Comments on: Safety in Cougar Country

By: Pat Bumstead

Pat Bumstead — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:13:22 +0000

In reply to Jill. See our Safety in Cougar Country for details on living with cougars.

By: Pat Bumstead

Pat Bumstead — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:10:07 +0000

In reply to Jill. See our Safety in Cougar Country page on our website. There are thousands of cougar in North America, and you may hear of one or two attacks per year for the whole continent. Not a concern at all if people know what they're doing before they o into cougar country!

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 21:39:22 +0000

Since seeing a sign about a cougar siting, I reluctantly gave up the trail for a road nearby–safer for someone running/biking by themselves (at least I read the odds a cougar will go on a road with activity are low). As to defense, I’ve read conflicting advice. Most articles say to look a cougar in the eye. But others say that reads as too aggressive and recommend staring at their feet. Lastly, the majority of articles suggest attacks on humans is rare.. how elusive cougars are.. afraid of humans, etc. and yet, every year or so, you hear of attacks.

By: Pat Bumstead

Pat Bumstead — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 19:57:48 +0000

In reply to Carmen Badgley.

You have exactly the correct attitude to live in cougar country, and I wish more people were like you! Being cautious at night is totally correct. Try and make noise while you’re walking or hiking – just enough to let the sharp-eared cat know there is a human there. Cougar do not want to run into humans either, so let them know you’re on the trail and they’ll disappear into the bush away from your presence. They sleep during the day in trees, in rock piles or wherever they can be comfortable and are are still able to make a quick getaway if needed.

Chance meetings with cougars are extremely rare. The cat can hear you LONG before you can see him. Just make noise so he knows you’re there, and he will change his course to avoid you.

By: Carmen Badgley

Carmen Badgley — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 06:29:20 +0000

I am concerned, recent cougar sightings in summit washington a suburb of Tacoma yet still rural area, have lead me to be a bit more cautious than usual during night time especially.
I was wondering where do cougars sleep during the day? Do they normally nap in trees or long grass ? And what can. I do to detour a chance meeting with one?

By: Pat Bumstead

Pat Bumstead — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 19:03:19 +0000

In reply to fred johnson. Excellent story. Made the hair on my neck stand up from here.

By: fred johnson

fred johnson — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 14:54:09 +0000

Don I pan on Vancouver’s Island ,, one day a few years ago on a river my dog went to ground still as stone , then warning bells started going off in my brain , ifin you follow my meaning . I stood up , and slowly looked around as i turned my body . As i faced directly across the far bank , my eyes stopped and there was a mountain lion not 15 meters away . Just sitting there , studying me tip of the tail slightly twitching . I watched it as it watched me . Then i went back to panning . Never heard it come , never heard it go .

By: Pat Bumstead

Pat Bumstead — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 21:35:09 +0000

In reply to Bonnie M Dahl. No idea! You would have to contact a cougar biologist for answers on that one.

By: Bonnie M Dahl

Bonnie M Dahl — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 22:02:12 +0000

Does cougar urine smell like domestic cats urine?

By: Don Jamieson

Don Jamieson — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 02:18:29 +0000

Living on Vancouver Island, home of cougars and sasquatch, I am of large prey size at 120lbs, and am hopng that I get to see one of each, from a very safe distance.
While in my idling car, with the windows up.
The local government building has a stuffed cougar that out-weights me, out-runs me, out-scares me, out-lasts me, and it’s quite dead !
Not a big fan of cats, never really have been, their eyes are….shudder….