7. You are now about to square off with a quick and deadly predator in its own habitat. Regardless of why the cougar attacked, the fact is, such attacks are extremely rare and aren’t much of a concern for the average outdoor-enthusiast. In the states of WA, OR and ID, there have only been 3 human deaths due to cougars in recorded history. Cougars attacks in tents are very rare. What to Do in a Cougar Encounter. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared to act and react accordingly should you find yourself in a similar situation Sederbaum and Brooks faced. Remove the safety tag. Continue spraying until the mountain lion leaves or changes direction. Cougar attacks are rare, but it pays to play defensively in mountain lion territory. Once a lion has decided to attack, they have already decided that the gain of … You are past that. If a cougar attacks: Fight back. Surviving a Cougar Attack. When you’re out strolling in the woods, there’s no way for you to defend yourself from a mountain lion using an air rifle. It’s smaller yet you can move quicker and a stronger caliber to defend yourself against a mountain lion. While the internet has shown us that cats are extremely funny, the real world has shown us that cougars just don't have a great sense of humour. It is now past the point of worrying what to do if a mountain lion is stalking. Not only does it take time to shoot, but it’s also not enough to stop a cougar from coming at you. If the cougar appears aggressive and moves toward you, shout and throw things to try to make the cougar realize you’re a potential danger. Aim at the cougar’s face and keep in mind the direction of the wind. In fact their attack patterns are extremely consistent. Id yell kick and scream and then I’d wake up from the dream I’m clearly having. Try to stay on your feet and be aggressive. Use whatever you can to beat back the cougar, such as sticks, rocks, water bottles, backpacks and your bare hands. Here, we provide some tips on how to avoid these encounters and what to do in the rare event of an attack. Just you try putting a wig on one. Kick, Gouge its eyes, Hit it in the face, and do anything you can to make the lion rethink its attack. Use a handgun. Cougar attacks on humans are VERY rare. While that sounds utterly scary and you are probably shaking with fear and terror, keep in mind that the only way to get out safely is to stay calm. Since then, state authorities have recorded 19 other attacks on humans, including a second fatal attack in 2018. Do not freak out or make rapid movements or attempt to run away, because it will only worsen the situation and you will risk encouraging the mountain lion to chase you. In Washington state, the first fatal cougar attack on a human was reported in 1924. 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