Episode 4: What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

[@ryanr6656]

I had a close encounter last week on Basalt Mtn. Just after dark I met one on the trail at about 50 yards when my headlamp lit his eyes up. Not yet knowing what it was that I was seeing, I continued walking towards the eyes. It wasn't until about 30 yards away that I could clearly see it was a mountain lion and was not going to run away as I approached. I stopped and calmly took a few steps back while I grabbed my bear spray. I made loud noises but he didn't run away. Instead he charged at me, stopping at about 15 yards while I stood my ground. I was ready to use my bear spray but waiting until he came within the effective range (35 Feet). re retreated to his original position. I spoke loudly and firmly, telling him to leave. He charged again and stopped short of bear spray range yet again. We both stood there for a few moments. He was waiting for me to run. I stood firm. He eventually moved to the side 20 yards. I proceeded down the trail, never turning my back on him until I lost sight of his eyes. I still had another mile to the car from that point. I would spin around every few steps the entire remaining mile to the car. I luckily watched a few videos on the subject ahead of my trip.

[@JosephRussellStapleton]

Wow. Did you run after you no longer could see it, or did you continue at a slow pace?

[@OacarBritz-lx1bp]

They look for aloof prey

[@greenshp]

I live in Colorado too. Your story is a great illustration of the stories wildlife authorities never count! You did all the right things, and you are so wise to take bear spray or a gun with you. I always kind of wince when these guys say it's "'rare"" to see one. It isn't rare at all. They based their numbers on cases that are reported, and/or in which a person is seriously wounded or killed. But there are many encounters that are never reported to wildlife authorities. My gosh, when I was a child my grandmother's front yard birch trees had them climbing all the time (she would go out and shoot a gun in the air to chase them off because their claws tore the trees up and killed them). That was in Alma, btw. I really wish the ranger here would have said that jogging and running alone in areas where mountain lions are known to be, is something that can attract an attack: you are running prey and their brains are wired to chase.

[@Dennycrane757]

As an NZ citizen who just happens to find these magnificent creatures just awe-inspiring, I’m so happy to hear that you chose a non-lethal option to sort out the confrontation. Well done mate! ❤

[@AuspexAO]

@@greenshp Yeah, they're in no way rare. I've never had eyes on one, but I hear them all the time on the trails, seen scat, etc. They freak me out. Sure, I could plug one in the face with a gun, but 9/10 times they're just going to pounce you from behind and you're not going to be able to pull a gun while you're protecting your neck and face.

[@nazdahabi6163]

Can’t emphasize the spray enough..it possibly saved my life yesterday.

[@psauerfish]

Keep these shows coming, Excellent....

[@hera7884]

I was hiking somewhere near Boulder when I came across a mountain Lion den. I knew it was a mountain Lion den because it was a small hole beneath a huge rock (Boulder hehe) and there were numerous bones all around the opening of this den. They were all different kinds of sizes, from squirrel fur to deer antlers

[@rn2787]

Excellent series! Please make more like this on all of the amazing wildlife in Colorado.

[@areafifty]

I spend my days crawling through the mountains as a prospector. My favorite encounter with wildlife happened on a late summer night high in the Manti-Lasal mountains in Utah. A mother cougar meandered across the road with her kittens directly in front of my truck. Nature is beautiful!

[@lwspilates]

Excellent series! I learned a couple new things about mountain lions. I think it's great you made these videos to educate the public and folks like myself who enjoy hiking and biking outdoors in Colorado.

[@abbeyawesome1012]

Mountion lions are very dangerous anmails I was on the other side of my prosrty one night flipping laundry in my shop area and luckily I had bear spray I bear sprayed mountion lion and had to call in the next day because I bear sprayed mySelf

[@Terramorfios]

Да, не забывайте иметь за поясом 9мм пистолет, воздушный сигнал, спрей с оттенком перца чили..либо, заведите себе пару кавказских волкодавов.

