Mountain Lion Defense

S

scoid

Joined
Dec 3, 2002
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3
I need help determining what kind of knife to carry. I hike alone in an area that is overpopulated with cougar. I have decided a firearm would be too cumbersome for self defense from a puma as the animal will most likely be on your back before you are aware of his presence if his intent is to kill. I believe a knife would be better suited for self defense in this instance. What I would like to know is, what kind of blade, blade length, handle, specific manufacturers recomended, etc. Also, if anyone has any knowledge of self defense situations involving knives against wild animals your experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
 
If your preference is for knives, I would check out Cold Steel and Ontario knives first. Plenty of short and long edged weapons. If price is of no object, then I would see what the other esteemed members could recommend.

Personally, I would go for a firearm or bear spray myself but that is just me.

If the animal was on your back before you knew it, unless the weapon is in your hand at all times then it wouldn't matter, anyway, would it?

Just my 2 cents.
 
try a few things first...

can't you bring a friend?
why don't you bring a firearm, and if you can bring a friend, have him/her bring one as well.

Any good, long knife or machete will do. As a matter of fact, some guy defended himself against a cougar with a slipjoint pocketknife not too long ago. You must note though, that the cougar did kick the sh*t outa him.

You could look into a spear...but before you laugh, think of a hiking staff with one of those Cold Steel Spear heads, but the best bet is to bring a friend and a coupla guns.
 
I think any knife with a sharp enough edge to cut your own jugalar vein would probably due the trick. This would guarrantee that you would be dead when eaten.

Me? I lug a 1911A1 or a SW 4516.
 
My suggestions :

1 ) a revolver :D

2) a one piece metal axe (a light one)

3 ) 7 inches (minimum) blade bowie ...
 
I wouldn't say a blade length or even a blade shape.
I say first, know how they behave, and do things that would not make them come to you. Secondly, you need to know to how to kill it in order to use your blade for such defence against a cougar attack. What type of blade is much more so secondary. A guy at Port Alice, BC defended himself against a cougar with a Buck 110 look-alike, which has about 3" blade. He know what he was doing and came out on top, but definately seriously injured nevertheless.
I'd say a fix blade, worn on the person so that it's easily accessible even with a pack on. I think they have their "hunting hours" and try to stay away from those hours if you can.
 
calyth,

Do you think a person should concentrate on the eyes of the animal when attacking with a knife ?
 
A firearm too cumbersome for the purpose? I'd say any blade that would give you any realistic chance against such a predator would be as or more cumbersome than a quality firearm.

Knife VS Cougar = dead human. That old guy who beat the cougar with a knife was a fluke likely never to be repeated.
 
Big cats are ambush hunters, and if attacked by one, most likely the animals will be ON YOU before you see it. The cat will then likely bite into the prey's throat, closing the windpipe, suffocating the victim. If you can get a knife into action while this is going on, you may have a chance, but it will definitely be a BAD DAY! Take company, talk or whistle while walking, etc. and you will probably never see one, unless you run into a sick/wounded one, or surprise a female with cubs. We are not one of their normal prey species.
 
A revolver that you can put into action quick from a good combat type holster. Chances are the attack will be at contact distances before you know it, so you need to be able to press the muzzle into anywhere available and fire. A autoloader may jam in that situation if the slide cant move freely enough. The noise of the gun may also serve to startle the cat. The hot muzzle gases from a contact wound will help inflict addtional damage and pain. Most would agree, A knife is just as slow to draw as a gun, and probably slower in its effect. A good dog does not hurt either, along with a friend who also has a gun. Big knives and hawks are bulkier to carry as well. If you go with an auto, a glock 27 would be ideal. Otherwise a hammerless smith J-frame .357 would be my choice. I am afraid while a shorty .44 mag would be more effective it would get left at home most of the time. Its also slower to get into action from my action shooting experiences. Again these are my contact distances choices. Not what I would look for trouble with.
 
If you can reach for a knife, then you can reach for a handgun! Make it a rather large caliber handgun as well. Better yet, bring a friend with a really big gun! No I'm not kidding!
 
Ya' know...those Taurus Titanium .357 and .41 mags are lighter than alot of serious blades. But, guns aren't for everybody, so perhaps that's a moot point...

When it comes to choosing weapons for personal defense, I tend to believe that no blade is too big, and no firearm is too powerful.

That being said, I'd suggest a Spyderco Perrin, or Temperance. Ideally suited for fighting cougars? no, but no knife truly is. It will take good care of the random tasks that arise the other 99.999 percent of the time when you're not getting into knife fights with cougars. Also, both of those knives are well suited in the reverse grip, which is a pretty quick draw, and possibly preferrable if what other guys are saying about them being ambush jump on yer back kinda hunters is true. Uhmm.....not that I've ever been in a knife fight with an animal, but hypothetically.....

Regarding people who have had it out with the animal kingdom with bladed instruments, there's one main situation that comes to mind.

During the Iditarod one year one of the mushers came across a pissed off moose, and for some reason could not get to a firearm. Instead wound up killing the moose with a camp axe. Took a couple hours to do it though.

Also heard a less verified tale about a guy killing a grizzly with a Kabar. As I heard the tale told, he curled up in the ole earthquake position, and whenever he got a chance to he'd thrust or slash the grizzly, before it began mauling him again. Surprisingly the bruin ran outta blood first I guess. The first tale I heard on the evening news, the second one was just passed person to person, so it could be one of those "Alaska style Urban legends"
 
Originally posted by Credit Guy
calyth,

Do you think a person should concentrate on the eyes of the animal when attacking with a knife ?
Click to expand...
Um huh? What do you mean?
Well it was said that the victim of that attack said it himself that he regret going for the knife because he have to unfold it two handed and left his neck open for a moment. Of course, the cougar would seize that chance. Good thing he still came out ok.
 
Like some others have said hike/camp with a friend and find a good fairly lightweight revolver. I recommend an S&W Model 66 w/ four-inch barrel.
 
man dont use a pissy little gun, take him out in style!:D

desert eagle .50 cal baby, or ya know what, just go crazy and buy a little uzi
 
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