Stalking cougar

[drndr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agAiSgdNBEI

Nice hiking video for those that haven't seen it yet. A little long

[Ed]

I would have been terrified. I might have fallen over backwards and been in deep trouble. Still, I don't like it being described as an 'attack', as it has been by the media. Mama was employing scare tactics to keep a suspicious animal away from her kitties, not stalking prey, and retreated when a rock was thrown at her. I also noted how thin she was. There was a coyote in our back yard a few days ago, and while it seemed happy enough, it was extremely thin. Life is tough for predators, they have to kill to eat.

[drndr]

I hope I would have been brave enough to tape but I doubt it.

I've always thought of an encounter like that to pick up a rock and throw it but the experts say "stay big, don't crouch". I'd probably grab a rock and and get pounced on from behind by its mate.

D

[RichardK]

When we are hiking in cat country, we stick a few rocks in our pockets. That way, we don't have to bend over to get one.

[SoCalJim]

I'm pretty sure I'd want a bigger rock than would fit into my pocket...

[Sose]

I agree Ed. As a member of the Mountain Lion federation and from my experience with them, the butt scooting posture and exposed claws in the video were clearly a warning meant to drive the hiker away from either cubs or a hidden kill. If a Puma is stalking you, you will very rarely see it.