[pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

There's a great deal of dimension to the book that the blurb doesn't cover, and the explosion of wildlife due to game management policies is a huge topic within it's covers.   It's a Krakauer-like analysis of the death of a high school student in Boulder, CO, killed and eaten by a mountain lion, and all of the factors leading up to his death and subsequent mountain lion attacks (still ongoing in Boulder and surrounds).  The book is considered definitive, and you'll often see David Barron quoted and interviewed when mountain lions attack humans anywhere.

In Boulder, the mountain lion population increased in the urban areas because the Boulderites would not allow the deer to be hunted, and the deer population within the "city" (hard to call Boulder a city) increased.  Seems the folks in Boulder loved the deer and hunting was banned.  The lions came in after the deer, but found easier pickins' with domesticated pets, and ultimately people.  Sounds like a similar situation with the elk, although not in an urban setting. 

This is a topic I find fascinating, and one where I sometimes find myself cheering for the predators.   Check out this site showing a listing of documented mountain lion attacks in the US since the 1800s.  To Jeff's point, the attacks begin to increase dramatically when we stopped hunting the mountain lions.  

www.users.frii.com/mytymyk/lions/attacks.htm

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
>From: stillroaming <pct at delnorteresort.com>
>Sent: Jan 26, 2007 10:29 AM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Cc: dsaufley at sprynet.com
>Subject: [pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack
>
>Reading the blurb for the book, it addresses the impact of urban sprawl 
>encroaching on wildlife habitat and the 'fern feeler' attitude which is a 
>major problem everywhere due the explosion of our own species.
>
>In this case, urban encroachment isn't an issue. The small wayside of Orick 
>is anything but growing. In my opinion, this situation has developed due to 
>the following: Elk = Tourists = Increased Funding = Mismanagement. The elk 
>viewing areas are wildly popular with the tourists (justifiably so!), so the 
>herd goes unchecked.
>
>This reeks of the "Put out every fire policy". In the long run, those 
>charged with protecting our resources contribute to it's decline.
>
>To those effecting our resources, be it the USFS, Sierra Club, et al, I 
>quote those immortal words of Glen Close in "The World According to Garp" - 
>"Quit playing with it."
>
>Preserve the natural state and protect it, that's your purpose.
>
>Scott
>
>>>>>
>There is undoubtedly a direct correlation between the growing elk herd and 
>the expansion of the mountain lion population resulting increased attacks on 
>domestic animals and people.
>
>For a great (though disturbing) story and insights to mountain lion 
>behavior, the history of humans and mountain lions, and the impact of modern 
>policies and laws, read "A Beast in the Garden; The True Story of a 
>Predator's Deadly Return to Suburban America" by David Barron.
>
>www.amazon.com/Beast-Garden-Predators-Suburban-America/dp/0393326349/sr=8-1/qid=1169833781/ref=sr_1_1/102-7112815-1150557?ie=UTF8&s=books
>
>L-Rod
><<<<
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