Pepper Spraying Cougar

[chupacabra]

I ride up on the Monroe Truck Trail in Glendora weds nights. There have been a few mountain lion sightings and one attempted attack on Glendora Mountain Road.
So I bought some pepper spray today.
What do you think? Am I only wishing? Both of us have the spray so if something should happen, one of us should be able to get the spray out and do something???

Another question. The spray I have is meant for face to face confrontations between humans. It is a stream of gel. The bear pepper spray is a fog. I can only find the fog kind in the large bear size and its too big to carry anywhere that is remotely handy. Has anyone found the fog type in smaller canisters?

[Stray_Bullit]

They should have read the sign!

[art23rockpile]

Umm... i'm not sure that i'd ever want a mt. lion within pepper-spraying range. I don't know that one would close on you if you were facing it, anyway... and if it was able to get near you from behind, it would probably be on you before you could do anything. I'd be carrying something *cough* that has a greater range and effectiveness than pepper spray... but that's just me.

[drclark]

From what I have read, mountain lions generally attack their prey from behind and that victims rarely know they are being stalked until it is too late. People who live and hunt in big-cat country will often wear a mask on the back of their head in an attempt to disuade the cats from attacking.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jul/01spec3.htm

Gluing some googly-eyes from a cookie monster or such doll to the back of your helmet may be more effective in preventing an attack.

That being said, carrying something will generally be better than carrying nothing so you can attempt to fight off a lion that has attacked your buddy. If you are the victim, you most likely won't be able to get it out and use it. Best bet is to not ride alone in areas where mtn lions have been sighted and avoid thier prime hunting hours.

drc

[jeffj]

It was on NBC news this morning that a MTBer had an incident with a mountain lion yesterday evening. The mountain lion took a swipe at the rider but missed.

http://www.knbc.com/news/17325427/detail.html

[Mudman]

How about one of these on the back of your helmet? I'm sure anything behind you would think twice before attacting.

[Abui]

Shop here.

http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/P...p-1-c-249.html

[Stray_Bullit]

Originally Posted by jeffj

It was on NBC news this morning that a MTBer had an incident with a mountain lion yesterday evening. The mountain lion took a swipe at the rider but missed.

To be serious, the cat must not have been too hungry! I mean "a swipe?" C'mon! If I was hungry and I could only muster up "a swipe" I must be not that hungry! Or blind.

[Pain Freak]

I'm still gonna ride it this weekend.

[mtbridr]

Originally Posted by jeffj

It was on NBC news this morning that a MTBer had an incident with a mountain lion yesterday evening. The mountain lion took a swipe at the rider but missed.

http://www.knbc.com/news/17325427/detail.html

Here's an ABC7 news video report on the incidence. The mountain lion chased the cyclist for a bit.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/media?id=6355678

[silkworm]

i usually carry a light letherman with a four inch flip out knife secured to my right camelbak strap on my chest. its pretty much a last line of defense...

that said, chances of getting attacked are pretty slim, i'm pretty sure you are at much greater risk of killing youself on your bike than you are by mountain lion haha! so pay less attention to the cat's and more attention to the trail in front of you!

[KBL]

If you have to use it, you'll want that large-sized pepper spray canister!

That said, I have one of those, but I haven't found an easy way to carry it on my Camelbak or on the bike. I do carry a knife, though.

Really, the best way to avoid getting attacked is to not go out alone. If you do some research about mountain lion attacks, you'll quickly notice a common denominator: most attack victims were alone.

[BRpunkRock]

Why not just give yourself claws to fight back with?

Oh and if you decide to carry pepper spray, you should in the safety of your own back yard have your buddy give you a shot of it in the face so you know what to expect when you screw up and accidentally spray yourself and the cougar at the same time.

[jasonmason]

my bad, i saw the title and thought this was about jesse vs.some woman a couple weeks ago....guess i read it wrong...time just flies...

p.s.-who did pay his bail? just curious...

[SKINNY]

I'll second the knife recommendation. can be mounted on your pack and easily accessible when you are face down while there is a cat on yer back.. besides.. you never know when you'll get a stubborn powerbar or gu package that you need help opening..

check out my website for more custom knife pics

[v10isez]

ya i just have a beefy spyderco pocket knife the back of my pants that i can open with either hand easily. if he hops on me the full face and pads should help and then i will take him home for a rug. http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/closeup.php?product=211
my knife

[Pain Freak]

I just throw a little catnip in Steppie's Camelback (wingnut) and I'm good to go.

[JoeTruth]

Cats from the 909 are a different breed. In this case, very lazy and unmotivated. A real cat would've done that dude in and left him in pretty bad shape. I'm sure the heat and smog is not helping the lethargic behavior of said cat.

Originally Posted by Stray_Bullit

To be serious, the cat must not have been too hungry! I mean "a swipe?" C'mon! If I was hungry and I could only muster up "a swipe" I must be not that hungry! Or blind.

[Mudman]

haha if people are going to carry a knife to fight a big cat, a tiny spyderco/pocket knife will not do. what you need is a machete. If a cat is on your back probably biting at the back of your head or neck- poking at it with a paper clip might have the same affect. Might as well learn Judo to throw the cat- once thrown, get the longest stick in reach and start fighting. My first instinct when being attack by anything is to scream like a girl and probably wet myself before any real action would be taken.