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I live in the Tumalo winter deer
range in central Oregon, home to thousands of mule deer as well as
their primary predator the cougar. I've come across fresh cougar
tracks many times while hiking; I've been reading up on what is the
best way to respond if you come face to face with a cougar.
The instructions vary according to which animal you may come upon.
(always maintain eye contact with a cougar; never look a grizzly in
the eye/play dead for a bear, not for a cougar, etc)
While hiking one day I was thinking about this and trying to keep it
all straight in my mind in case I came upon a hungry animal. Would I
be able to respond correctly in the face of whoever was about to
pounce? I decided it would help me to remember what to do for each
one if I put it into my own words and inscribe it onto a painting,
The text in this painting is especially important as it could make
your next hike last longer. |
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