It’s everybody’s worst nightmare: you’re having fun with a pleasant, quiet hike by the woods when all of a sudden, you’re head to head with a mountain lion that might rip you to shreds. What do you do?
You change into frozen to the spot and all of your data of forest security flies out the window.
You really feel like working, however you already know deep down that that will solely make issues worse.
Then, you bear in mind you might have one thing to defend your self with. But it’s bear spray.
Surely that’s higher than nothing. But does bear spray work on mountain lions in any case?
Does Bear Spray Work on Mountain Lions?
Yes, bear spray works mountain lions! It works on any animal that has eyes and lungs.
They gained’t like their delicate eyes and noses bothered in any method and can virtually at all times retreat rapidly when the spray is inhaled.
Bear spray will defend you from a wide range of animals together with mountain lions, cougars, wolfs, coyotes, wild pigs, elk, moose, and even canine.
Using Bear Spray Against a Mountain Lion
You don’t need to end up solely armed with bear spray when head to head with a cougar and solely then start to query, “Does bear spray work on cougars?”
Sometimes, individuals don’t even take into consideration what they’d do in the event that they encountered a cougar within the wilderness till it really occurs and time is of the essence, so that you don’t need to hesitate.
If you end up within the precarious state of affairs of getting to fend off a mountain lion with bear spray, the hot button is to stay calm and observe the beneath steps.
Grab Your Canister
Don’t panic. Remain calm and seize your bear spray canister slowly to forestall any sudden actions or noise that may worsen the mountain lion into attacking faster.
Hold the Can Firmly
Nerves would possibly get the perfect of you to the purpose the place you may need a trembling grip on the bear spray.
But until you need to find yourself coated in bear spray your self, strive to make sure of your actions and maintain the can firmly and steadily as you proceed.
Remove the Safety Clip
To take away the security clip on bear spray, put your thumb on the curved facet of the clip and pull it again in direction of you.
The clip ought to dislodge, permitting you to spray the canister freely.
Aim Slightly Downward
If the mountain lion is attacking you, goal immediately for his or her eyes.
If they aren’t attacking you, the aim is to create a cloud of spray that they should stroll by, so goal downward just a few ft forward of them.
Spray for 1 to 2 Seconds
Remember that you just solely have 4-9 seconds complete of bear spray discharge, so attempt to use it sparingly and spray for just one to 2 seconds at a time.
Read: How Fast Can A Bear Run?
Do Mountain Lions Attack Humans?
The brief reply is: sure, mountains can assault people. However, it’s a reasonably uncommon incidence.
How Often Do Attacks Occur?
Cases of mountain lions attacking people are simply not that frequent.
Since 1986, there have been solely 19 verified mountain lion assaults with simply 3 of them being deadly.
And, since 1890, there have been lower than 100 assaults on people by mountain lions with fewer than 20 of these assaults being deadly.
So it’s not one thing it’s essential to actively fear about.
However, mountain lions are beginning to pop up in locations they beforehand hadn’t inhabited.
Thanks to laws towards searching mountain lions and cougars, their inhabitants is rising and their habitats are increasing, which could possibly be the rationale behind more moderen sightings and shut calls.
Chances of Being Mauled by a Mountain Lion vs. Bear
According to the National Park Service, there’s a 1 in 2.1 million likelihood of getting mauled by a bear.
That’s a lot lower than the possibilities of dying in a automotive accident.
And contemplating there have solely been 19 mountain lion assaults prior to now 36 years, the possibilities of getting attacked by a mountain lion are simply as slim.
The likelihood of being mauled by both a mountain lion or bear would additionally rely on what space you might be mountain climbing or tenting in.
Mountain lions like rocky canyons and mountainous terrain, whereas bears reside in forests and grassy areas.
Neither animal units out to hunt a human. But that doesn’t imply they gained’t assault if they’re provoked or threatened.
As lengthy as you might be cautious and conscious of your environment, likelihood is, you gained’t be mauled by both animal!
Where Do Mountain Lions Live?
According to the Mountain Lion Foundation, mountain lions was discovered throughout the whole United States.
