What To Do If You See a Mountain Lion While Hiking
When you venture into the great outdoors, you are taking a trip into the homes of many different animals. Though many of these animals are harmless or afraid of humans, there are a few that could pose a serious threat if the encounter goes south. Mountain lions are one of them. Fortunately, if you know what to do if you see a mountain lion while hiking, the chances that you’ll have a bad encounter are slim.
In fact, in the last 100 years there have been a total of 125 attacks, 27 of which were fatal, in North America.1
However, you don’t need to be physically harmed by a cougar for an encounter to be negative. Surely you have seen the chilling 6+ minute video of a hiker in Utah being stalked by one. (if not watch it here). Though he got away without injury, the experience was certainly unpleasant.
Others have not been so lucky. In 2018 there was a case of two mountain bikers who were attacked by a cougar while riding through the trails.2 Though they hit the cougar with one of their bikes on the first encounter, the cat came back for more and ended up injuring one of them and killing the other.
Cougar attacks are incredibly rare, but possible. If you know what to do if you see a mountain lion while hiking, you’ll feel more confident and prepared if you cross paths with one.
What to Do If You See A Bear – Read Here
How to Avoid Mountain Lion Encounters
Of course, you won’t need to know what to do if you see a mountain lion while hiking if you do your best to avoid them. Though you have the possibility of seeing a cougar if you are exploring an area that they inhabit, there are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of you seeing one.
- Be Loud – Similar to bears, mountain lions don’t have much interest in being around humans. If you are loud on the trail by talking, singing, or playing music (at a respectful volume), the animal will hear you before you see them. They’ll likely leave the area or hide until you pass.
- Be Aware if Your Surroundings – It’s always a good idea to be observant when you hike. Not only will you see interesting things, but you’ll keep yourself safer by spotting potential dangers.
- Avoid Hiking at Dusk or Dawn – These twilight hours are times where animals like cougars are typically hunting. Make sure you plan your mileage so that you get to your site before sunset and wait until the sun rises before you set out the next morning.
- Avoid Hiking Alone – Being in a group makes you appear more intimidating to nearby animals. If you are hiking alone, you pose less of a threat.
What To Do If You See A Mountain Lion
If you still come face to face with a cougar despite your best efforts to avoid an encounter, you can keep yourself safe by doing the following.
- Stay Calm and Back Away – It’s natural to feel nervous or scared when you see a dangerous animal. However, it’s important to stay calm and confident. Make eye contact with the animal and back away slowly.
- Do Not Approach It – Be confident, but not aggressive. Approaching the animal can make it feel like it is threatened and needs to defend itself. You want to create more space between you and the mountain lion.
- Do Not Run – Running may cause the lion to instinctively chase you. If you want to get away from the cougar you should back away slowly. Be sure to never turn your back on it.
- Stand Tall – Mountain lions do not think of humans as prey – the best way you can let them know you are human is by standing upright and talking. If you crouch or sit, they may perceive you as a four-legged animal.
- Be Loud – Make loud noises or sing to confuse the mountain lion and discourage it’s hunting instincts. Don’t make any whimpering sounds that it would remind it of a defenseless or wounded animal.
What To Do If A Mountain Lion Acts Aggressive
As much as we try to understand animals, they are unpredictable. Most mountain lions will be deterred by the actions listed above, but that isn’t always the case. It’s important to know what to do if a cougar begins to act aggressive.
- Look Large – Mountain lions are big and strong animals, but humans are tall and fairly large as well. If you make yourself appear massive and intimidating you may discourage it from pursuing you.
- Throw Items – If possible, throw items toward the mountain lion – but not with the intent to hit it. You are just trying to spook the animal, not hurt it. Try to grab branches or stones without crouching to pick them up. If you have items in your backpack that you can throw like a water bottle or sleeping bag, throw those at it. If the mountain lion continues to approach, throw items with the intent to hit it. Be sure to keep a couple of handy objects like hiking poles on hand in case you need them as weapons.
- Use Bear Spray – Bear spray is an excellent deterrent for bears as well as for other animals. Spray a mist between you and the animal, creating a cloud that it would have to walk through to get to you. Read more about bear spray here.
What To Do In An Attack
Mountain lion attacks are incredibly rare, but they do happen. Its best to be prepared and know what to do if it happens. However, keep in mind that no amount of preparation will guarantee you’ll do the right thing when actually placed in the situation.
If a cougar begins to attack you or one of your hiking partners fight back. Do not leave anyone behind and use any nearby objects as weapons. Heavy objects like bear canisters, stoves, or large rocks are good tools for self defense. If you are getting attacked, do your best to remain standing and protect your head and neck as these are areas they try to bite.
If You Bring Your Dog Hiking
There are some important things to note if you explore the trails with your dog. For the safety of you and your pet, you need to know what to so if you see a mountain lion while hiking with your dog.
Keep your dog leashed. If you are hiking around mountain lion habitat, be sure to keep your dog on a leash. A dog can be perceived as prey by a cougar, you want to keep a close eye on your pets if you bring them in an area where these animals are present.
Hold on to your dog if you encounter a cougar. Pick your dog up if he/she is small enough for you to do so. If your dog is large, keep a tight grip on the leash or collar without crouching down. Try your best to keep your dog calm and don’t let him run or confront the cougar.
Conclusion
Though animal attacks are uncommon, it is important to be prepared for them if you spend a lot of time in the forest. Storing your food properly, traveling in a group, and being loud as you hike are a few ways to reduce your chances of having an encounter with a dangerous animal on the trail.
It is also helpful to know how to behave around specific large animals, like cougars. If you are aware of what to do when you see a mountain lion while hiking, you will feel more confident in yourself if the situation arises. Though each individual animal is different and unpredictable, following these tips will be your best bet at staying safe.
Cover photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
