<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe best way to know if there are big cats around is to look for their paw prints. That’s easier said than done. It can be extremely difficult to differentiate between a large dog and cougar print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cougar prints are about the same size as a human palm, yet rounded and rarely have claw marks. Large dog prints can be just as big, but they walk heavy leaving behind nail marks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you come across a bunch of big prints keep an eye out. You might even stumble across a partially eaten deer carcass. Sometimes they’re hidden under leaves and grass. Give the area a wide birth and obviously avoid setting up camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) Do Your Homework Before Setting Out<\/h4>\n\n\n\n Since cougars are very secretive and rarely seen, most of us think they’re rare. While that may be true in certain parts of the country, they aren’t rare in others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When doing your pretrip research ask the land management rangers if there are cougars in the area. They should be able to point you in the direction of a safe camping area nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Know How to Respond<\/h4>\n\n\n\n Most cougar encounters happen at a safe distance. This results in a sense of wonderment with very little danger. Just like riding your first rollercoaster you’ll feel a shiver down your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also get excited whenever you see a fresh track. How boring would the American wilderness be without bears, wolves and cougars? Just make sure you’re the one looking for the cat, and he’s not looking for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5) Travel in Groups<\/h4>\n\n\n\n When hiking in cougar country, travel in small groups. Being a solitary creature they know they can’t fight off more than one person. Or maybe they can, but they’ll still take a small beating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carry walking sticks, survival knives, pepper spray etc. to fight them off. Keep your small children close by and make sure you pay extra attention in low sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Groups carrying on in the woods will quickly scare off even the nosiest cat. Remember they don’t like to be seen. Once they know there’s a group of people on the trail they’ll high tail it out of there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other Useful Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNever Run:<\/strong> Running is going to draw a lot of attention. Have you ever seen a cat play with a mouse.<\/g> They wait for them to run and then they pounce. If you’re small and alone the swift movement will make you look like a tasty little deer.<\/li>See a Cougar Far Away: <\/strong> If you see a cougar and he’s more than 50 yards away gather up your children and walk<\/g> away. Keep non-threatening eye contact with the cougar so he knows you’ve seen him. Point him out to your kids and slowly walk away making sure you aren’t being stalked.<\/li>Cougar is Closeby:<\/strong> You need to get a little bit worried if the animal is closeby<\/g>. Remember that his whole life is finding food and eating for survival. Cougars don’t just stumble upon you, he knows you’re there, and there’s only one reason he’d be that close. If he’s staring intently and creeping towards you he’s ready to attack. Make aggressive eye contact, speak loudly towards him and get big, you need to be ready for an attack. Whatever you do don’t run, because that will stimulate his attack reflex.<\/li>What if He Attacks: <\/strong> If the cougar attacks, all you can do is fight back with everything you have. Use rocks, sticks, knives, pepper spray everything you can possibly get your hands on to fight him off. When you get knocked down quickly get back up. If he sees you as a threat your chances of survival are high.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Imagine yourself walking down the trail when you hear a slight rustling coming from the bushes. You slowly begin to take a few steps back only to have a cougar leap out from the bushes. Wrestling off a massive cat is next to impossible. It takes a special type of person to fight off a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[9,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Stay Safe Hiking and Camping In Cougar Country - RangetoReel<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n