Sniffing California Hiking Trails for the Scent of Mountain Lions
Photo credit: WildPhotons
Are California hiking trails teeming with mountain lions?
The weather is finally cooling down to acceptable levels in Southern California’s wine country. That means, instead of staying indoors running the air-conditioner and writing angry letters to The Cartoon Channel protesting their ever-increasing lineup of Japanimation, I can actually go outside and frolic with nature.
Hiking the hills surrounding my house is how I like to express this frolicking. Out on the trail I’ve seen deer, bobcats, coyotes, fox, squirrels, rabbits, tarantulas, lizards, snakes, frogs, fancy-style woodpeckers and a cornucopia of very interesting, but often bloodthirsty insects.
We also have mountain lions. Although I have never seen one myself, I know that they’re out there because there is an alarming sign at the trailhead warning of the extreme mauling you could experience if you were to ignore the correct procedures for dealing with mountain lion encounters.
For instance, the sign lists ideas like, “Do not panic.” See, that’s just the OPPOSITE strategy I would have tried. Another one that, to me, seems counterintuitive is “Do not run.” But, the sign also says that if you confront a mountain lion you should “remain in an upright position,” and, I have to admit, I probably would have gotten that one right.
The most frightening piece of information of all, though, is at the very bottom of the sign where it says, “If the lion attacks, fight back!”
Ya think? The only other option I can think of is to stand there and let it eat you.
How would one go about fighting a mountain lion anyway? Pull its whiskers? I saw a cartoon once where a mouse stretched-out a lion’s whiskers and played them like guitar strings. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure a stunt like that would not only increase the intensity of the attack, but also do very little to protect your face from being clawed off and handed back to you in a kitty-bag.
In reality, mountain lions are extremely elusive and typically avoid people. Since 1890 there have only been 16 verified mountain lion attacks in California. Although estimates put the mountain lion population in California between 4,000 and 6,000 statewide, they are rarely seen, especially out on the hiking trails where people are.
So, I’m going to start my daily hikes again and not worry about coming face to face with a mountain lion. Besides, I’ve had to defend myself against nature before, like the time I toiled with the majestic mosquito…
Comments
Comment from Lidian
Time: October 23, 2008, 6:28 am
I would give a lot to see a trail sign that DID say “In case of [frightening animal here] attack - panic! That’s all the advice we’ve got!”
Comment from Tiggy
Time: October 23, 2008, 8:25 am
The sign should say “In the event of attack, hit with sign”.
William McCamment reply on October 23rd, 2008 9:32 am:
That may be the best advice of all! 
Comment from AngieSS
Time: October 23, 2008, 9:32 am
Why in the most dangerous of all situations do they always tell you “Don’t Panic” and “Don’t Run”?– as if those are viable options!! Well, if I could stop the flight response which is highly doubtful and fight, I’d probably just try the Three Stooges defense techniques. nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!
William McCamment reply on October 23rd, 2008 10:17 am:
If nothing else, maybe the Three Stooges Defense will catch the lion in an uncontrollable fit of laughter where you could sneak-in a devastating head-butt!
Comment from Jenn
Time: October 23, 2008, 11:02 am
While Doug Adams proved “Don’t Panic” to be comforting in a your-planet’s-blown-up situation, somehow I think it might not be as effective when a giant kitty is using you for a chew toy.
Giant kitties like roosters, don’t they?…
William McCamment reply on October 23rd, 2008 11:26 am:
I don’t know how they reel about me, but I love cats–even giant ones. Believe it or not, my step-dad used to have a pet mountain lion. He said when it went into heat it was a real nuisance.
Comment from Dwayne
Time: October 24, 2008, 7:12 am
That is where pepper spray comes in handy. If the big cat doesn’t eat you first.
William McCamment reply on October 24th, 2008 9:06 am:
That’s a pretty good idea. Up until you mentioned that, I’d probably just take a camera with me so I could take pictures of my horrible death.
Comment from Perky
Time: October 24, 2008, 7:56 am
I think for safety reasons, not coz you need the company, you should bring someone along when going hiking. Preferably someone who isn’t much of a runner. That way, should you come face to face with a mountain lion, you could at least outrun the other guy to safety 
William McCamment reply on October 24th, 2008 9:07 am:
The trouble is finding someone I could outrun.
Comment from Daisy the Curly Cat
Time: October 24, 2008, 8:55 am
Maybe, if you see a mountain lion, you could give it some catnip. That always distracts me. I do not know how much you would need for a big cat like that though. Maybe 29 pounds or so would work.
William McCamment reply on October 24th, 2008 9:08 am:
My body running away = catnip.
Comment from jodapoet
Time: October 25, 2008, 5:28 pm
Pretty scary. They’ve been seen up here in Northern California as well. In Marin and in San Mateo so they do get around. I think I’ll stick to the streets
William McCamment reply on October 26th, 2008 6:40 pm:
As I mention in my article, mountain lions rarely attach humans; however, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t keep my eyes open for one lurking in the bushes.
Comment from Cindy
Time: October 25, 2008, 6:10 pm
I walked into the State land the other afternoon to take a few pictures and heard something rustling over in the trees. I didn’t need a sign to warn me of a cougar- I just hustled back to my car, sure there was one right behind me the whole way. We have seen them around here. Last summer one of my daughters saw a black one in the State Land near Centerville.
I read and greatly enjoyed a couple of your other posts. I am adding you to my Friends page and going to remind myself to come back for sure.
William McCamment reply on October 26th, 2008 6:41 pm:
Wow! I didn’t know mountain lions came in black–very cool!
Thanks for the add!
Comment from Wayne John
Time: October 26, 2008, 3:30 pm
Here kitty kitty kitty….
Maybe you could threaten one with a Flowbee? That couldn’t feel good on a tail…
William McCamment reply on October 26th, 2008 6:45 pm:
Great idea Wayne! LOL But, to carry my Flowbee with me would mean I would also have to carry my upright vacuum cleaner too!
Comment from Adam
Time: November 4, 2008, 6:47 am
Congratulations, this is now officially the funniest blog on the internet!
I often read it laughing so loud my cat stares at me to find out if something is wrong before promptly falling back to sleep
William McCamment reply on November 4th, 2008 10:57 am:
Thanks, Adam!
My cats stare at me while I’m writing it! LOL
Comment from Doug
Time: November 7, 2008, 10:36 am
A few years ago a mountain lion tried to snatch a six-year-old boy during a hike outing with several other children, along with their 16-year-old “camp counselor.” The 16-year-old boy took his responsibilities seriously and he successfully fought off the mountain lion by kicking it several times and yelling loudly. The lion dropped the little boy and ran away. True hero and much bravery for a 16-year-old. (Montana)
Comment from Paula Chappell
Time: November 16, 2008, 8:41 am
You’ve got me laughing, first thing on another beautiful, southern CA early morning!
‘tanks.
PK
Comment from Dawn Maywald
Time: November 23, 2008, 10:17 pm
Just came across your article and it had me laughing. I, too, feel that I could not resist running…even if I outran him, he could probably track me down by the scent of poo coming from my hiking shorts! Great! Then, most likely, I would have also attracted the bears!
William McCamment reply on November 24th, 2008 5:46 am:
Haha! That’s pretty funny! Leaving a trail on the trail–so to speak…
William McCamment reply on October 23rd, 2008 9:31 am:
LOL I defy ANYONE to remain calm when being attacked by a mountain lion.
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