What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

#WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION HOW TO#

It may be called вЂњbear sprayвЂќ, but it also works on mountain lions. Additionally, a mountain lion typically goes for its preyвЂ™s neck or head, so try to keep standing on your feet and face it. Plenty of people have successfully fought off a cougar before. Use whatever tools or weapons you have, from rocks and sticks to hiking poles, knives and even your bare hands. Fight back! вЂ“ In case the mountain lion attacks you, you have to fight back with all your might.If it keeps moving toward you, throw things directly at the animal. First, try not to kit the cougar, since thereвЂ™s no need to hurt it (yet). Do that without bending down or turning your back to it. That includes rocks, stones and branches. Throw things вЂ“ If the animal doesnвЂ™t back away, start throwing things in its direction.Make any sound that makes it clear youвЂ™re not prey. Bang your water bottle, shout, yell, clap your hands. Be loud вЂ“ Another essential tip for what to do if you encounter a cougar is making noise.Running away might make them think you are one. Never-ever!-run away вЂ“ Deer are the favorite prey of mountain lions.Give the cougar a way to escape вЂ“ Never approach a mountain lion, particularly if it has kittens or is feeding.You can also waive your arms slowly and open your jacket. Make yourself as big as possible вЂ“ Lift up your backpack and hiking poles, pick up children, keep pets close and stand close to your fellow hikers.Keep facing the mountain lion and stand tall. Remain calm вЂ“ Always hold your ground and walk away slowly, never turning your back to the animal.

#WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION HOW TO#

Other tips for how to survive a mountain lion encounter are the following: Either way, when hiking in a region where mountain lions live, you have to let them know youвЂ™re not prey.ДЄs mentioned above, you can do that by making noise and hiking in groups. Sometimes, however, they might come closer and show themselves, as theyвЂ™re trying to figure out whether or not youвЂ™re a potential meal. You might, therefore, not even see a mountain lion attack coming. TheyвЂ™re very quiet and will typically track and follow their prey for a while before pouncing. ItвЂ™s also critical to know that mountain lions are stalkers. You have to take the situation seriously.

IвЂ™d love for you to realize how fortunate you are to experience this, but itвЂ™s even more important to know what to do if you encounter a mountain lion.

Image credit: NPS What To Do If You See a Mountain LionДЄ mountain lion encounter in the wild is exceptional. Mountain Lion Safety Tips While Hiking: What To Do & How To Behave Therefore, you need to be aware of the animalsвЂ™ presence when hiking in mountain lion habitat and know what to do during a mountain lion encounter. When they do, theyвЂ™re often a surprise and always frightening. In this post, IвЂ™ll talk about mountain lion safety and what to do when you see a mountain lion while hiking.ДЇirst of all, itвЂ™s important to know that mountain lion attacks are very rare. In the United States, too, theyвЂ™re very common and encounters between humans and mountain lions become increasingly frequent as more and more people enjoy the state and national parks in America. TheyвЂ™re one of the most widespread large land mammals in the Western Hemisphere. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here.Д®ncountering a mountain lion in the wild is both a thrilling and terrifying experience.ДЄlso known as cougars, catamounts, panthers or pumas, these huge cats thrive in virtually all environments in the Americas, from southern Argentina to the Yukon. This what to do during a mountain lion encounter post contains affiliate links.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC/TN.

People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. What you want to do is convince the lion you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to the lion.

If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back.

If you have small children with you, protect them by picking them up so they won't panic and run. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack.

Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely.

Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation.

Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens.Talk with children about lions and teach them what to do if they meet one. Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea it can be used to ward off a lion. Go in groups when you walk or hike in mountain lion country, and make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion