How to Keep a Watch Out for Cougars

Video Transcript

"Hi! I'm Jordan Pederson for Expert Village. We're going to talk a little bit about safety in cougar country. This is a cougar skull. Has the incisors, large canines, but the premolars, unlike the black bear do not meet and are not used for grinding. This apparatus here is called a carnassials sheer. When the cougar makes a kill, they sheer off large quantities of meat, basically swallow it whole and then find a place and digest that meal after they've covered the carcass. Cougars are stock predators in that they position themselves in a very short chase. They're not into a long extended chase. They're ambush predators in that they will position themselves on a trail or game will come along. Occasionally a bicycle person or a hiker. What you want to do is if you are attacked, you want to fight, you want to kick, you want to scream, you want to get a rock in your hand and you want to fight them off. They usually will attack you from the back. They do not like to come on to you head-on. If they do come on to you head on, do not make eye contact. Indirectly see where they are and what you're doing. Stretch your arms out and retreat if possible. Never run. Either with a cougar or a bear. This excites the predatory response in them. What you want to do is get out of the area slowly and as quietly and quickly as possible. Cougars will also try to come at you on a sudden quick attack. They will also stalk you. Again, the thing to do in both cougar and bear country is to keep aware of your surroundings. Look around. Don't just walk with your head down. Look around, stop occasionally, and see what's going on around you. "