[@brncllhn]

As a child back in 1967, I had many favorable encounters with one certain mountain lion. My parents moved us from Central Phoenix, Arizona, to the outskirts of town at that time; into a brand new development of homes. Every day after school I would come home and after a few minutes; look out the kitchen window, to see a “kitty” lounging on top of my mother’s sports-car. Mom was at work and Dad drove her back and forth each day. Well OF COURSE I had to go outside and talk to Kitty every day. Looked like an XXL version of our Siamese cat, Cleo. Had pretty blue eyes just like hers too. Weeks went by and I told my Mom about Kitty, but I don’t think she believed me. Mom stayed home one week day when school was out, and guess who showed up outside the kitchen window. Yup, it was Kitty. I yelled excitedly that Kitty had come to visit and my Mom was absolutely STUNNED when she looked out that window for herself. Never saw Kitty again after that.

[@bennetttyler6019]

Please tell me your not a grown ass man calling a big ass cat "kitty" smh

[@tominmo8865]

This sounds like a BS feel-good story. But in any case, if true, you were very lucky and very foolish. Granted you were a kid and probably didn't know any better.

[@coloradodayhiker]

I go hiking at Golden Gate Canyon State Park often all year long and have encountered mountain lions there, all though I think they may have been the same two, a male and a female. Fortunately, they have never bothered me, not saying they wouldn't if they wanted too. My suggestion is not to be there hiking early in the morning (before 9:00 am) or late in the evening (after 6:00 pm), as this seems to be when they are more active. I have also seen Lynx and Bobcats there as well, but they run off really fast as soon as they spot me.

[@karendegeyter2937]

Thank you for the information

[@pattyrhodes2555]

This was an excellent series, and I learned a lot of new things - and learned that some of the things I thought I knew weren’t quite right (I didn’t know they would prey on large dogs; I’ve always heard that you should be careful of not leaving small dogs unattended). The balance of in the wild and “uncommon dwelling situations” was just right; and the takeaway I got from the “uncommon dwelling situations” is that they’re really not uncommon. They happen often and we’re only just learning more about that because of cameras in use. Thank you!

[@twostop6895]

mountain lions have been documented to kill 150 pound wolves that were alone, a big dog is an easy kill for a mountain lion

[@5Lion5ofGod7]

@@twostop6895 Damn...

[@lula1908]

The music is perfect 🙌🏾 and thank you for the tips

[@dannyroberts5056]

Here in my home state of Missouri a male mt lion was hit and killed be a car. It had a radio collar on it. They discovered it had been collard in Montana . They said it had more than likely followed the Missouri River.

[@jmadden7270]

We live in Kansas. One of our friends was told a couple years ago that a radio tracked mountain lion was on his orchard property and not to be there at night, with kids, etc. And not to trap it because it was part of a study. He told them he carried a gun out there and if he saw it he was shooting it. He was told the lion was so fast he wouldn't draw the gun fast enough.

[@johnfosholt8689]

I've read and heard dozens of experts advising people to make themselves look big when confronted by a mountain lion, but it didn't work for some folks attacked in recent years. I've never seen empirical evidence of the strategy's success. I think it dates back to a Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom show in 1966, when zoologist Marlin Perkins told his sidekick Jim Fowler to look big if he met a cougar. Jim was 6-feet-5-inches and about 250 pounds, so it worked for him.

[@hisservants8003]

Loved that show!! lol

[@greenshp]

I agree. That works well for a bear, but I doubt a mountain lion would be impressed. Their brains work very differently.

[@5Lion5ofGod7]

I think the tactics were make yourself look big or bigger, and also, yell/shout/hollar or make loud, frightening, primal noises and also stomp with your feet on the ground and make yourself seem aggressive to the mountain lion, to people you would ridiculous or rather crazy but at least in the lion's eyes, you look aggressive and dangerous. Not a prey or easy prey and most predatory animals do not want to risk injuries taking on any potential prey or threat that may harm it. Even if they manage to take it down, the chances of them sustaining injuries can be high and a wounded or injured predator or animal is a dead one. Therefore if they feel like you are dangerous and not worth the risk, it will back away and you escape unscathed. So the least you can do is stand your ground and make yourself come across as aggressive and dangerous to it and not an easy prey. Like you do with black bears too. Definitely don't want to go overboard and make yourself look like a threat too in case it now feels threatened and will want to fight for its life because it very well will. In the event the mountain lion is that bold or brazen or its ravenous and it decides to attack after all still, go on the offensive yourself to the mountain lion. Believe me, whether you think you can or not, you are gonna want to do it anyway if you want to live. Its survival. You never know. You might just fight the mountain lion off and make it out of that one safe and sound. Might also sustain some injuries but so would it. At least you live and go get yourself clear and help while it will also retreat and chances are you won't see it again. I am 6 ft 1 inches lol and about 172 lbs so i get what you are saying. I can make myself look bigger, while i am big i am not all that big. But i will fight and or do whatever to win and survive. God bless ~

