Cougars can often seem mysterious, and malicious, in a way that grizzly bears don鈥檛. (As you can probably tell, I鈥檓 not a cat person.) Attacks have occurred throughout the western rim of North America, from California to British Columbia. With the warming climate pushing mule deer north into my home, the Yukon Territory, I鈥檓 dreading the day that the big felines arrive.
Fortunately, the facts say my fears are unfounded: you’re 60 times more likely to be killed by bees than by a cougar.
There are several risk factors that can . The first is the cougar鈥檚 age: After they leave their mothers, young 鈥渢eenage鈥 cougars go in search of a range of their own. As they roam in search of unclaimed territory, they sometimes stray into populated rural areas. A second factor is the human鈥檚 age. Most cougar attacks, both fatal and non-fatal, have been aimed at children under 16.
The solution? If you鈥檙e camping in cougar country with kids, make sure they鈥檙e playing together 鈥 and ideally, with adult supervision. A dog鈥檚 presence can serve as an 鈥渆arly-warning system,鈥 too, though it may not scare off a cat on the prowl. Dusk and dawn are the cougar鈥檚 prime hunting hours, so be especially sure to keep the kids close at hand at those times.
On the trail, the recommended precautions are similar to standard bear protocol. Travel in groups of two or more. Make plenty of noise while you hike, and watch for cougar sign. Any sighting of cougar kittens is an immediate signal to retreat.
If you do encounter a cougar in the wild, remain calm. Do not approach the cougar, and do speak in a confident voice. Be sure to leave the cougar its own avenue of escape as you move away. Pick up your children, and do not run or turn your back on the cat. Try to make yourself look big and tall, and grab a large stick if you have one handy.
In the event of attack, fight. Many people have fended off angry cats using their fists, water bottle, or anything else at hand.
Cougars have a reputation as mysterious killers, but a large part of the mystery comes from the fact that our encounters with them are so rare. Chances are slim that you鈥檒l ever have to put these guidelines into effect.