I can think of one candidate:
Posted on 11/12/2007 4:14:44 PM PST by george76
A hunter was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday near Kalispell.
The hunter told officials he was several miles in on a trail when he heard what sounded like the scream of a mountain lion.
A short time later, he heard a growl and turned to see a lion about 10 to 15 feet away.
The man dropped his rifle and rushed to get behind a tree.
The lion pounced on his back and knocked him into the tree.
The collision made the lion lose its grip and the hunter reached his pistol and fired a shot...
He met several other hunters who helped him to reach his car.
The hunter began driving back to Kalispell and notified relatives, who met him with assistance.
At the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, the man received five stitches for cuts to his leg from the lion’s claws.
He also was treated for scratches on his back and shoulder and a few puncture wounds to the back of his head.
The hunter’s backpack, which was shredded, probably prevented the lion from causing more serious injuries...
In 1989, a lion killed a 5-year-old boy in Evaro. In 1990, there was a rash of encounters between people and lions in western Montana.
In the 1990s, lions were sighted in Missoula proper, including one that stalked a small child and one that was captured in a basement, both in the lower Rattlesnake residential area.
In 1998, a lion attacked a small boy near Marshall Mountain Ski Area before it was fought off by a 16-year-old camp counselor.
(Excerpt) Read more at missoulian.com ...
The local article states that he dropped his rifle and was reaching for a 2nd weapon, presumably a pistol.
I see them frequently in the mountains where I hunt. Of course, I’m in CA where they can’t be hunted.
In my opinion, raccoons make the scariest sound of all.
I’ve lived here 7 years and not seen one yet. They are out there, but just not as numerous as states that don’t hunt them.
...especially if it was a bolt action! I’d want something that can rapid fire.
I can think of one candidate:
In 1970, when it was still legal to hunt them, there were an estimated 2,000 lions in California. Now, biologists estimate that there are over 20,000. Beware, I have seen quite a few in the last decade.
I've hunted, fished, hiked, and scuba dived for a lot of years. It seems funny I guess that I've never seen those two creatures but I haven't. I've seen tracks and sign, but never the actual animals. Someday, I hope.
“Next time I suggest he just shoot the damn thing and avoid all the pain of claw and punture wounds.”
He DROPPED his rifle and RAN. If you run they think you’re prey. Not a good move.
A liberal.
Pucker factor overtakes good decisions sometimes ........:o)
The predator conservation group Sinapu has convinced the Colorado DOW to start new rules and tests for lion hunting.
There was a big effort by Sinapu to get the guy who recently shot a lion arrested. The lion had the guy’s dog in its mouth.
Not sure of Montana.
Not only do we hunt them, but they get eaten. Not such a bad sausage meat. I live along Cougar ridge in NW Montana, it is named that for a reason.
Gunner
Their eyes are very intense. It is as if they are looking thru you.
“We have seen several. No telling how many saw us that we did not see.”
....I’m a member of the Eastern Cougar Foundation....we’re assembling a data base of possible sightings EAST of the Mississippi....here’s some info:
http://www.easterncougar.org/
We are now allowed to hunt mountain lions here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Nine taken so far in the past couple of weeks. Last winter, one took our kitty off our back deck. We saw it happen. Several neighbors lost small dogs around the same time. Another neighbor lost all the koi out of his pond. They are becoming a big problem around here.
Never heard one in the wild - never hope to hear one
Have heard a bobcat let loose in the woods - that's enough to curdle the blood - and turn the knees to putty
If you’re in Inyo/Mono area, you’re probably familiar with Kennedy Keadows. I’ve see the cats in the mountains above that area for years. Never up too close, but I’ve had them in my sights.
LOL
Even an unexpected "Buck Snort" can startle a hunter enough to drop his gun -
Oh, I agree. Still, pucker factor can get you killed. Time for me to remember my situation awareness when out in the woods. Heck, out and about anywhere as well.
Anyway, a good reminder to stay alert and remember we’re also prey to some critters!
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