# Cougar tracks **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 10, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295 "2019-02-10T19:34:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/21 "2019-02-11T08:25:48Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Cougars are the scariest animal in these mountains IMHO. A sidearm would be a good choice if you don’t feel comfortable with your strangle-one-with-your-bare-hands skills. Not sure what your firearm-related experience is, but if you do choose to carry one, please take the time to become acquainted with its safe operation and proper care (and store it securely when you’re not using it). “Scariest animal” - are you kidding? Quick statistics on Wikipedia list 125 attacks (27 fatal) in 100 years in all of North America. I would worry about snakes or something (by that measure about 10000 times more dangerous). By the way, it’s probably not legal to shoot at the wildlife (certainly not in a park). ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/22 "2019-02-11T12:59:51Z")
Required reading, **The Track of the Cat**. Who’s hunting who? Never saw the movie, but the book SERIOUSLY creeped me out as a lad. By the same author as **The Ox-Bow Incident**. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/23 "2019-02-11T14:57:59Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > OP is pretty blase about moose. Yes and no. We have had a lot of them. None for a few months though. Just got to make sure that you have an escape route, and not get too close. [Here is the fellow I named Fredric. I was actually about 25 feet away on our deck when I snapped that picture.](https://s143.photobucket.com/user/enipla/media/Moose10.jpg.html) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/24 "2019-02-11T15:46:55Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > A runner was just attacked somewhere near Fort Collins. He survived. He strangled it. How he will ever sleep again I don’t know. I met a guy who was fly-fishing a local stream when he was attacked by a beaver. He managed to eventually get a good hold of it and hold it under water long enough for it to die, but he was bitten multiple times. Turns out it was rabid. I guess you do what you gotta do. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/25 "2019-02-11T16:41:01Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > “Scariest animal” - are you kidding? Quick statistics on Wikipedia list 125 attacks (27 fatal) in 100 years in all of North America. I would worry about snakes or something (by that measure about 10000 times more dangerous). By the way, it’s probably not legal to shoot at the wildlife (certainly not in a park). Did you read the part of the OP where he says he saw cougar tracks within a hundred yards of his house? He’s not talking about something with lightning strike odds; a carnivore that stalks and pounces is currently living, or recently passed by, his dwelling. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/26 "2019-02-11T16:43:37Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Cougars are the scariest animal in these mountains IMHO. A sidearm would be a good choice if you don’t feel comfortable with your strangle-one-with-your-bare-hands skills. Not sure what your firearm-related experience is, but if you do choose to carry one, please take the time to become acquainted with its safe operation and proper care (and store it securely when you’re not using it). You’re a fool if you think this. The only animal I’m afraid of in the mountains is homo sapiens. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/27 "2019-02-11T16:46:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > There’s rumors of one in my neck of the woods. I’ve never seen or heard it. The story is, it caterwauls at night. I’ve heard very strange sounds at night here but nothing that seems cat-ish. The way my pet cats own me I’m sure one would definitely eat me, without compunction. Mountain lion attacks are very very very rare. Animals don’t have compunction toward their prey so you are correct about that. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/28 "2019-02-11T16:47:54Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Did you read the part of the OP where he says he saw cougar tracks within a hundred yards of his house? He’s not talking about something with lightning strike odds; a carnivore that stalks and pounces is currently living, or recently passed by, his dwelling. See my previous post. It is still lightning strike odds. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/29 "2019-02-11T16:49:56Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Did you read the part of the OP where he says he saw cougar tracks within a hundred yards of his house? He’s not talking about something with lightning strike odds; a carnivore that stalks and pounces is currently living, or recently passed by, his dwelling. Still lightning strike odds. Do your homework and stop being all atavistic fear about a non-threat. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/30 "2019-02-11T16:58:57Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Still lightning strike odds. Do your homework and stop being all atavistic fear about a non-threat. Still not advisable to play golf during a thunderstorm, is it. I, for one, am going to definitely be more alert as I know there is a cougar about. I’d be a fool not to be. Sure, it could be miles away by now. Or it may be just behind my house. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/31 "2019-02-11T17:09:31Z")
