[RC] riding with mountain lions in California - Carol Suggs
I am originally from East San Jose Foothills
and am very familiar with the Mt Hamilton Area and Grant Ranch. I
certainly don't doubt that Linda's client has seen and had trouble with mountain
lions in that area. Deer, wild pig and coyotes are abundant there.
The lots are in various sizes up there, most broken up from older large
ranches. It is hilly, shrubby and dense with trees most of the way up to
Mt Hamilton. The views are spectacular and most likely what draws folks to
live up there...but with the housing prices in the bay area who can afford to
live up there right now!
We have 515 acres in Mariposa (near
Yosemite) and have seen lions (among other wildlife) on several occassions
since we acquired the property in 1999. Our area is also rich with
deer (lions main diet), and I am sure that our calves are also tempting
for them, however we have not had one calf lost to a mountain lion (that we know
of). I think that the momma cows are a little more than most lions want to
deal with when taking down prey. Deer don't seem to ban together and fight
it out!
It is my understanding that Mountain Lions are protected and it is a crime to hunt them or kill them
in our state. Unless you can prove that the lion has been or made a direct
threat to you or your livestock it is pretty tough to get a trapper
out. I am pretty sure the lion has seen us more often than we have
seen him. They are actually very shy animals and will normally avoid
confrontation.
We need to remember that we people moved into their
area. We are the intruders here, not them. We need to take
precautions to deal with wildlife in a way that is safe for us and safe for the
wildlife. This is not to say that if we have a cougar problem on the ranch
that I am not going to call a trapper or if I see an animal attacking me or our
livestock that I am not going to shoot it.
Because we know we have cougar and an occassional
bear on our place, I always walk or ride with the dogs with me. But
if you can't do that, be mindful as to where you ride. Know your
horse. If your horse is on alert there is probably a good reason
why. Sometimes the lions and tigers and bears oh my are real!
