[pct-l] mountain lions

Mon Jan 29 16:00:27 CST 2007

I just looked up some stats on this and contrary to popular opinion mountain 
lions do not attack women or children preferentially... at least not based 
on the numbers. Of the 53 attacks that I found on the web in US and Canada 
(years 1890-2007), 32 were adults and 21 were children. Of adults 16 were 
men 16 women; children 14 boys and only 5 girls with 2 unided sexes. Of 
course these numbers could be biased if larger numbers of men than women are 
available for attack. However, it is interesting to note that many of these 
attacks occurred close to human habitations that are likely to be frequented 
by both sexes. Check out this website:

http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks.html

I guess the take home: only 53 attacks in over 100 years! The chances of 
being struck by lightning must be astronomically higher. Also there is no 
evidence that supports the idea that mountain lions are more likely to 
attack a woman who is menstruating. That is a myth.

As far as I know, no hiker on the pct has ever been attacked by a mountain 
lion.

I also found out that in Los Angeles alone 37 people were attacked by 
coyotes in a span of about 30 years. I wonder how many hikers have been 
attacked by domestic dogs.

I think I'd be more worried about being run over while crossing a road or 
being picked up by some psycho when hitchhiking than being attacked by a 
lion.

Christy

Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:12:00 -0800
From: "Slow Comfort" <slow.comfort at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] mountain lions
To: "Marion Davison" <mardav at charter.net>
Cc: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
	<63ae32100701281912r6f5a73etdfba88f07fc5137b at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

In my youth I hunted cats, chased them with dogs, have chanced
glimpsing them, heard them screaming at dusk and had them snoop around
camp at night.  Jeff, If you were camped as close as a mile to a den,
I doubt you were being stalked.  The night camp visit was probably a
territorial "cat drive-by."  As far as I know, cats only stalk to
kill.  A curious cat will mostly just snoop around quiet like,
specially when humans sleep or lay up and watch you in camp or as you
go by.  If they follow you, or hang around a couple of days, well,
that usually amounts to more than curiosity.  I know for a fact little
kids attract their attention, and that women alone are at greater risk
in cat country.  Women should be careful about certain odors during
certain periods of time.

Ants and creeping things very often sense imminent foul weather
conditions before outward signs are discernible to humans.  Predatory
animals sense weakness, timidity and lack of courage in the same way,
and dependent upon their mood (you'll have to ask the animal about
that) will take advantage.  I don't believe there is "absolute" advice
that will cover all situations for encounters with cats, same with
bears.  But, here's some about cats I have seen work more that once.

If you encounter a cat with an aggressive, domineering or unyielding
attitude, and if the situation is such that avoidance by retreat is
unlikely or seems potentially dangerous.  Displace your fear!  Stand
tall, wave your poles aggressively, growl, grimace, snarl, yell and
stamp your feet.  I am a total believer in carrying an ice axe and
good knife in the wild.  If you believe within yourself that you will
fight to kill an animal if he dares to attack you - it will sense it.
Predatory animals instinctively have a healthy respect for courage as
well as an equal disdain for  weakness, fear and cowardice, it's part
and parcel of their instinctive survival mode and their kill to eat
and/or territorial defense makeup.

There are no guarantees you won't get in a fight.  But with cats, if
one is really stalking you, and you're alone, it's doubtful you'll
hear it until it tries to kill you.  So, if you're overly concerned
about cats...I suggest avoiding cat country.  Otherwise, be respectful
about basic needs for survival, get tough mentally, physically and
display it in the confidence of your manner and wilderness presence.
The animals will sense it.  I reckon there are sensible, human
philosophical and cultural reasons why cat attacks have been on the
upswing.  I can't comment on that, and the cats won't either.

Hope I don't sound to all-knowing, I'm just telling what I do know
from experience, having spent many years where animals live, but where
most folks just pass through.  Nothing wrong with just passing through
as opposed to living there for a time.  But, a prolonged living
experience in the wilderness, provides a difference both of perception
and reality than can otherwise be had by only passing through.

Slow

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