Quick background: We have a cougar in the area that is killing people's dogs right on their porches. Big dogs. The killings were either witnessed by the owner or caught on the owner's surveillance video. My neighbor's dog was the first victim, a few others in another neighborhood about a half mile away were next, and now the cat has came back to my neighborhood several times since this began a couple weeks ago. Besides the several dogs that have been killed, there are of course also the deer and other animals whose bodies I've encountered while out hiking. There are always bears and cougars here where I live, work, and hike... it's just part of life here. This is why I bought a carry gun for hiking.
Well, I finally ran into the cougar on yesterday's hike. We had reached the turn-around point in our hike, and as we began to walk back the way we'd come, I took a final glance behind us as a precaution (I constantly scan for signs of cougar or bear)... which is when I saw that we weren't alone. It came up behind us from off the trail, crossed to the other side, and while staying just inside the cover of trees and bushes it stalked my hiking partner and I for quite a distance before finally leaving us alone in the darkness. I could hear the occasional branch break as it was stepped on, which helped me track it whenever I couldn't see it. I didn't have to draw my CM9 (hand was on it, though), but I sure was glad I had it just in case!! I kept my eyes and ears peeled for any sign that it was still with us, but it didn't stay with us for the rest of the return trip home.
The unfortunate thing about hiking at this time of the year is that it's sunset when I get off work, and full dark during my entire hike. Prime cat hunting time. No way around this. And they also roam my own neighborhood anyway, so no point in hiding indoors every day.
Well, I finally ran into the cougar on yesterday's hike. We had reached the turn-around point in our hike, and as we began to walk back the way we'd come, I took a final glance behind us as a precaution (I constantly scan for signs of cougar or bear)... which is when I saw that we weren't alone. It came up behind us from off the trail, crossed to the other side, and while staying just inside the cover of trees and bushes it stalked my hiking partner and I for quite a distance before finally leaving us alone in the darkness. I could hear the occasional branch break as it was stepped on, which helped me track it whenever I couldn't see it. I didn't have to draw my CM9 (hand was on it, though), but I sure was glad I had it just in case!! I kept my eyes and ears peeled for any sign that it was still with us, but it didn't stay with us for the rest of the return trip home.
The unfortunate thing about hiking at this time of the year is that it's sunset when I get off work, and full dark during my entire hike. Prime cat hunting time. No way around this. And they also roam my own neighborhood anyway, so no point in hiding indoors every day.
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