hiking in the dark to hunting spot

[velvetfvr]

Most all cougar attacks are when the person is acting like prey thus triggering an attack. Almost all attacks are against trail runners and mountain bikers. I don't think I've ever heard of an attack on backpackers?? I've seen enough sign and been followed enough times to know I've probably been watched at least 100 times. They've always left me alone so I don't really worry about them. In fact I've never seen one even the time I got hissed at.

If one ever does bother me then I'll fight like hell with whatever weapon is at hand.

I know they have followed me and watched me several times. You get that feeling. Too me, a pistol would give me the piece of mind that just makes it easier. In reality, if a cat wanted to take me down or majority of people, it could probably easier then I like to think.

 

[AndyB]

Very rare for a cat to attack a human, even more rare for them to attack an adult male. 20 fatal cougar attacks in the US since 1890.

It's all about comfort level and familiarity I guess. .13 people per year die from cougar attacks, 35,000 die in automobile crashes. Should be much more concerned getting to your hunting area alive.

I wonder how many people drive cars in the US compared to frequent the wild places, maybe the difference ain't so great. Definitely more dangerous on the roads though.

 

[jmez]

Definately a difference in the # of participants and you would expect the auto numbers to be higher. Still a much higher percentatge that you will be damaged in a car accident. 35,000 per year vs 20 total since 1890.

For a little more equal comparison, you are 500 times more likely to die of lightning strike than being attacked by a mountain lion. That one actually probably has hunters in the high country where lions live in a higher risk category.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

The only thing that ever worries me at night is Griz... I really enjoy night travel, especially with snow on the ground and low cloud cover. Probably my favorite conditions for hiking!

 

[murf45]

I had zero concern until a mountain lion screamed 20 yards from my brother in law and I at 3:30 in the morning on our way to our tree stands.

Had this same thing happen to me. Scares the chit out of you when you can't see a damn thing and you know a cat has you in their sights. That roar stops you in your tracks and puts a few butterflies in your stomach.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Had this same thing happen to me. Scares the chit out of you when you can't see a damn thing and you know a cat has you in their sights. That roar stops you in your tracks and puts a few butterflies in your stomach.

Yep! If I were of any weaker constitution I would have crapped my pants.

 

[Beendare]

I enjoy hiking in the dark- especially before morning light. I don't do it on the Ak islands with brownies around but in the Rocky Mtns there is very little to be afraid of- not even rattlers warming themselves in the trial like here in the foothills of Ca. Best time to hear elk bugling in many pressured areas of the RM is before light.
And who can deny the excitement of being in your spot right as its getting light- seems a bit anti climactic once the sun is up.

Years of depredation hog hunting at night has made me really appreciate the dark- better than sweating it out in the hot sun.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Lions and tigers and bears.................oh my!

 

[Dinkshooter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NecK4MwOfeI

 

[Dinkshooter]

 

[orionsbrother]

I don't have history with grizzlies, so I would be at least a little more aware in grizzly country. I've had a grouse momentarily just about scare the crap out of me.

My fear or concern in the dark is taking a stick in the eye. Riding a mountain bike in once, in the dark, I almost took an eye out. Wear a pair of clear safety glasses.

 

[Shrek]

Kind of funny. There's more than a few who feel like me. Love to hike in the dark...unless it's grizzly country. . Just takes all the enjoyment out for me.
Coastalyeti , I know exactly how you felt that night. Way back in '91? I was hiking to my stand in the dark . As I crossed a dry creek on the road the night got super still and every hair stood up. I was in South Georgia and there was supposed to be absolutely nothing in the woods to worry about. Creeped me out , heart pounding and adrenaline pumping. About two days later right at dark I saw a big cat trotting up that creek from my stand. I got back to camp and was babbling on about this giant bobcat that had to have a five foot long body at least. They thought I was crazy. Right after the season I was watching the news and saw a report about male texas cougars the Florida game and fish had released and a map. One of the dots was right on top of my club. Deer hunting went to chit and we gave up the lease. A big cat will kill a lot of deer and even without any knowledge of him being there I instinctively knew.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Don't bears sleep at night?
For me it's those damned wolves that make my hair stand up.
That howl just makes my hair stand up every time I hear it.
Same with cougars, heard a very pissed off cougar once and man I would not like to have been any closer.

Honestly I think it's in our DNA to fear these sounds, probably goes back to the days of Dires & Sabers, when we ran around with sharp sticks and stone axes. Sure glad I'm at the top of the food chain now, but I still have respect for them.

This past late season elk, I was walking back 3miles to camp almost every night.
One night I decided to stop over at a neighboring camp, well one drink lead to another
and it got pretty late. Snow was falling anyway so figured I'd just have another & wait it out.
Buy the time I left it was pitch black, 3" fresh snow, on top of 12" old, and still falling.
Got about 2m from my camp and saw freshly laid wolf tracks in my snow path.
I mean like JUST LAID DOWN! Man I gotta tell ya, I was panning that headlamp and swing'n that rifle back & forth all the way back to camp. Never did see or hear it them night, but I just knew they were watching me the whole time... licking their chops and thinking to themselves, "man that's a plump one".
Damn I hate those things! Natural born killers that just love a good chase.
Hunt'nFish

 

[chindits]

Nothing to fear on the CO West Slope. With some common sense and terrain association this area is easy to navigate at night even with limited visibility. I never pack in the backcountry, but I have discharged my off duty gun when solo car camping to deter a couple mex's from rolling me.

 

[Dinkshooter]

A fear of wolves in the dark is about as rational as a fear that a dead satellite will land on your house.