Well that was terrifying

Shakou

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
790
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
So this is why I like going on hikes with Charlotte. Because unlike Ma'ii, she only acts up when something is seriously wrong. Some of you know from my picture threads that we've been boondocking way up in the national forest areas of AZ, near the grand canyon. We are way, way, way out there, and have been so for 3 weeks now. Only person we've seen this whole time was a forest ranger who was just passing through to make sure we were following fire code.

Anyways, last night, Charlotte and I took off for a walk around sunset, leaving Ma'ii behind with my husband. We were gone for about 25 minutes or so without incident, when suddenly Charlotte stops and stares off into this field. Suddenly her tail flys straight up over her back and her fur begins to bristle. I'm looking and looking and can't see anything. Than she charges forward a few feet and stops. I'm a bit spooked by this point, and end up leashing her and dragging her off in the opposite direction. As we are walking away, she'd frequently stop and turn around and look behind us. It wasn't until we were way up on top of a hill that I looked down and saw a frickin' MOUNTAIN LION slinking into the bushes way down where we just were. We've encountered them before, but it's always been when safety was 10 feet away, not a mile from home out in no man's land, with just a can of mace for protection. We got our butts out of there in a hurry.

Looking back on it, I'm pretty sure if Charlotte had been alone or I had been out of view, she'd have been lunch. Me simply being there was probably the only thing keeping it from attacking. Charlotte would of fought like hell, but she's no match for a cougar. We do have a pistol, but it's my husband's and he's the only one that knows how to use it. Think it's time I start learning too.
 

DJEtzel

Active Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
3,267
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
#3
How flippin' scary!! :eek:

So glad everything went ok, I can't imagine how nervous you must have been. Definitely recommend learning to shoot - especially if you're going to be in no man's land like that "alone".
 

*blackrose

"I'm kupo for kupo nuts!"
Joined
May 11, 2010
Messages
7,065
Likes
3
Points
38
Age
33
Location
WI
#4
That would freak me out. Big time. Definitely recommend learning to shoot, and perhaps upgrading from just a pistol.

Big cats are amazing, when they aren't right next to me.
 

xpaeanx

Active Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
8,387
Likes
1
Points
38
Location
Long Island, NY
#5
That's scary. Cats, hogs, & grizzly are no fun! I def recommend learning to shoot and carrying a pistol to ANYONE who plans to go deep into backcountry.
 

mrose_s

BusterLove
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Messages
12,169
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
34
Location
QLD, Australia
#6
See, that is scary. And a perfect example of why I don't understand why people go on about Australia being frightening. Never seen a mountain lion or a bear, coyote or wolf here.
 

Shakou

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
790
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
None of those animals are really scary if you know how to deal with them. I highly doubt the mountain lion would of tried anything with me there.
 

HayleyMarie

Like a bat outa' hell
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
7,058
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Beautiful British Columbia!!
#8
That is pretty intense. Last fall Tyler and I had a really close encounter with a Cougar. By close encounter I mean like 20 feet away and just starting at us. He was down the path from where we where walking. It was hunting season and we where waiting behind a bush by a little lake and the cat must of followed us or was curious because Tyler got this weird feeling. Turned around and here was this cat stating at us. We both stood up and we stared at the cat, with the cat staring back for about a minute and then we said one-two-three- and then ran at it. Talk about adrenalin rush.

I am not to scared of them. We live in the middle of the mountains and this wont be the first or last time we will come across a cougar. Bears and cougars frequently come into town as well. One of the reasons we got Panzer was for protection. We also always carry a gun loaded correctly for bear and cougar protection. Mainly if we run across of pissed off Grizzly.
 

Shakou

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
790
Likes
0
Points
0
#9
That is pretty intense. Last fall Tyler and I had a really close encounter with a Cougar. By close encounter I mean like 20 feet away and just starting at us. He was down the path from where we where walking. It was hunting season and we where waiting behind a bush by a little lake and the cat must of followed us or was curious because Tyler got this weird feeling. Turned around and here was this cat stating at us. We both stood up and we stared at the cat, with the cat staring back for about a minute and then we said one-two-three- and then ran at it. Talk about adrenalin rush.

I am not to scared of them. We live in the middle of the mountains and this wont be the first or last time we will come across a cougar. Bears and cougars frequently come into town as well. One of the reasons we got Panzer was for protection. We also always carry a gun loaded correctly for bear and cougar protection. Mainly if we run across of pissed off Grizzly.
It's an easy thing to forget when your faced to face with a large predator and your instinct kicks in, but big cats usually won't touch you, especially if you puff yourself up and appear intimidating. Unless sick or really desperate, they aren't looking for a fight, and will back off if they think that's what they are going to get if they pursue you. Why waste energy and risk injury when there's easier prey out there to hunt. Usually when you're being stalked or watched, they are simply curious. It's mainly my dogs I worry about. Charlotte is only 30 pounds and a senior. She'd put up one hell of a fight, but she's no match for a mountain lion. Same with Ma'ii. We'll keep going on our hikes, but I'll be a lot more vigilant.
 

HayleyMarie

Like a bat outa' hell
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
7,058
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Beautiful British Columbia!!
#10
It's an easy thing to forget when your faced to face with a large predator and your instinct kicks in, but big cats usually won't touch you, especially if you puff yourself up and appear intimidating. Unless sick or really desperate, they aren't looking for a fight, and will back off if they think that's what they are going to get if they pursue you. Why waste energy and risk injury when there's easier prey out there to hunt. Usually when you're being stalked or watched, they are simply curious. It's mainly my dogs I worry about. Charlotte is only 30 pounds and a senior. She'd put up one hell of a fight, but she's no match for a mountain lion. Same with Ma'ii. We'll keep going on our hikes, but I'll be a lot more vigilant.
Totally, its a scary thing and something you have to be aware of. I worry about Teagan all the time, but that is not going to stop us from going hiking. But you have to be vigilant and be as prepared as possibe.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top