[@rylandavis2976]

​@@greenshp of course of works Well for mountain lions. Mountain lions are absolutely terrified of humans. Imagine you have never seen a bipedal creature in your entire life and how shocking it would be to stumble up one randomly on a trail. A average human stands just as tall or taller than a bull elk. And they look incredibly strange. There have been many studies on how scared mountain lions are of humans, even just the off and on presence of human voices will almost always cause them to immediately run and they alter their behaviors in an extremely way in order to avoid humans if they know they are present.

[@greenshp]

@@rylandavis2976 Where I live, mountain lions have no fear. They will enter anyone's yard, and even stalk people. Nearly yearly a jogger is attacked by one. In this video they keep saying attacks are rare, but I think that is a lot about politics, because it just isn't the truth.

[@ChronicalsofAl]

Can't emphasize the 10mm,... Possibly saved my life yesterday

[@joryherod8413]

I’ve never seen one but I’ve known one was close by because of the smell. The person I was with when we were rafting knew one was close by because she had a lot of experience with animals since she did trail riding a lot with horses. So she knew the smell of mountain lions

[@MayBeMe...]

My friend came face to face with a full grown Mtn Lion in his backyard about 10pm recently in Hayward CA, not 30 feet from his house. At first they just stared at each other, then the puma was distracted by a sound behind him causing him to snarl and slowly walk away. Very disarming!

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Excellent series 👍🏻

[@sttvoyager1727]

Fantastic work!

[@_J4CK4L_]

Really nice video thanks

[@jonvia]

Its no mistake that the mountain lion is a symbol of the wild west and of the state of Colorado. Just like the state, mountain lions are beautiful, yet very dangerous if not experienced in how to handle life threatening outdoor situations.

[@victor-th4qs]

I had an encounter with a Mountain Lion. I was do a timber stand exàm. Central Oregon. I walked past a down log. The cat jumped 10 feet straight up. Then walked right at me. I yelled, Go Away. It didn't go away. I backed up about a quarter mile. The cat 25 feet behind me. Got to the rig. The cat sat on the road cut, watching me. I threw rocks at it. The bad part. I had to go back to this place, the next day. I did see it again. It pee d on a tree. Walked away.

[@JimL2883]

Being raised by mountain lions, I learned early how to stealthily navigate through the woods without detection. That skill has come in handy many times.

[@Rockstar97321]

Last year in Central Oregon... I didn't know that the big cat was attacking me until it was about ten feet away. My dog saved my life.

[@psychedguitar2716]

I go car camping a lot In Colorado mountains and the mountain lions don't even know I am inside the car watching them. If I need to I can drive off and the horn alone will scare them off and if all else fails I have a protection. I see running right by my car not even paying any attention to me. They can move very fast without making any sound when they stand still and duck their head they become almost invisible, especially at night in the snow.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Thanks for the info.

[@intheshell35ify]

Pants, this is poop. Poop, this is my pants. Feel free to mingle.

[@markoaleric3702]

I love hearing the voice of the interviewer

[@paulwelch7558]

They are top of the food chain and very stealthy. Have smelled their litter boxes in the wild places of the mountains. We have found a couple of kills but were lucky not to run into the lion.

[@johnkelly5227]

Wasp spray works also

[@tominmo8865]

Use bear spray. Wasp spray is a neurotoxin. Bear spray is essentially harmless, long-term, but effective.

