[pct-l] mountain lions

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

I'm not sure where you're looking on that site, as I refer to it as well.  Under the "Statistics" heading from the home page, it lists 73 attacks and 10 deaths between 1991 and 2003 in the U.S. and Canada alone.  

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

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: christin pruett <christinpruett at hotmail.com>
>Sent: Jan 29, 2007 2:00 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] mountain lions
>
>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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