Self Defense - Mountain Lion

[Urban Achiever]

Mountain Lions are ambush predators. Most of the attack reports that I have read, the person was walking along and then bam!! the thing is clawing at their back and trying to bite their neck. If you are really concerned, a large knife easily accessed would probably make a better defensive weapon than a pistol for close contact.

[SWalt]

Mountain lions and humans can coexist. I live in Stockton. I know from a wildlife researcher who has been studying mountain lions that their is one that has been using one of small rivers as a pathway between the foothills and delta. It does spend significant time in the middle of Stockton and the residents are not aware of it. It has never harmed a person. The pathway it uses has a bikepath and jogging path along it for several miles.

So if mountain lions really went after children and other people, this one would have killed several in the past 5 or so years that it has been passing through and spending some time during its travels.

You have more to worry from the raccoons and oppossums that roam the streets at night that are more likely to bit you giving you a nasty infection.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/mountain-lion-attacks-drags-year-bushes-25347091

[Urban Achiever]

As an avid trail runner who gets waaaaay back in the hills & known big cat territory, I like to have something and about the only thing I can carry is a knife. So on my hydration pack, at my shoulder, I carry a punch knife as punching an animal seems more reasonable than trying to slash or cut with a normal knife like you would a person since I'd be on the ground. Easier to hold onto and every punch is a deep cut. I expect to loose in the end, but it's about the best option I think.

That would work well. Cold Steel makes some big, nasty push daggers.

[glock_this]

I think its the only reasonable knife choice since you'd be on the ground but can likely punch from that position so... its my defense weapon of choice for deep trail runs.

[drclark]

I read something about natives that live in puma/jaguar territory will wear a mask that has a face on the back of their head... cats like to attack from behind so having "eyes" on the back of your head may deter them...

Don't hike alone or get separated from your group. I knew the girl that was attacked in oc years ago while mountain biking. Her friend saved her life by playing tug if war with the cat. Cat had the head, friend had her feet until other bikers showed up and threw rocks at the cat and scared it off. Same cat killed a guy on a bike riding alone that same day.

[Gonumber24]

You could wear a coyote vest.

[AceGirlsHusband]

What are the odds of even being attacked by a mountain lion

A lot better than winning Powerball. But people still play it. No, really: just wear a small tire around your neck and some backside body armor all the way down to your derrier.

[tanks]

Can't sell or possess any part of a mountain lion eh? What if you took it in another state? ...

Nope. Another retarded CA proposition, specifically prop. 117 prohibits it. But, the fight is going on still.

https://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/sci-challenges-california-mountain-lion-import-ban-in-federal-court/

Sometimes I get so frustrated with anti gun, anti hunting, cool aid drinking, Statist CA residents.

[ChuckDizzle]

My best advice to you would be to get some kind of pepper spray. In some studies chemical deterrents have shown to be more effective than firearms when you need to defend yourself from an aggressive animal.

You wont have to deal with the authorities for discharging a firearm, or possibly kill or maim an incredible animal. Be careful though, the Sabre Red level spray to be used against two legged predators is so strong it may permanently damage the more sensitive olfactory of wildlife. There are special blends sold for this purpose.

[Monster]

Move

[DennisCA]

if a mountain lion is planning on attacking you. you are not going to see it. if you do shoot one, you better be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was in self defence.

dont mess with them and they wont mess with you.

Years ago I was hiking alone in southern AZ (yes I know it was dumb doing that; my normal hiking buddy could make it [he had to work] - decided to go along). I was walking a fire-break (I was making plenty of noise - wasn't trying to (I was making plenty of noise)) and when I crested a hill about about 75-100 yards down the road was a mountain lion!
It looked to be a young mountain lion and I am not sure who was most surprised: me or the lion.
After a few seconds of staring at each other, I very-very-very slowing drew my .357 Ruger Blackhawk and slowly backed away (I'm sure me standing uphill from the cat made me looked bigger than I what was really)
I didn't stick around - just kept backing up with my gun up, for a long-long way. The funny thing is the cat never made a sound; didn't hiss or snarl.
I consider myself very lucky - and yes I never hiked (in that area) alone again!

[CSACANNONEER]

Years ago I was hiking alone in southern AZ (yes I know it was dumb doing that; my normal hiking buddy could make it [he had to work] - decided to go along). I was walking a fire-break (I was making plenty of noise - wasn't trying to (I was making plenty of noise)) and when I crested a hill about about 75-100 yards down the road was a mountain lion!
It looked to be a young mountain lion and I am not sure who was most surprised: me or the lion.
After a few seconds of staring at each other, I very-very-very slowing drew my .357 Ruger Blackhawk and slowly backed away (I'm sure me standing uphill from the cat made me looked bigger than I what was really)
I didn't stick around - just kept backing up with my gun up, for a long-long way. The funny thing is the cat never made a sound; didn't hiss or snarl.
I consider myself very lucky - and yes I never hiked (in that area) alone again!

A cat is not going to attack you from the front unless it feels threatened, you are between a mom and cubs or, it can tell that you are weak or injured. If a cat jumps you from behind, use whatever you can ( a thumb, stick, pen, etc.) to attack it's eyes.

[IVC]

As an avid trail runner who gets waaaaay back in the hills & known big cat territory, I like to have something and about the only thing I can carry is a knife.

That would work well. Cold Steel makes some big, nasty push daggers.

Just be aware that once you don't have a folder (or you have a folder in open position) all the dirk/dagger/knife laws apply and they tend to be quite illogical at times, even more than firearm laws.

On private property you are *mostly* good to carry (OP's situation,) but be very careful about what constitutes "publicly accessible private property" as the laws there are that of a public property. Living in L.A. county you have very little wriggling room - they don't like any weapons and exemptions are tight.

[AnonUser]

Thanks for the replies. I do like the ideas given. I'll have to pick up a knife, pepper spray, and make sure I'm armed.

[IVC]

The funny thing is the cat never made a sound; didn't hiss or snarl.

Young mountain lions can be unpredictable - they are just learning the food chain hierarchy.