[@picachugirl2036]

Theres one in the neighborhood and its screams at night are soook scary to me 😭 I hate them theyre so scary

[@partylee007]

If you’re out and about in the woods or out in nature, you better be packing a side arm just in case!

[@MMASulu]

Mountain Lions are amazing killers. They are very efficient in what they do. It would not be smart to try and fight one. You will quickly learn your place in nature.

[@greenshp]

Statistically, you are much more likely to survive a mountain lion if you fight - it's been studied quite a bit. Just fact. In fact, if one has physical contact with you and you are without a knife, gun, or bear spray, then fighting is pretty much your only chance of survival.

[@goodday126]

Two young men near me were killed recently out looking for deer antlers. I agree that people should carry spray for cats and bears, but not having a firearm is absolute insanity.

[@dante0817]

@@greenshp Are you serious about statistics? How many are your data to base that? LOL

[@tominmo8865]

A housecat can tear you up! So imagine what something ten times larger will do to you. Bear spray is very effective and also humane. But as a backup, anyone in wild country should also have a gun of some sort. I'm not putting my fists up against its teeth and claws. And a knife is less sure and quick than a gun.

[@rylandavis2976]

You do not understand the mindset of a wild predator. They are incredibly risk averse animals, this is why you almost never see them and when you do see them they almost always run away. For a wild animal getting even mildly injured can easily result in death in the long term. Predators are very aware of this by instinct. Your fingers are basically the perfect natural instrument to poke eyes for example. If you can get a solid poke in it's eyes it's going to hurt really bad and it is very possible that this cat could decide hey if I keep going at this I could be down and eye and that would be a disaster for me. Many many many people have scared off mountain lions behaving aggressively just by throwing a rock in its general direction.

[@BlaqueRainbow]

Mark Johnson sounds a lot like Cave Johnson from Portal.

[@dankbuster2181]

The geese photo bombing this video

[@rowdyhoundsman]

Attacks may be extremely rare, but there has been more in the last 30 years than there has been recorded in the hundred years before that. I like how people try to negate attacks by saying only the young, sick or old lions attack people. Because that somehow makes them less dangerous. Or maybe we just shouldn’t go into the forests and stay in our homes like some people claim… Fantastic job on the video, you guys are awesome!

[@132allie]

There a lot of more people moving and hiking in their habitat, so there would be more reports.

[@greenshp]

I could not agree with you more!! And you are correct in your facts. My gosh, the most recent attacks did not involve sick or old animals. They were attacks on runners/joggers who made themselves running prey. Downplaying the danger does not help people to know how to stay safe when enjoying wilderness areas.

[@jessicadorion8507]

Gorgeous beasts

[@abbeyawesome1012]

Mountion lions are very dangerous I went to my shop one nigh and Luckily I had bear spray because I made as much noise as possible the mountion lion wouldent move so I had to bear spray myself in the Process

[@danielkeirsteadsr6939]

Toss him a few flash bangs. Never pick a hunting partner that can out run you.

[@vettevegas]

Your lucky to ever see these total Ninjas! They like to attack from ambush, better if you are sleeping. 😮

[@FlorenceLunsford-sk2nj]

They are beautiful admire them from a far

[@jesus-ok1hd]

Are mountain lions common in north Texas ?

[@tumblewheed5994]

Bears are known to "bluff" charge. Cats are known to be "curious." Are there any signs to look for that would indicate the cat is just curious?

[@JuliaCrowe2]

Whst about playing music on a side speaker ? Won't thst let them know you are in the area ?

[@grizzlycmmg9578]

Oh Colorado. "Bear Spray and an Airhorn" how about a Holster and some .45? No way you'd ever convince me to go in Bear Country or Mountain Lion Country without a Firearm, hell, I live in Florida, which doesn't have very many dangerous Wildlife on Land, outside of Wild Hogs, Black Bear, Coyotes, and Bobcats, all of which are very very rarely a threat. That being said, couple of years ago I was out in Nature completely alone, and I had a very close encounter with a Bobcat, couldn't carry a Firearm at the time, but now I don't go into the Woods without it. Before the ignorant ones comment, yes, Wild Hogs can be considerably dangerous, especially when reaching sizes over 250-300+ Pounds. I know CO allows people to carry in Parks, but from what I have heard, getting your CCW out there can be a long process, which is ridiculous. Sidenote, I do agree that the information provided in this Video is good, and you should carry Bear Spray if you live in an area where it is applicable, regardless, a Firearm is always a good tool to have in the Woods or any Back country for that matter.

