It’s everybody’s worst nightmare: you’re having fun with a pleasant, quiet hike via the woods when immediately, you’re head to head with a mountain lion that would 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 might solely make issues worse.
Then, you keep in mind you will 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 spite of everything?
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 nearly at all times retreat shortly when the spray is inhaled.
Bear spray will defend you from quite a lot 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 truly 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 secret is to stay calm and comply with the under steps.
Grab Your Canister
Don’t panic. Remain calm and seize your bear spray canister slowly to stop any sudden actions or noise that may worsen the mountain lion into attacking faster.
Hold the Can Firmly
Nerves may 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 lined in bear spray your self, attempt to make certain 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, intention immediately for his or her eyes.
If they aren’t attacking you, the objective is to create a cloud of spray that they should stroll via, so intention downward a number of ft forward of them.
Spray for 1 to 2 Seconds
Remember that you just solely have 4-9 seconds whole of bear spray discharge, so attempt to use it sparingly and spray for only one to 2 seconds at a time.
Read: How Fast Can A Bear Run?
Do Mountain Lions Attack Humans?
The quick 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 actively fear about.
However, mountain lions are beginning to pop up in locations they beforehand hadn’t inhabited.
Thanks to laws in opposition to searching mountain lions and cougars, their inhabitants is rising and their habitats are increasing, which might 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 probability of getting mauled by a bear.
That’s a lot lower than the probabilities of dying in a automobile accident.
And contemplating there have solely been 19 mountain lion assaults up to now 36 years, the probabilities of getting attacked by a mountain lion are simply as slim.
The probability 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 stay 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 once discovered throughout all the United States.
But as their inhabitants decreased over the many years due to 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 stay in quite a lot of locals, from sea degree 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, might be discovered and locations they’ll discover plentiful shelter.
Preventing a Mountain Lion Attack
Mountain lions attacking people could not occur repeatedly, however it’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 can be good to go.
And when 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 outfitted 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 bushes and contemporary 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 prone to assault a gaggle versus a single hiker.
If you come throughout cougar cubs or see indicators of them, it’s finest to go away 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 via nature.
But getting loud in your hike may deter any wild animals from approaching you and even persuade them to go in one other course on the off probability that they’re about to cross your path.
If you do come upon a mountain lion in individual, don’t panic.
You’ll need to seem larger 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 depart, or acknowledge you as a human, and never prey, and change into disinterested.
Remember Not to Run
Running might 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 course would make them pounce.
It’s finest 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 situation 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 when you come face-to-face with a mountain lion.
Running might encourage them to chase after and assault you. Instead, maintain your floor and arise tall.
And it doesn’t matter what, don’t crouch or get down low. You will seem like four-legged prey to them when you do that.
Staying upright on two legs as a substitute of 4 will present the mountain lion that you’re not their ordinary prey- which is an effective factor!
Look and Act Intimidating
If the mountain lion is appearing aggressively, you have to do one thing to intimidate it and make it assume twice earlier than attacking you.
Make your self look larger 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 may get ahold of to battle off a mountain lion.
This contains sticks, rock, your naked palms, and, in fact, bear spray. Remember to intention for his or her eyes.
Mountain lions prefer to go for both the neck or the pinnacle.
So do your finest to make sure that you stay upright and maintain these very 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, you must 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 maintain them from eager to method you.
Avoid strolling or mountain climbing alone
Mountain lions usually tend to assault somebody who’s alone versus a complete group.
So, for the most secure mountain climbing and tenting experiences, go together with a gaggle!
Watch youngsters intently
Keep an in depth eye on any youngsters that you’re mountain climbing or tenting with.
If they have been to assault, mountain lions can be extra prone to go for a kid first as they’re simpler, smaller targets.
If out within the wilderness with a toddler, maintain them shut by and don’t enable them to run forward or fall behind.
And particularly don’t allow them to get lost 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 daylight
To guarantee that you’re much less prone to encounter a mountain lion, hike through the daylight for finest visibility and keep on trails which can be already established.
Don’t forge your personal trail- you could find yourself someplace you shouldn’t be.
Watch for indicators of mountain lions
Remember to concentrate on your environment so as to decide up on any indicators that mountain lions have been within the space.
Things like claw marks, scat, and scratch piles product of leaves, dust, pine needles, and grass would all be indicators {that a} mountain lion frequents the world.
Also, when you come throughout a mountain lion cub, go forward and depart 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 may even entice them. For you and your pet’s security, depart them behind if doable.
Do not depart pets or pet meals exterior
If you do should take your pet with you, don’t depart them alone or unattended, particularly if they’re exterior your tent.
Just like youngsters, they need to by no means get lost on their very own, both. This might entice a mountain lion proper to you.
In the identical vein, don’t depart any pet meals, or human meals for that matter, exterior your campsite the place a mountain lion may 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 larger 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 objects 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 reality, pepper spray can be efficient in opposition to 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 when 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 typically do mountain lions assault people?
Mountain lion assaults on people are extraordinarily uncommon. In reality, there have been solely 100 mountain lion assaults since 1890 and of these 100, solely 3 of them have been deadly.
Mountain lions don’t contemplate 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 chance 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 actual fact 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 probabilities are slim that you can 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!