Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

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arlohike
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Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by arlohike » February 5th, 2019, 10:33 pm

Deadly for the lion, that is. This is all over the news today, but this article had some details of how the trail runner handled the attack:

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/02/05/h ... er-county/

I recall reading somewhere that most mountain lions will run from a fight, but younger lions might have poorer judgment about that.
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retired jerry
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by retired jerry » February 6th, 2019, 5:30 am

The guy strangled the Mountain Lion is what I read

Mountain lions are maybe 80 pounds. In the very unlikely event you encounter a mountain lion, fight back vigorously. Stand up, don't lie on the ground. Pick up rocks and sticks. I bet a trekking pole would be effective. I think that's the lesson learned from this.

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drm
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by drm » February 6th, 2019, 7:49 am

arlohike wrote:
February 5th, 2019, 10:33 pm
I recall reading somewhere that most mountain lions will run from a fight, but younger lions might have poorer judgment about that.
Mountain lions normally attack with stealth, so if you see it before it attacks, it's already off it's game and so would not normally pursue it further.

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aiwetir
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by aiwetir » February 6th, 2019, 10:32 am

drm wrote:
February 6th, 2019, 7:49 am
Mountain lions normally attack with stealth, so if you see it before it attacks, it's already off it's game and so would not normally pursue it further.
They may show themselves to see how you react. If you run, then they can tell you're prey, if you don't, they might just keep going.
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by Thuja » February 7th, 2019, 5:40 pm

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Last edited by Thuja on March 8th, 2019, 7:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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arlohike
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by arlohike » February 8th, 2019, 12:24 pm

Thuja wrote:
February 7th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Imagine being stared down by a cougar with a wiggling butt, ready to pounce, for 15 minutes, maybe 30...
When my cat does this, I'm grateful she doesn't weigh 80 pounds!
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aiwetir
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by aiwetir » February 9th, 2019, 12:42 am

arlohike wrote:
February 8th, 2019, 12:24 pm
When my cat does this, I'm grateful she doesn't weigh 80 pounds!
Just keep in mind that your cat would most certainly eat you given the chance :lol:
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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by drm » February 9th, 2019, 8:23 am

aiwetir wrote:
February 6th, 2019, 10:32 am
They may show themselves to see how you react. If you run, then they can tell you're prey, if you don't, they might just keep going.
They might, but again, my understanding is that their normal mode of attack is either from behind or above. And if you run away, then you are ensuring that the predator is behind you, where it wants to be.

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Re: Deadly Colorado Mountain Lion Attack

Post by aiwetir » February 11th, 2019, 2:28 am

drm wrote:
February 9th, 2019, 8:23 am
They might, but again, my understanding is that their normal mode of attack is either from behind or above. And if you run away, then you are ensuring that the predator is behind you, where it wants to be.
Yes, that is their normal mode, but there's plenty of stories and video out there showing them testing people too. Honestly if they want to get you, you probably won't know what's coming.

I once watched a bobcat run through the woods after a squirrel and I don't think I ever heard it make a noise.
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