[@jyc313]

The large majority of those that go out into the woods here in the lower 48 do so without a firearm. Nothing wrong with that, and most of the times a spray or horn (Or equivalent) are sufficient. If a gun works for you, great. You’re skirting around the topic of gun rights which is not entirely relevant to this specific video. I carry, but I’d rather not carry the extra weight when out backpacking. Been goin for year frame have seen a cougar once my entire life and black bears a few times. Never a problem, usually from a distance. And yes, agreed hogs are dangerous. Have plenty here in Texas.

[@moctezuma112]

-Colorado Parks and Wildlife: “bear spray is good…. You need to be aware of the wind direction.” 🤣🤣🤣 so if the wind is blowing in your face and a mountain lion is right of you about to pounce, simply and politely ask the mountain lion to wait and then walk around him so the wind is blowing in your favor to spray 🤣🤣🤣

[@williamkenney339]

Does bear spray work on mountain lions?

[@ColoradoParksandWildlife]

Yes. Bear spray is a good tool to keep on you and works on all sorts of animals. You do need to be aware of the wind direction before you spray it.

[@hisservants8003]

If I lived in Mtn lion country I would build some kind of run for the dogs to go out to the bathroom at night and alone, that Mtn lions couldn't easily break through. Honestly, mtn lons freak me out. I do not even like house cats. lol Bears I could live with, maybe. Not lions!

[@kylecouch7792]

Why the hell is no one from CPW standing up to prop 127??

[@michelecox5241]

Oh, kitty, kitty 😺 😍

[@Richard-tq7gj]

Keep a Irish Wolfhound with you!

[@rundogrun297]

No dog that has a chance? Look for video of three chuachahas (sp) facing down a mountain lion in their garage! Was not worth it for the lion. I had a mountain lion watching me come out of my trailer, When I took my flashlight to search for critters in my yard before my dogs were let out. I saw a mountain lion intensely watching my every move. I did not recognize it at first but luckily I was a about foot above it on my deck and he decided I was not worth it! I had security lights installed the next week to improve my chances for spotting one before I became it's prey.

[@Josh-cw8by]

Who wouldn't be afraid of three little yappy annoying chihuahuas. I'd run too.

[@josephdelp87]

They are just big kitties that want you to pet them. Go for it. They really like their bellies rubbed.

[@bustabass9025]

He never mentioned my Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag as a possible deterent. It's cheaper than bear spray.😕

[@AscentofTrollbane]

That's because only paranoid cowards hike with guns :)

[@Alice-Not-In-Chains]

Does bear 🐻 or pepper 🌶️ spray work!?

[@Brad-ic4bp]

Not if it likes spicy foods…

[@132allie]

I would never report an animal. It will end up dead.

[@_clorp]

That dude looks like Dan Campbell

[@juanpatterson5690]

what about carrying a gun, or a knife or bear spray? this people what us to get eaten...

[@rudem.2973]

I love all these tips. However for extra protection , wear a helmet with some kind of strong cloth to protect the back of your neck an chest. Maybe some day ( DARPA ) and ( M.I.T.) will invent something. Plus carrying two powerful hand guns. A Glock 45 on your right hip. In a holster. Plus another loaded gun with a leg strapped holster. Practice taking the gun out fast. Practice shooting small targets the size as the same size of the forehead of a mountain lion. Plus consider raising and training a ( KANGAL ATTACK DOG ). plus ( RAISE A WELL TRAINED RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK OR AFRICAN LION HOUND ). With these dogs on your side. They can smell and see what you can not see and smell. Plus they also can hear what you can not. This way you are startled and taken by surprise at any time. The beige color of the Mountain Lion helps these man eating predators blend in with the local terrain .

