Mountain Lions: What you should and shouldn't do.(merged)

I've heard differing opinions on this, but go with dogs or no dogs?

 

I'm guessing it would depend on the size/type of the dog you had in mind...

 

I have two. One is a 90 lb German Shepherd and a 85 lb puppy Belgian Malinois. Both have incredible prey drives and would smell the cat nearby and go nuts. Would that scare the mountain lion or piss it off?

 

a big cat is far less likely to stalk multiple prey ... they are oppertunistic hunters, for the most part... me verses kitty= kitty wins... but me plus dog verses kitty= fighting chance

 

This is great info,thanks for posting. Odd thing is that I have seen them before but none of this comes to mind except "don't run,you'll lose"

 

Oh, and never ever buy anything off a mountain lion. It's most likely stolen and they can smell you coming a mile away.

 

"Be sure to always make contact with the lion"

Mxvet, I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be "make EYE contact". (We regret any inconvenience this wording may have caused.)

 

Mountain lions don't like dogs, especially ones that have no fear. The problem with some dogs is they see a cat and they chase it without knowing what the consequences will be, most of the time the cat will run but if cornered your dog will not survive.

I'm curious about bear bells, I know they scare bears but would they attract or scare cats?

 

Hmmmm... that eliminates soo many of the outdoor activities that I enjoy

 

As much as I love the idea of packing heat on epic rides, unless you have a CCW Permit, it can be a felony- especially in State/National Parks. Bear Guard is pepper spray in a big canister that shoot up to 20 feet. Not sure if it would work on a mountain lion- plus you can guarantee some collateral damage. I have yet to see a mountain lion - but on the easy trails, there are cougars everywhere. They wear too much perfume and ride crappy bikes.

 

Also grasshoppers, I've found....

Another way of keeping a mountain lion at bay is do not under any circumstances wash or take a shower while you are in the woods. The smell alone will drive away any approaching mountain lion. Of course your trail mates may not appreciate this... but what the heck, it's mountain lions you're worried about

 

What are you basing that on? I have never heard that before, but would be very interesting if it's true. Is this from "your own experience" or do you have a source you can cite? :wave:

 

Whenever I hike alone or with others I always bring my knife. It's useful in too many situations.

 

Good idea, besides there could be drop bears up there to.
:steppie:

 

Yeah I keep taking parts off of my 9 trying to get it down under 100 grams so I can be strapped AND fast, but at that point I think I'd be left with just the plastic magazine...

 

maybe we could sticky this so it doesn't get rehashed every other month? an actual attack is so unlikely, these posts probably only serve to make people unnecessarily scared.

and, evidently, your time would be better served choosing appropriate nightwear--or (at least in my case) planning for your sainthood. :lol:

32,000,000 to 1: Chance of dying from a mountain lion attack in CA
30,589,556 to 1: Chance of dying from ignition or melting of nightwear
20,000,000 to 1: Odds of becoming a saint

 

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: --Thanks Doug.

 

I wear a dog mask when I ride...it has been scientifically proven that cats fear dogs...they fear dogs that ride mountain bikes the most...

 

Well... at 280 and HABing, bent over, sweating, huffing, looking like the darted water buffalo I am, I don't think anyone near me has to worry..

I do, at times, get weirded out on the trail. Especially going up Mustard..

Now I know why I get invited along... Bait.. be it sacrificial.

 

I don't shower while in the woods. It gets the trail muddy.