But as their inhabitants decreased over the many years because of over-hunting, they’re now primarily present in 14 western states together with Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
There are additionally small populations of mountain lions in Arkansas, Florida, and South Dakota.
Mountain lions reside in a wide range of locals, from sea stage all the way in which to mountain tops.
They have been present in humid forests, woodlands, wetlands, deserts, scrubby hills, canyons, and mountains.
They are primarily present in areas the place their favourite prey, deer, may be discovered and locations they will discover plentiful shelter.
Preventing a Mountain Lion Attack
Mountain lions attacking people could not occur usually, but it surely’s at all times a good suggestion to be ready simply in case.
As lengthy as you might be acutely aware of your actions, conscious of your environment, and educated about what to do, you’ll be good to go.
And should you’re questioning, “Does bear spray work on mountain lions? Should I pack it just in case?” The reply is sure to each questions!
It by no means hurts to be geared up with bear spray in case one by chance runs throughout your path.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It’s at all times a good suggestion to concentrate on your environment, however particularly when within the wilderness.
Look for indicators that mountain lions could also be within the space you might be mountain climbing.
Things like scratch marks on timber and recent kills might point out that they both frequent the world you might be in or that they are going to be again quickly.
It additionally helps to not hike alone. Mountain lions shall be much less more likely to assault a bunch versus a single hiker.
If you come throughout cougar cubs or see indicators of them, it’s greatest to depart the world instantly.
Like many different wild animals, mountain lions are fiercely protecting of their younger.
Make Noise, Be Loud and Aggressive
It could also be tempting to get pleasure from a pleasant, quiet hike by nature.
But getting loud in your hike would possibly deter any wild animals from approaching you and even persuade them to go in one other route on the off likelihood that they’re about to cross your path.
If you do encounter a mountain lion in particular person, don’t panic.
You’ll need to seem greater and extra aggressive than you could really feel within the second.
If you get loud and begin waving your arms, the mountain lion with both see you as a risk and go away, or acknowledge you as a human, and never prey, and change into disinterested.
Remember Not to Run
Running could possibly be the very factor that triggers a mountain lion to assault.
Sudden, fast actions make them really feel jumpy and threatened. So, naturally, you working in any route would make them pounce.
It’s greatest to maintain eye contact with the mountain and again away slowly. And by no means, ever flip your again to it.
What To Do if a Mountain Lion Attacks You
If the worst-case state of affairs does occur and also you encounter a mountain lion that is able to assault, make certain to face your floor and keep calm.
Do Not Run Away
Never run away should you come face-to-face with a mountain lion.
Running might encourage them to chase after and assault you. Instead, maintain your floor and get up tall.
And it doesn’t matter what, don’t crouch or get down low. You will appear like four-legged prey to them should you do that.
Staying upright on two legs as an alternative of 4 will present the mountain lion that you’re not their regular prey- which is an efficient factor!
Look and Act Intimidating
If the mountain lion is appearing aggressively, it’s essential to do one thing to intimidate it and make it suppose twice earlier than attacking you.
Make your self look greater to the mountain lion.
Raise your arms, open your jacket, and even get loud! If you are able to do so with out crouching or turning your again on the mountain lion, throw objects at it to scare it off.
Fight Back if Attacked
If push involves shove and also you or one other are attacked by the mountain lion, battle again!
You can use something you will get ahold of to battle off a mountain lion.
This contains sticks, rock, your naked palms, and, after all, bear spray. Remember to goal for his or her eyes.
Mountain lions prefer to go for both the neck or the top.
So do your greatest to make sure that you stay upright and hold these important areas away from the animal.
How to Keep Mountain Lions Away From You and Your Campsite
When tenting in an space that will have mountain lions, it’s best to take precautions to make sure that you aren’t inadvertently attracting them to you.
Make your presence recognized
Send a message to any wildlife within the space that you’re current by making noise.
Anything from speaking loudly to singing to easily carrying a bell round your neck will make your presence recognized to animals and hold them from eager to method you.
