Posted on 05/17/2012 4:11:46 PM PDT by SJackson
I encountered one of those circa 1992 in the Gila Wilderness.
Nothing like a 7' long 200 lb. cat to get your attention.
I was hunting and was armed with a .30-.30, a single-action revolver in .45 Colt and a knife. However, they were all in a pack leaning against a tree about six steps away (I had stopped to eat an apple and a sandwich and was sitting on a rock under a tree on the West Branch of the Gila River).
The cat was about 4' overhead, lounging on a horizontal limb. I got to my feet slowly and backed up to my gear at about one step every 10 seconds, never taking my eyes off the cat. I retrieved my gear and walked backwards at port arms at almost the same pace about 1/4 mile.
Just lucky it wasn't interested in me. I've been almost shredded by a house cat before, but that thing outweighed me.
From that point on, the rifle was always within reach and the knife and revolver on a hip.
That encounter still gives me the willies.
I think Mrs. Joe would have killed it with one swing (ducking).
I think that's on one of the adult channels...
ACME!
A rabid cougar?
Yikes!
According to Al Sharpton, Trayvon Martin had skillets.
....and the other cougers are fearful now of cast-iron frying pans.
Liberal/EnviroNut speak: We need cast-iron frying pan control laws. LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.