Mountain Lion attack

steelscout30 said:
The rangers recommended using blunt force---an object like a baseball bat (some of them carried aluminum ball bats strapped to their pack frames) or a sturdy hiking stick as the best method of stopping an attack in progress. They are scared by blunt force because it is not a sensation they habitually deal with.
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I've seen an enraged cat shrug off solid blows from a heavy staff as well as being beaten on with fists and kicks. Cattle prod had zero effect as well. What finally drove him off was a fire extinguisher. This was a 120lb cougar and I've seen them as big as 180lb. I do not believe the average man is in the same strength class as a cougar. They can leap 20-30 feet straight up and are very fast. I have thrown a 120lb+ cougar and he was back on me in just a fraction of a second. Fortunately he was just playing and not serious about hurting me. Sadly, we just put him down yesterday as he apparently had developed a brain tumor. I've had the pleasure of wrestling with two cougars and I have no doubt if they really wanted to they could have done what they wanted with me and they didn't have claws. I want no part of a cat with claws over 5lbs.

Here's some pics of Apache. RIP

Apache_Stare.jpg


IMG_3212cc.jpg


IMG_3192_CC.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
You just need to wear one of these at all times. :D

ph-0.jpg
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:thumbup: While not quite the same thing, I wonder if it would be a good idea to carry a full-size, full frame backpack even on shorter hikes when in mountain lion territory for the protection to the back of your neck? Maybe overkill for a dayhike, but if it's a viable threat in the area you're in, I would think that a mouthfull of aluminum/alloy frame could be the delay you need during an attack?
 
Cats all seem to attack from behind, including tigers. I do as the people in India - get a "Sir Lawrence of Arabia" type hat that has a long neck covering. Have a good artist draw a bold face with big eyes on it, so when the cat approaches from behind, he thinks you're looking at him. Supposedly it works, sure can't hurt.
 
TedDCA, Sorry for the loss of your friend Apache, beautiful looking animal. I agree completely with your post, that it's the cougar's game once it's upon you if it decides you're 'it'. Having had some personal time with a few cougars during research work you realize the muscularity and power these Big cats possess, not to mention the 'weaponary' at their disposal. Practicing normal SA when you are in Big Cat or bear country should keep you off the menu IME.
 
Ted, sorry about Apache.

Seeing as we've gotten a bit off topic, I'll take the opportunity to recommend a great new show on either nat g or animal planet- "I was bitten"

Any knife recommendations other than the Temperance and the Rat-6?

Thanks,

paul
 
Landar15 said:
:thumbup: While not quite the same thing, I wonder if it would be a good idea to carry a full-size, full frame backpack even on shorter hikes when in mountain lion territory for the protection to the back of your neck? Maybe overkill for a dayhike, but if it's a viable threat in the area you're in, I would think that a mouthfull of aluminum/alloy frame could be the delay you need during an attack?
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sodak said:
Cats all seem to attack from behind, including tigers. I do as the people in India - get a "Sir Lawrence of Arabia" type hat that has a long neck covering. Have a good artist draw a bold face with big eyes on it, so when the cat approaches from behind, he thinks you're looking at him. Supposedly it works, sure can't hurt.
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I think both are good ideas. It's much better to have a backpack between you and something trying to attack you from behind than to have nothing... And a backpack also makes you look a lot bigger, which is a good thing with respect to predatory animals who don't like their prey to be too big and strong. The "face hat" thing may sound silly, but I can see how it might work.

As far as knives are concerned, though, the problem is that you don't usually see these cats coming. And if you do see them, they will probably abort and look for a less alert menu. But if a cougar were to attack me from the front, from a distance, I sure would like a spear. Or a longsword. :D If they're coming from behind, a straight bladed knife that has very good penetration in stabs would be preferable. And I'd want it at least six inches long of blade. The M.95 Sissipuukko that I often carry wouldn't be a bad choice. It has a narrow blade with very good penetration, and it sure is fast.
 
BC is well known for its cougar attacks in the past few years, notably a logger cycling home that was attacked. A passing motorist came up on the attack and stabbed the cougar with a SAK blade and killed it.

others have fought back with a knife and done very well

I was trailed by a MommaPuss late one night while walking a graveled trail (NorVan Falls trail) on the North Shore. I have a habit of constantly checking my six and sweeping my light behind me at night. Caught two glowing green/yellow orbs in the light about 100 feet back, checked again 5 seconds later and they were 15 feet back. I had one of my uber thick oak staffs with me and a large 15" bladed bowie . I kept Mommapuss in the light and made noise , smashed brush with the hiking staff and ran towards her bellowing. Puss took off down the trail at about a 100km/h and disappeared into the dark. Guess she decided i was'nt worth eating.

EDIT: someone mentioned drawing eyes on their hats, on the back. If you take two pieces of reflective SOLAS tape and stitch "cats eyes" onto the back of your hat, not only will you be visible in hikers headlamps or lights, but it will reflect moonlight and low ambient light and look like, cats eyes.
 
Indians wear masks on the back of their heads hoping to dissuade Tiger attacks.

Again, I'm not that worried about attack, just looking for an excuse for the biggest practical knife if you find a large cat on your back.

Thanks,

p
 
tedwca said:
I've seen an enraged cat shrug off solid blows from a heavy staff as well as being beaten on with fists and kicks. Cattle prod had zero effect as well. What finally drove him off was a fire extinguisher. This was a 120lb cougar and I've seen them as big as 180lb. I do not believe the average man is in the same strength class as a cougar. They can leap 20-30 feet straight up and are very fast. I have thrown a 120lb+ cougar and he was back on me in just a fraction of a second. Fortunately he was just playing and not serious about hurting me. Sadly, we just put him down yesterday as he apparently had developed a brain tumor. I've had the pleasure of wrestling with two cougars and I have no doubt if they really wanted to they could have done what they wanted with me and they didn't have claws. I want no part of a cat with claws over 5lbs.

Here's some pics of Apache. RIP

Apache_Stare.jpg


IMG_3212cc.jpg


IMG_3192_CC.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics & the stories:thumbup:

What a beautiful cat!May he rest in peace.
 
cash2006 said:
Ted, sorry about Apache.

Seeing as we've gotten a bit off topic, I'll take the opportunity to recommend a great new show on either nat g or animal planet- "I was bitten"

Any knife recommendations other than the Temperance and the Rat-6?

Thanks,

paul
Click to expand...

As has been mentioned, a long stabbing blade is going to be the most useful with a cat on your back. Maybe the Cold Steel OSS subhilt figher. CS boarhunter might also be a good choice. Perhaps something larger more like a Scottish dirk.

Actually this might be the perfect use for the WASP knife. I never thought I would recommend it for anything, but if I've got a big cat on me and I can only have a knife, that is the knife I would want to reach for.
 
why is a rat 6 $25 more expensive than the ontario 6. The knives seem exactly the same except for the sheath.

Thanks
 
^ i do beive the RATS are made in the USA and the Ontarios are made in china. The Rat guys will be able to tell you more.
 
Ontarios are made in the U.S., the folders are from overseas.

The fit and finish on the RC line are better, as well as the grinds and coating; not to mention a bomb proof warrantee!

The caliber of the people at Rat Cutlery are alot higher than Ontario as well.
 
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