Mountain Lion encounters can be exciting and risky

Cougars or Mountain Lions are common in the west.

Photo by: Scott Syder, Lubbok TX, www.clearcaptures.com

Living in Colorado is unmistakably one of the most beautiful places on earth to be. Part of its grand appeal is its closeness to abundant wild life. Whether sitting at home enjoying a remarkable sunrise or trekking through the aspen groves with a backpack you may encounter some of these animals from time to time. Most of us look forward to such an encounter.

Although rare, you may have the fortune (or misfortune) to run into a big cat…Mountain Lion. Now and then we hear in the news that someone may have lost a pet from their yard or a Cougar has been spotted in the neighborhood. Generally speaking, there isn’t much to fear from these animals but, it doesn’t hurt to know ahead of time how to react if indeed you do happen to cross paths. Baiting an animal to entice its return is not a good idea. Feeding a Cougar anything (including your arm) is bad Juju.

Planning ahead:

1. When hiking or camping, make noise. Singing, talking, tieing a bell to your hiking stick, etc. will alert a Cougar without startling them. 
2. Hike or camp in pairs or small groups.
3. Keep young children close at all times and let them know why they shouldn’t wonder, walk children to school or the bus stop and teach them to identify paw prints.
4. Stay away from freshly buried kill. This most likely belongs to a Cougar and they can be touchy about their food.

What to do during an encounter:

1. Don’t feed them!
2. Don’t run as this may entice them to chase and attack through instinct.
3. Face the animal and never turn your back.
4. Pick up small children and put them on your shoulders. If they need to move to a safer spot, the adult should move toward the child in slow and fluid steps avoiding sudden jerky movements.
5. If the animal crouches or refuses to move away, wave your arms or clothing, growl and yell, show your teeth and snarl and, throw things like sticks or rocks.

What to do after an encounter:

1. Leave the scene immediately and seek medical attention if needed.
2. Report any Cougar sightings to the proper authorities.
3. Seek hard shelter if needed like a building or car, tents don’t work so well.

Remember, wildlife is extraordinary and its beauty should be respected. Cougar attacks are extremely rare and most people survive them. However, always have a plan and know ahead of time what you will do before a crisis happens. Talk through these steps with each other, get out there and be safe.

On the Palmer Divide south of Denver