But don't throw everything you have, though. But you will probably be carrying a backpack or fanny pack containing hard items that can be thrown, like water bottles, and you could retrieve those while remaining upright to use as projectiles. However, stones and branches may not always be readily within reach. If you are with others, the shorter/smaller individuals could bend down close behind taller/bigger individuals (make it look as much as possible like you are all one big animal) and provide the taller/bigger individuals with rocks or sticks to throw. If you are in a wooded area, you might be able to find a loose branch within reach, or feel free to break branches off of trees or shrubs, if necessary. One might ask: "How do I reach stones or branches without bending down?" If you are in a trailcut, you could get rocks to throw from the side of the trailcut. Again, during the initial stages of a mountain lion encounter, the idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it. With that said, your safety is of the utmost importance and the National Park Service won't necessarily prosecute you for harassment of wildlife if something you throw at an aggressive mountain lion does make contact. And that will hopefully deter it from approaching any closer. You aren't wanting to hit and unnecessarily injure the mountain lion, but you do want to show it that you can defend yourself and potentially injure it. Aim for the ground in front of it don't throw things directly at it just yet. If looking bigger doesn't scare the mountain lion off, without crouching or turning your back, start throwing stones, branches, or whatever you can reach in its direction (e.g., toward it, but not directly at it).Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. Attempt to appear larger by raising your arms and opening your jacket if you are wearing one.If the mountain lion moves in your direction or acts aggressively: If you're in mountain lion habitat, avoid squatting, crouching, or bending over, even when picking up children. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. Biologists surmise mountain lions don't recognize standing humans as prey. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion. If you have small children with you, pick them up, if possible, so they don't panic and run. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Never approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Keep children within your sight at all times. Hike in groups, with adults supervising children. We offer the following recommendations to increase your safety:ĭo not hike alone. There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion. Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards. Although lion attacks are rare, they are possible, as is injury from any wild animal. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Such conditions exist within Point Reyes National Seashore. They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive.
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