[Smokin' Joe]

If they have a full belly and an escape route, they will usually leave. Otherwise, they can be trouble. I have only come 'face to face' with one in Nevada, and was thankful the windshield was there (it jumped the three lane wide rig road in one hop, with plenty of room to spare.)

A guy from another company came up on two who had very recently eaten the innards out of a deer, about 150 yards away, around the mountain from me. The cats left, but neither me nor another guy on the mountain saw them. We did find the kill, buried in leaves, 'cooking' in the heat. Pretty fresh.

IMHO, keep the kids inside, the pets (and their food) in at night, and a shootin' iron handy.

[ZULU]

Most easterners know what they know about wildlife from watching Disney specials.

Cougars and bears are potentially dangerous animals - not cartoon characters. You are right on the mark about cougars and their stealthiness and penchant for children (or smaller adult humans). Normally, a big guy is in less danger - especially if he has a gun or a good knife with him and knows how to use it.