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>> “I have hunted deer and elk over forty years in prime cougar country in three states and not once have I had the privilege of seeing a cougar. In that type country they've not lost their fear of man.” <<

I have seen a total of 3 mountain lions (not in captivity). Two were in residential areas, and one was on a well traveled paved road. It was looking at 2 deer a hundred yards away, also on the road. Since the deer could also see the cat, and a cougar is unlikely to catch a deer with that much head start, I conclude that the cat was not functioning normally.

Since all three sitings were in HOT weather, my theory is that Cougars sometimes become deranged by excess heat. If that is so, those so affected will be much more dangerous to humans than healthy ones, who are “cool” enough to keep out of sight.

You might have something there, I don’t know.

I do know that in the foothill areas of Los Angeles county there have been cougar encounters with them coming out of the hills into residential areas in the last few years. A child was killed though pets have been the bulk of attacks.

I grew up and lived many years in communities that abutted the San Gabriel mountains and can’t remember a single incident from back then. Since (I believe) 1996 when the people voted to protect them there have been more and more incidents, of course there’s more and more people every year too.