Lions in the Glen

Mountain Lions, Risk, and Responsibility in the Outdoors

By Jason Marsteiner – Owner/Founder The Survival University 

 www.thesurvivaluniversity.com

I'm not trying to scare people away from the outdoors. I actually want more people out there. We need nature. We need that connection. We need to step away from screens, stress, and constant distractions and remember what it feels like to be human again.

But wanting people outside also means being honest about how the outdoors actually works.

Wildlife encounters like this are rare, but they are not impossible. Mountain lions are not monsters and they are not out hunting people for sport. They are predators doing predator things in environments that are changing rapidly around them.

As more people move into remote and semi remote areas, wildlife gets pushed out of its traditional habitat. At the same time, prey animals get displaced or reduced, which forces predators to cover more ground and take more risks. Add to that animals becoming more accustomed to seeing humans, and encounters become more likely. Take in the reintroduction of a new apex predator, the wolf, and now the mountain lions have to compete for food.

That’s not political. That’s ecology.

I’ve been teaching survival professionally for about 15 years. When I started, maybe 10% of my students were women. Today, it’s closer to 50%. Women are getting outside more, building skills, and taking ownership of their time in the outdoors, and that’s a good thing.

I love seeing more women hiking, exploring, and getting into the back-country. That said, biology still matters. Mountain lions choose prey based on size, vulnerability, and opportunity. Smaller adults, kids, and pets can register differently to a predator than a large adult male moving confidently through terrain.

Man or woman, if you’re hiking with small dogs or kids, understand that you are not just responsible for yourself. You are responsible for managing how your presence looks to wildlife. Dogs can trigger chase responses. Children move and sound like prey. That doesn’t mean don’t go. In all means go prepared and alert.

Hiking alone is also fine. Many people do it safely all the time. But going alone means your margin for error is thinner. Preparation matters more, not less.

That preparation doesn’t necessarily mean carrying a gun. It means having something to protect yourself and being willing to use it if you have to. A solid walking stick or trekking poles. Bear spray. A knife. Something that extends your reach, your presence, and your confidence. And just as important, knowing how to use it under stress.

Mountain lion encounters are rare, but if you do encounter one, your response matters.

Do not run. Running can trigger a chase response. Do not turn your back. Do not crouch, bend over, or make yourself smaller.

Stay facing the animal. Stand upright. Make yourself look larger by raising your arms, opening your jacket, or holding trekking poles overhead. Maintain awareness and eye contact without acting frantic. Speak firmly and confidently so the animal recognizes you as human.

If you have children with you, pick them up immediately. Do not let them run or move independently. Keep them high and close to your body so they do not appear as separate, small prey animals.

Back away slowly if the animal allows it. Give it space and a clear path to leave. Do not approach it, especially if it appears to be feeding or if you suspect cubs are nearby.

If the lion does not disengage or begins acting aggressively, escalate your response. Wave your arms. Make yourself larger. Throw rocks or sticks toward the animal to reinforce that you are not an easy target.

Bear spray is a very effective deterrent, but only if you can actually use it. Carry it on your hip, chest, or somewhere immediately accessible. Do not bury it in your pack. If you need it, you will not have time to dig for it. Know how to deploy it under stress and be prepared to use it.

If an attack occurs, fight back with everything you have. Use rocks, sticks, trekking poles, bear spray, your pack, or your hands. Aim for the face and eyes. People have survived mountain lion attacks by defending themselves aggressively.

Risk reduction starts before an encounter ever happens. Stay alert. Avoid headphones. Be mindful of blind corners. Keep kids close and under control. Keep dogs leashed. Small, fast moving animals can trigger a chase response.

Pay attention to fresh tracks, scat, or animal sign. Also pay attention to sound. Mountain lions make chirping or birdlike noises, low growls, and a high pitched scream that can sound human. Knowing what those sounds are and recognizing them early gives you more time to slow down, get alert, and make better decisions. These are not advanced skills. They are basic awareness habits.

This is not about fear. It is about awareness and preparation. Mountain lions are predators, not villains. Knowing how to respond increases your chances of walking away from a rare encounter.

We can’t live in a bubble. We can’t live in fear. But pretending risk doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away.

The outdoors isn’t dangerous because it’s evil. It’s dangerous because it’s indifferent.

So by all means, go outside. Explore. Hike. Adventure. Take your kids. Take your dogs. Be human.

Just don’t go unprepared.

Preparation isn’t paranoia. It’s respect.