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| KNOW the range of these
animals. For example, you may not expect to see a panther in
Florida, but they DO live there. |
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Make sure someone knows
where you are going and when you plan to return. Carry
hand-held radios for communication with the aircraft or base camp.
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Pepper
spray (available from UDAP
Industries) has been proven as an effective bear deterrent.
It will work on cougars too. Wear it on your belt like you would a
pistol. There's NO time to get it from your pack once you're in
trouble. Don't hang around after you've sprayed an animal.
For example, once the initial shock has worn off, bears have been known to ENJOY
licking the pepper residue off themselves!
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A "Bear
Bell" tied to your boot may alert a cougar to your
presence before you accidentally surprise it. If these animals
become aware of you, they'll usually leave the area without you ever
seeing them.
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Watch for "sign"
Keep an eye out for
tracks, claw marks, droppings, or torn up stumps and trees, bedding
and den sites, kills, etc.
Note that unlike bears and dogs, cats have retractable claws. |
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| Cougar vs. Dog Tracks |
Clawed Tree Trunk |
 If You See a Cougar or Panther
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Stop, stand still a
moment, and stay calm.
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If the animal is already
aware of you, help it to identify you as a human. Talk in
low tones, and slowly wave your arms. It may then leave.
Staying upwind will help it to smell you.
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Do NOT run from a
big cat unless you are sure you can reach a safe place.
It can run faster than humans.
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Always leave the cat (and yourself) an avenue of escape. Do this by
maintaining your "Situation
Awareness."
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Quietly walk back the
way you came making sure to not pass between the animal and any cubs.
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If time and
circumstances permit, try to scare the predator away with loud noises.
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Protect your neck,
this is a primary kill zone that a big cat will target.
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These animals may also
try to disembowel you by clawing at your abdomen with its hind
feet. This is another prime target.
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Fight back using
sticks, stones, hands and feet! Cougars have been driven away by
people fighting back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their
bare hands. Remember, you have a hammer with a sharp
end. USE IT!
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Use pepper
spray if you have it.
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Do
NOT play dead.
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Try to poke out the cat's eyes.
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You can also try to suffocate
the cougar by forcing your closed fist way down its throat.
The idea is to reach down the cat's mouth as though you wanted to grab
its stomach and hold your fist there until the cat stops moving.
This
requires that YOU become the predator.
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If possible, avoid killing the cat.
Remember, you are the visitor in its home, and the cat is only doing what
big cats do.
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