Survive a Cougar Encounter

Question:

Can you advise on how to deal with a cougar encounter?

Submitted by – -Deb, Omaha, NE

Answer:

Here’s the basic cougar encounter plan:

Don’t run!

Face the cougar and maintain eye contact with it. Keep a group close together, and pick up small kids. Make yourself look as big as possible.

Ready a weapon, such as a stick or rock.

If the cougar approaches:

Throw things. Show your teeth. Yell, shout, scream (which often comes naturally).

If the cougar crouches, pumps its back legs:

Strike preemptively. Run at the cougar, strike at the face, but stay out of claw range. Keep doing all the other stuff, too.

If it attacks:

Fight for your life!