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If a Mountain Lion Will Not Leave, Shoot It
AmmoLand ^ | January 28, 2026 | Dean Weingarten

Posted on 01/31/2026 4:51:04 AM PST by marktwain

Before the recent predatory killing of a woman in Colorado by a mountain lion, there were a number of warning events. Kristen Marie Kovatch was killed by a mountain lion on January 1 in Larimer County. According to the Denver Gazette, there were five confrontations with lions in the area from October 28 through December 23. Only one of the incidents involved the killing of a lion that was attacking a dog in the owner’s yard.

The Denver Gazette article gleans three lessons from the series of events. The third is a set of recommendations about what to do if confronted by a lion in the wild.

 And third – if a mountain lion is encountered in the wild, hazing it away is the proper approach opposed to attempting to run. Running can trigger a chase response, while hazing it away by throwing objects in its direction can get it to leave an area or back off. Loud noises can work, too. It’s important not to crouch down and to keep your eyes on the mountain lion while retreating, as well. Mountain lion attacks are extremely rare, but it’s important to know what to do if you happen to spot one in the area.

What is blatantly missing is advice to carry a weapon for defense when walking or hiking in lion country.

Mountain lions are not known to absorb large amounts of lead or to continue attacking when wounded. Colorado is an open carry state. No license is required to carry in nearly all outdoor areas, except in Denver. Counties may have the ability to regulate open carry, it does not appear to be utilized outside of Denver. In a vehicle, if you do not have a concealed carry permit, firearms are prohibited from having a round in the chamber.

(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...


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KEYWORDS: 5thcolumnonfr; attack; banglist; clickbait; co; disruptorkywrdtroll; dukeywordtroll; iceinstructionstoo; lion; wildlife
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Mountain lions tend to run away when injured. I have not come across any case where they continued to attack once shot, with any caliber of firearm.

As pure predators, they must be careful to avoid injury, which could be a death penalty by starvation.

1 posted on 01/31/2026 4:51:04 AM PST by marktwain
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To: marktwain

Just have everybody wear running shoes and run. The lost child should not affect the lineage that much.


2 posted on 01/31/2026 5:00:03 AM PST by Jonty30 (Escasooners are faster than escalators,)
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To: marktwain

Your advice is sound. But I’m still tempted to spray them with a water bottle and yell “BAD KITTY!”
😉(J/K)

CC


3 posted on 01/31/2026 5:03:52 AM PST by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
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To: marktwain
I have not come across any case where they continued to attack once shot, with any caliber of firearm.

When I visited a police station in California, there was a poster on the wall that read:

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION

1. Act superior to the mountain lion.
2. Make yourself look larger than you actually are.
3. Don't run away, the mountain lion will think you are prey.

4 posted on 01/31/2026 5:11:50 AM PST by Right_Wing_Madman
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To: Right_Wing_Madman
This is good advice but being armed is the best

Mountain lions are incredibly fast and powerful. If they come at you are in big trouble, even with a gun.

5 posted on 01/31/2026 5:33:01 AM PST by rdcbn1 (..when poets buy guns, tourist season is over................Walter R. Mead)
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To: marktwain

Apply the three ‘s’s.
Shoot.
Shovel.
Silence.


6 posted on 01/31/2026 5:36:33 AM PST by DugwayDuke (Most pick the expert who says the things they agree with.)
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To: marktwain

If you live in Lion country and don’t carry a gun, you’re a meal!

It’s common sense.


7 posted on 01/31/2026 5:37:27 AM PST by old school
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To: marktwain

Was stalked by a mountain lion last fall. Have pictures of his footprints in the sand of the Snake River. Never saw him. He sure saw me … napping in the sun with my sidearm 6 feet away.

Doh!


8 posted on 01/31/2026 5:46:38 AM PST by Uncle Miltie (No American Blood for censorious socialist islamophiles!)
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To: marktwain

The news articles on the incident in Laramie county had interviews with people who were pretty clueless. One fellow had an encounter while jogging at night on the trail. It was pretty harrowing by his account, and thought he was going to be eaten. He went on to say he “understands” mountain lions, and that they are “peaceful animals”. That’s insane to say something like that.


9 posted on 01/31/2026 5:47:55 AM PST by Freedom4US
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To: marktwain

“It’s important not to crouch down and to keep your eyes on the mountain lion while retreating, as well.”

I assume you keep your eyes on them as opposed to not.


10 posted on 01/31/2026 5:53:10 AM PST by alternatives?
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To: marktwain

I understand that mountain lions are pretty dangerous when hungry. More likely to run when not.

So context matters.


11 posted on 01/31/2026 5:54:35 AM PST by anton
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To: Freedom4US
He went on to say he “understands” mountain lions, and that they are “peaceful animals”. That’s insane to say something like that.

Oh, he'll love wolves! Nice doggies!

12 posted on 01/31/2026 5:54:57 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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To: marktwain

> In a vehicle, if you do not have a concealed carry permit, firearms are prohibited from having a round in the chamber. <

It’s a side point. But the above shows how insane gun laws are in the United States. It’s a crazy quilt of different regulations.

How about starting with “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Add a minimum number of restrictions (like a minimum age), and that’s about it.


13 posted on 01/31/2026 5:55:24 AM PST by Leaning Right (It's morning in America. Again.)
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To: Leaning Right

How about, any member of Congress that suggests infringing on the 2nd amendment shall automatically be removed from Congress.


14 posted on 01/31/2026 6:05:58 AM PST by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
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To: Right_Wing_Madman

Don’t “act” superior - BE superior!

Wear that NPR fundraiser beanie with pride!


15 posted on 01/31/2026 6:07:44 AM PST by larrytown (A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. Then they graduate...)
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To: alternatives?
“It’s important not to crouch down and to keep your eyes on the mountain lion while retreating, as well.”

I assume you keep your eyes on them as opposed to not.

Check out the youtube video of Kyle Burgess, Utah mountain trail runner pursued by a mama mountain lion for six terrifying minutes.

warning: Language is, understandably, NSFW.

16 posted on 01/31/2026 6:11:32 AM PST by Castlebar
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To: Keyhopper
How about, any member of Congress that suggests infringing on the 2nd amendment shall automatically be removed from Congress.

Remove them from the country as well. To attack the Constitution while sitting in Congress is an act of treason.

Expedite their delivery to Britain with the explicit sentence that they are never to set foot in the Western Hemisphere again.

17 posted on 01/31/2026 6:38:20 AM PST by T.B. Yoits
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To: alternatives?

Crouching into a nice Weaver stance while pointing ones handgun towards the Mountain lion would be advisable.


18 posted on 01/31/2026 6:40:30 AM PST by riverrunner
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To: Castlebar

My point was the English wasn’t clear. I know cats don’t like being stared at. Whether that leads to them attacking or avoiding you is unclear. I would suspect the latter.


19 posted on 01/31/2026 6:47:25 AM PST by alternatives?
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To: Right_Wing_Madman
Eyespot (mimicry) - in nature, painted on livestock, or on the back of your hat.





20 posted on 01/31/2026 6:49:59 AM PST by T.B. Yoits
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