I have been struck by lightning twice in my life. I do pay attention. Bawahahaha N/W Arkansas mini-mountains, many mama black bears with cubs. Those, snakes & brown recluse spiders are the scary ones for me. Have seen 4 mountain lions in N/E OK and N/W AR since 1959. Not close & not scary but I was not camping out either. Same time frame, hundred + black bears. Mama & Cubs = DANGER… Other states & countries = different dangerous critters. Oh, and some cows and bulls = danger that most don’t think about. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/32 "2019-02-11T17:23:33Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Still not advisable to play golf during a thunderstorm, is it. > > I, for one, am going to definitely be more alert as I know there is a cougar about. I’d be a fool not to be. > > Sure, it could be miles away by now. Or it may be just behind my house. A cougar will normally avoid humans; they know humans are dangerous. If lightning strikes, so to speak, by looking large and making noise you can intimidate them into running away. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/33 "2019-02-11T17:24:21Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I have been struck by lightning twice in my life. I do pay attention. Bawahahaha > > N/W Arkansas mini-mountains, many mama black bears with cubs. Those, snakes & brown recluse spiders are the scary ones for me. > > Have seen 4 mountain lions in N/E OK and N/W AR since 1959. Not close & not scary but I was not camping out either. > > Same time frame, hundred + black bears. Mama & Cubs = DANGER… > > Other states & countries = different dangerous critters. Oh, and some cows and bulls = danger that most don’t think about. Bulls, and momma cows with new calves, kill about 25 people a year in the US. Momma anything is good to stay well back from. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/34 "2019-02-11T17:25:01Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Still lightning strike odds. Do your homework and stop being all atavistic fear about a non-threat. Thanks for the sage advice. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/35 "2019-02-11T17:26:13Z")
The time I saw a mountain lion’s eyes in the dark (reflected my flashlight), I was chasing it off my property at 3 a.m. wearing nothing but a bathrobe and a pair of rubber boots. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/36 "2019-02-11T17:27:30Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > Thanks for the sage advice. It may be angrily given but it is still the right answer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/37 "2019-02-11T17:29:54Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Still not advisable to play golf during a thunderstorm, is it. > > I, for one, am going to definitely be more alert as I know there is a cougar about. I’d be a fool not to be. > > Sure, it could be miles away by now. Or it may be just behind my house. When I spotted the cougar that killed my llama (also 2 goats), it was shortly after I’d returned from town and after dark. I’d run the little dog outside for a quick pee. I usually put him on a leash after dark, but I was in a hurry after being out all day. We came back inside and flopped on the sofa for a 5-minute break before moving on to evening tasks. Something set off the motion sensor light about 3 minutes after our flop. I reflexively looked to see the deer/raccoon/skunk that had triggered the light. It was the cougar, strolling nonchalantly 20 feet from my house down the driveway, walking directly over the spot where my little dog had peed. I realized the cougar had been only a very short distance away while we were outside. Our area is lousy with cougars and while I don’t especially worry about being attacked, livestock and pets are also vulnerable. We have had cougar attacks on people around the area. Rare, but they do happen. One in Bend was just tracked and put down for being a potential threat to humans. Any predator that becomes habituated can present a threat. I think you are wise to be watchful. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/38 "2019-02-11T19:06:33Z")
If a cougar runs away, does it say, “Exit, stage left!”? ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/39 "2019-02-11T19:30:49Z")
Rural cougars aren’t generally all that dangerous; they can’t run very fast on rough terrain in those heels. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295/40 "2019-02-11T21:57:53Z")
I love me some Moose Tracks - vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups and a fudge ribbon! What are the ingredients in Cougar Tracks? Rocky road with C cups and a bathrobe sash? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougar-tracks/829295.md?page=3)