Wilderness Ghost...the Cougar

The Cougar is very close related to the Bobcat, they stalk very low to the ground, are deadly quit, pounce from behind, and aware of all about them. There are probably a thousand Bobcats for every Cougar in Michigan, who knows? So if you never see a bobcat, what are the odds of seeing a Cougar. You will never see one, they are very secretive, but if you do...you will never forget it. Can you imagine! Looking at this picture of a U.P.Michigan Cougar in stalking posture, head slung low, will give anyone goose bumps. The Cougar or Puma or Mountain Lion is an ambush predator.

Ambush predator...a technique Michigan Sportsmen are not familiar with. The only time I have been attacked was by a Badger. Thanks to his very short legs I could outdistance him in my waders, running backwards.  The ambush was my fault. While fly fishing I unknowingly  passed to close to his den.

Cougars will pounce when you least expect it. That's the plan, all on their terms. He goes for the neck or head from behind. The puma weights between 90-120 pounds as a full grown adult. If ever attacked  fight with everything you have , you can get away. A Cougar that feels he has lost the ambush advantage will retreat. If you have eye contact before an attack, the odds are in your favor. Yell, use a club, or bark like a dog..they fear dogs. Never turn your back and run. If with children, grab and hold them so they don't run and trigger an attack. I have seen crows attack and chase off eagles, raccoons chase coyotes, big predators rarely stand and fight. (It works on bullies at the playground as well.) The exception is a mother and babies. Back up fast keeping eye contact.

My Sister from Spearfish, South Dakota, lives in a canyon near the town and cougars are a problem. This time of the year last seasons young are on their own seeking new territories. They slink into town in search of food in the form of family pets. It is one of the few places I know we're a hand gun is carried when you walk the dog! Like always, old rogue cougars don't follow the rules and are bold and unpredictable. They might just walk right at you. Fight them. Cougars eat meat, anything they can Catch.

My favorite mountain lion story...in a park near the edge of town a wedding reception was in full swing. The wedding party lined up for a photo shoot. Later when the pictures were being blown up for framing ...they noticed in a photo, a Cougar in the tree behind them watching!

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