[@greenshp]

I really love your comments. I don't know about the helmet thing (you ever been hiking on a hot afternoon? LOL) but I could not agree more about carrying a pistol, knife or bear spray. Also, I have done a lot of back country (REALLY back country) camping in Colorado, and always take a dog with me. Even the presence of a large dog will deter a bear or mountain lion from bothering your camp.

[@Josh-cw8by]

@@greenshp No it won't. A dog is a light snack for a cougar or brown bear. Bringing a dog with you increases the chance of being attacked. The animal will attack your dog, you will try to defend the dog, and you'll both end up dead. It just happened last month in Canada. The Grizzly bear attacked the dog, both humans died.

[@joshfox2941]

Dude you are so much more likely to be killed by your dogs

[@bam2922]

I feel like the bigger look approach is kinda bs when this cat will try and take down a 900 pound elk.

[@kaibalfour2318]

Bring Seabear repellent

[@8000RPM.]

I think mountain lions are beautiful, however there are times when a 12 gauge, 3" magnum, 00buck (with a Taurus judge as a back up) are necessary,...

[@amaldpdamald8874]

What’s with the scary music?

[@jamesabreu613]

I don't go into the forest without NY 40 sw

[@westyinzer4607]

Fix bayonets

[@TeresaB-e5p]

Did they kill euthanize that young looking mountain lion that was in the motel or hotel? It did not look like it was a threat to seem like it was just cold. Would you please give me that information that would be nice because that is really wrong OK

[@USMC6976]

First, stay inside. Don't go out to greet it.

[@lukepedersen9681]

How’s the dude w the mic gonna get that ring off

[@Josh-cw8by]

Soap and fishing line.

[@AlecBerg]

What about a knife or gun

[@TargttdGma]

Thanks!! Short, concise responses/tips would be helpful. Get BIG, WIDE, MOTION No CROUCH, RUN, WHISPER.. etc.

[@JB-rt4mx]

Rub it's Belly and Talk Softly..🐱🤓

[@SylvainSybaris]

Before I even consider helping anyone in any emergency situation, they need to tell me what political side they support... If they give the wrong answer, I simply ignore them and walk away.

[@vettevegas]

Exactly. Darwin award.

[@SylvainSybaris]

@@vettevegas ... I do not entertain the Life & Times of Darwin's story books, so you should read them, and I will do my part to enable "the lesser of them" for a better earth.

[@robertfrye3301]

Also, What to do if you encounter a Sasquatch in the Colorado Rocky Mountains ? Do not build homes in Mountain Lion habitat; they need a place to live too, and be a wild lion.

[@OacarBritz-lx1bp]

Stand ground scream and throw rocks

[@Brad-ic4bp]

🙄 Yeah, you do that.

[@paulatreat2496]

Not a scream. A high pitched noise will trigger it to attack. Lower your voice as low as it can go loudly. Like the scariest scolding you can imagine. Stand your ground. Make sure the cat is not cornered and has a very clear way to run out of there.

[@daveruaneCO]

You should consider less vilifying music at the intro and more natural clips of Mountain Lions than all these uncommon dwelling situations. This comment about a lion waiting for the dog to be let out and jumping off the roof to attack it?? C'mon... If your attempt is to fear monger about lions - job well done...

[@ColoradoParksandWildlife]

Thank you for your feedback. In reference to your comment about dogs, it has happened that way and dogs are depredated upon every so often. We want people to know so they can protect their pets.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

They kill a lot of domestic pets my friends in Idaho had their German Shepard killed in seconds after letting him out to go do his business at night . In his yard

[@hisservants8003]

That is a food source for cats! How is that fear mongering to warn people?

[@RoderickEmanuel-m7d]

Oh aah is mounting the lions. Lyans they were scary. Look dude," Growl I would say Growler. Tupi tupi too. Oxes can show their fear. Some oxes run fast away when nluons can close by approach Oxes kick up the dust in the prairie regions if seeing lions the people and the oxes.

[@philipkrolikowski4248]

its my word against the cat..... no second chance, 1 warning and then bang !!!

[@Brad-ic4bp]

Make sure to put a knife near the cat’s paw afterward, to prove it was self-defense.