight off a mountain lion?

Humans are capable of fending off cougars, as adult humans are generally larger. It is even possible for humans to win a fight against a cougar, such as the case of Travis Kauffman, who choked a cougar to death when attacked while jogging.

Are mountain lions afraid of humans?

As it goes with most wild animals, mountain lions are more afraid of you than you are of them. In fact, studies have shown that the human voice is enough to send the big cats fleeing—even if they're in the middle of dinner.

What are cougars afraid of?

Cougar Signs

Experts such as Debra Chase, CEO of the Mountain Lion Foundation, say that cougars are mostly afraid of humans and don't see us as potential prey. Occasionally, though, humans fool them. Quick movements, such as running or bicycling, which make humans resemble prey, sometimes lead to cougar attacks.

What to do if you see a mountain lion on the trail?

Maintain eye contact. Never run past or away from a mountain lion. Don't bend over or crouch down. Aggressively wave your arms, throw stones or branches, do not turn away.

Should you scream at a mountain lion?

You do not want to give the mountain lion any reason to think you are prey. Attempt to appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice, like this guy does. Bang your hiking sticks together or clap your hands while yelling.

Do you scream at a mountain lion?

You can yell words, swear, or just scream at the cougar, so long as you sound aggressive. This may also attract assistance from others that will help scare the cougar away. Do not try to calm the cougar down with gentle language – it will not work.

Will a loud horn scare a mountain lion?

But mountain lions (aka: puma, cougar, catamount, panther, and so on) are different creatures. They stalk. So any sound you make may ATTRACT them, not deter them.

What scares a mountain lion?

Despite how large and dangerous cougars are, they'll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal. Plus, you can set alarms on timers to make sure they go off at certain times of the day when you've spotted cougars coming onto your property.

What time of year are mountain lions most active?

Mountain lions are solitary animals, traveling alone except during mating season or when a female is supporting young. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and dusk, corresponding with deer activity.

Will an air horn scare a cougar?

The Mountain Lion Foundation and others tell hikers to carry personal alarms or air horns to scare animals. Some experts, however, say it's not really known how animals react to such devices. In the end, Burgess prevailed.

How do you protect yourself from a cougar?

Try to remain standing to protect your head and neck. If attacked, fight back!! Use rocks, jackets, sticks to turn away the mountain lions. Report any mountain lion encounters or incident to the local Ranger District, or Fish and Wildlife Office.

What animals Can you not out run?

Do cougars stalk humans?

Cougars are solitary animals and like to hunt without being noticed. A cougar preying on humans is rare but does happen from time to time. Teddy Roosevelt, in 1901 states that cougar attacks “are exceedingly rare.”

What do you do if you see a mountain lion with a dog?

In case of an encounter with a mountain lion, the best way to ensure your and your dog's safety is to back away slowly while trying to look as big as possible—raise your arms or open your jacket over your head. Make noise by yelling, banging your water bottle, or blowing a whistle.

Who would win in a fight a bobcat or a mountain lion?

In a fight between mountain lion vs bobcat, the mountain lion would win. Bobcats are known for taking down predators larger than themselves, but the mountain lion is just too much larger and stronger. The fight would probably play out with one of the creatures stalking the other.