What's the law??

[CAMPMEAT]

I wouldn't worry about it one bit. If you're that far back in the woods, you can't wait for a witness or anything else. You come first, the cat 2nd. Tell the Game Warden if you want and tell him where it's at. Go home, drink a beer and relive the story and wait for the State to get ahold of you. Oh, maybe take a picture to help with your story.  

[Suncrest Sniper]

What's the likely hood of even being stalked if we have the dogs with? Our 8 yr old is a Rott/Lab mix and our baby is a 9 month old Akita/Lab mix. Both are excellent protectors and although they live with three cats they love to beat the snot out of them. Here's a picture of my girls on duty in the front yard.






SS

[CAMPMEAT]

Slim to none.

[Suncrest Sniper]

Slim to none.

That's what I thought. They do go with quite often but if it's to hot or a rough sharp rocky area they stay home.

SS

[Ridgeratt]

or quit hiking in rail canyon!!

[Suncrest Sniper]

or quit hiking in rail canyon!!

If your referring to the area by Scoop Mt. and Mc Millian Mt. (Tum Tum) we've been there several times. Always great hikes and not far from our place in Suncrest.

[Ridgeratt]

I was just guessing but it is also a wintering area and you will find cats in there! that is a travel corridor from the loon lake area and they follow the deer herds

[Suncrest Sniper]

I was just guessing but it is also a wintering area and you will find cats in there! that is a travel corridor from the loon lake area and they follow the deer herds

Interesting.

SS

[huntnnw]

Shhh..   

[Hangfire]

The chance of a attack by cat, coyote or bear are very rare. Makes interesting discussion but not much more. If you are truly being attacked, rushing at you growling while advancing on you,  etc. You haven't time to worry about what will happen defend you and yours. Leave it lay, call the sheriff or game warden. Be honest straight forward and I have never heard of a problem. You will get questioned about what happened. Being attacked is the first thing a person says who can't resist to shoot. A animal shot any where other than the front is going to raise suspicion. I would say one shot in the side better have been stalking your kid or animals. Never be afraid to be honest.

[billythekidrock]

The chance of a attack by cat, coyote or bear are very rare. Makes interesting discussion but not much more. If you are truly being attacked, rushing at you growling while advancing on you,  etc. You haven't time to worry about what will happen defend you and yours. Leave it lay, call the sheriff or game warden. Be honest straight forward and I have never heard of a problem. You will get questioned about what happened. Being attacked is the first thing a person says who can't resist to shoot. A animal shot any where other than the front is going to raise suspicion. I would say one shot in the side better have been stalking your kid or animals. Never be afraid to be honest.

 
I totally agree with this post.

And I will add that if this is a real concern (scared of cougars) for you, maybe you should hike elsewhere.

[Suncrest Sniper]

The chance of a attack by cat, coyote or bear are very rare. Makes interesting discussion but not much more. If you are truly being attacked, rushing at you growling while advancing on you,  etc. You haven't time to worry about what will happen defend you and yours. Leave it lay, call the sheriff or game warden. Be honest straight forward and I have never heard of a problem. You will get questioned about what happened. Being attacked is the first thing a person says who can't resist to shoot. A animal shot any where other than the front is going to raise suspicion. I would say one shot in the side better have been stalking your kid or animals. Never be afraid to be honest.

 
I totally agree with this post.

And I will add that if this is a real concern (scared of cougars) for you, maybe you should hike elsewhere.

I realize that the chances of it ever happening are slim to none, I just like to be ready for anything. As for being scared......that's not so my friend. If I was scared of them I wouldn't have ever moved out here in the first place and I would have never started hiking either. Give me a break man. This was never about being scared, just about the legalities of having to shoot one in the case of an attack. I've lived in rural areas all my life and the outdoors has always been just like another room for me, it's just a much better looking room out here in WA.

SS

[rasbo]

If something is after you,you wont be thinking about laws...do what ya gotta do ...worrying  about laws protecting yourself at home or in the woods could get ya hurt...judged by 12 or carried by 6 not a tuff choice..

[rock]

My grandpa is a Biologiest who works up in canada alot. He said he's has cats stalk him quite abit. they are just curious animal by nature. If they get closer than 75 yards though He said he usualyy gets his gun out.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Wasn't there a Hunt-Wa member that arrowed an Elk in Idaho and turned around to get the cat that had stalked him? A 2 fur day.

It can happen. But like others said, no law is going to stop me from defending myself or partner in the woods. Goes for a cat or bear if I'm huntin say.. Grouse. If a wild animal approaches a human without fear, then there's cause for alarm.

-Steve