Avoid strolling or mountain climbing alone
Mountain lions usually tend to assault somebody who’s alone versus a whole group.
So, for the most secure mountain climbing and tenting experiences, go together with a bunch!
Watch kids intently
Keep an in depth eye on any kids that you’re mountain climbing or tenting with.
If they had been to assault, mountain lions could be extra more likely to go for a kid first as they’re simpler, smaller targets.
If out within the wilderness with a toddler, hold them shut by and don’t enable them to run forward or fall behind.
And particularly don’t allow them to wander away alone.
You might additionally educate them on the significance of security within the wilderness and the hazard of mountain lions earlier than you even arrange in your expedition.
Hike throughout sunlight hours
To guarantee that you’re much less more likely to encounter a mountain lion, hike in the course of the sunlight hours for greatest visibility and keep on trails which are already established.
Don’t forge your individual trail- you could find yourself someplace you shouldn’t be.
Watch for indicators of mountain lions
Remember to concentrate on your environment in an effort to choose up on any indicators that mountain lions have been within the space.
Things like claw marks, scat, and scratch piles fabricated from leaves, filth, pine needles, and grass would all be indicators {that a} mountain lion frequents the world.
Also, should you come throughout a mountain lion cub, go forward and go away the world.
Like many different wild animals, mountain lions are fiercely protecting of their younger and in the event that they sense a risk to them, they gained’t hesitate to assault.
Select a campsite away from thick brush
Avoid tenting in areas that mountain lions like. This contains animal trails, cliffs, rock over-hands, and areas with thick brush.
Avoid taking pets
Pets make straightforward prey for mountain lions and would possibly even entice them. For you and your pet’s security, go away them behind if attainable.
Do not go away pets or pet meals outdoors
If you do should take your pet with you, don’t go away them alone or unattended, particularly if they’re outdoors your tent.
Just like kids, they need to by no means wander away on their very own, both. This might entice a mountain lion proper to you.
In the identical vein, don’t go away any pet meals, or human meals for that matter, outdoors your campsite the place a mountain lion would possibly get a whiff of it.
FAQs
How do you scare off a mountain lion?
If you encounter a mountain lion, one of the simplest ways to scare it off is to make your self greater than you might be and get loud.
Open up your jacket, wave your arms within the air, get loud, and even throw objects, comparable to a water bottle, at it.
However, don’t crouch down or get low to scoop up gadgets to throw at it as they might see you as conquerable prey this fashion.
Does pepper spray work on mountain lions?
Yes, pepper spray works on mountain lions! In truth, pepper spray could be efficient towards any dwelling animal with eyes and noses.
Just like bear spray, pepper spray will irritate a mountain lion’s delicate nostril and eyes, and it’ll trigger a mountain lion to need to retreat.
How do you reply to a mountain lion?
If you come throughout a mountain lion, don’t run away! Mountain lions might see you as prey and need to chase you should you flip round and run. Instead, maintain your jacket open and wave your arms.
You might even yell at it and throw something you might be carrying in your palms. No matter what you do, make certain to not get low to the bottom and by no means flip your again on it.
How usually do mountain lions assault people?
Mountain lion assaults on people are extraordinarily uncommon. In truth, there have been solely 100 mountain lion assaults since 1890 and of these 100, solely 3 of them had been deadly.
Mountain lions don’t think about people prey and can solely assault in the event that they or their cubs really feel threatened.
To Sum Things Up
When tenting or mountain climbing, it’s best to remain conscious of your environment always.
Even although mountain lions don’t readily assault people, the likelihood nonetheless stays in the event that they really feel threatened.
To guarantee your security on any stint within the wilderness, keep away from areas that mountain lions frequent and ensure to not entice them to you.
And if do in reality end up within the midst of a cougar that appears able to assault, now you already know the reply to your query, “Does bear spray work on cougars?” It does! And you shouldn’t hesitate to make use of it if they begin charging you.
But, on the finish of the day, the possibilities are slim that you’ll be attacked by a mountain lion and even spot one in your tenting journey. So now you’ll be able to relaxation straightforward and luxuriate in your tenting journey!