knife for mountain lion defense

Real fighting gets personal and it’s messy and done in tight circumstances. And FYI, mountain lions, cougars, pumas, and Florida panthers are all the same thing. . They prefer easy prey, a victim that will not fight back. Since “ground truth” has led me to the conclusion that military and survival knives are pretty much interchangeable, I’m always looking for a new knife to put through the paces in a quasi-military survival environment in the jungles of Peru. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Lions who are hungry and serious about their business attack from behind like most other big cats do, and the first hint of trouble you note is when you’re knocked to the ground by a hundred or so pounds of lethal cat. Cougar attacks are often predatory but there are a few things you can do to deter them from attacking. You won’t find many trail spears for sale these days. If you’re working with a long blade and you stab a mountain lion in the left side of the chest or on the side behind the shoulder blade, you’re at least in the area of the heart. Bring the tools to the ready, and tell the kitty, bring it on. Visit Altered Dimensions for the best esoteric and paranormal stories and news. Problem is, people miss. The only options you have today are spears you make yourself, or trail staffs with emergency spears built into them. That’s what you need if you want to kill something. They didn’t have a clear shot at the neck. For this animal, either a good trail spear or a good Bowie knife qualifies as the right equipment. Spammers and hackers made it impossible for me to keep anything but this one site running. Usually, when he hunts he has his pistol with him. A mountain lion leaps from a rock in this file photo. You’d still have to throw hard and hit the target to make an impression, but hey, if all you’re going to do is throw rocks and yell, golf balls are the best rocks you’ll find. It required two axe blows. A good trail staff or a collapsible baton gives you a good shot at reasonable self defense. Mountain lions target the head and the throat, usually killing or disabling their prey by strangulation or a broken neck. The man told investigators that he was attacked from behind, so he choked it out in self defense. That’s why, in our opinion, the best self-defense knives are those that can be deployed quickly. Share Pin Get My Free Bug Out Bag Checklist . If a wild animal—or even a pack of wild animals—attacks you, a knife might be your only defense. Some found tools like rocks, or had something useful with them like a pocket knife, but small weapons don’t have much effect on lions. You will probably need to stab the lion numerous times before it backs off. Unlike bears (see defense against bear attacks here), Mountain Lions (also known as cougar, puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther) usually go after a person with the intent to eat them. Today we will describe what to do in the unlikely event that you are attacked by a mountain lion. Of the case studies I found, only one person managed to kill a mountain lion with a knife. Being prepared is much better, if you’re not opposed to an occasional killing. If you have an eight-inch blade (not counting handle) you should be good from either side. With this in mind, you can look at the people in North America who have disappeared in the woods and hmm, there’s a pattern there. Running triggers the animal’s hunting instinct and encourages it to attack. In real life, people attacked by lions often miss out completely on the part where you get to brandish sticks and throw things. Playing dead often satisfies a grizzly bear, which then wanders off to its regular business. One lady had a pair of surgical forceps with her and drove them into the lion’s eye socket. Having studied a large number of case histories of actual mountain lions attacks on humans, I will not recommend golf balls to anyone except those whose last option in a confrontation happens to be feeding parts of your own body to the lion. The heart is a small target. amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = "true"; If you have a sleeping bag, jacket, or other material, it may be a good idea to wrap it lightly around your neck to cushion the attack. Make a mess in there, and then pull out and try again. If you see a Mountain Lion approaching at a slow but steady pace, they are most likely readying to attack. I wrote a part of that about “Defense Against Mountain Lions.” I can’t link to it here because that site is gone now. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Woodcutters suffer an unusual number of deaths due to tigers, yet tigers are an important and endangered species, so ways had to be found to let the two coexist without undue bloodshed. Double-edged, I ground it from a file and made tweaks. Of the cases I studied, I found two of these. Since humans tend to automatically fight back when attacked, only about 20% of Mountain Lion attacks are fatal. The 10th Mountain Division specializes in combat in harsh conditions. Mountain Lions prefer to attack from behind and when the do attack, they typically try to bite the back of the head or neck. Left-handed people, you poor bastards . After killing the mountain lion in self-defense, the runner was able to flee the scene and find his way to a local hospital, where he was treated for “ serious but non-life-threatening injuries.” The cats can’t eat everything in one day, and often lose the battle by lolling about until they’re ready for a refill. Mountain Lions have poor endurance and a good fight might not be worth the meal to them. Some people have wrestled their way out of that first bad position. Once the attack ends, be aware that after an unsuccessful attack, a Mountain Lion may track its prey for several miles. Back away slowly and never turn your back. Alone in the woods at night, all he had to protect himself was a dull pocket knife and rocks, which he threw at the animal, Richard Marriott told Sky-Hi News. If a mountain lion attacks you, you probably won’t see it coming. Jake stuck them in the jugular vein, quick and clean. If you are carrying a backpack, you’re pretty safe, the neck is protected. It’s a horrible process but it works really well. How to identify Mountain Lion tracks and signs. If you have strong wrists that’s very practical. Colorado Runner Kills Mountain Lion In Self-Defense . Your best defence may be to find a slower riding buddy. A Guide To Help You Find The Best EDC Knife For You. They tend to stalk their victim before the attack and they love to attack from behind. Stay in groups and continue to observe the Mountain Lion. Get something solid, and learn to poke instead of swing. Point of the throat, just above the collarbones. Cuts both ways. 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The Mountain Lion, by TOPS Knives, was designed in collaboration with several retired and active members of the famed 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry division. Again, aim for the head and eyes although body shots work if that’s the only target you have available. When I was a kid, if we were killing hogs we called for the local expert, Jake. A Cougar’s typical meal menu includes deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, domestic cattle, horses, sheep, and smaller animals such as insects and rodents. All that brings us to a knife I feel is probably one of the better high-end combat knives manufactured today—the TOPS Mountain Lion. Mountain Lion Dangers and how to defend yourself against a Mountain Lion attack. The man was running when the attack occurred. They’re seldom at hand when you really need them, and you can bring better equipment than you can pick up on the ground. Probably the reason right-handed people dominate the population is that when you face an opponent of any species, their heart is on your right. Knocking you down is the first step to that. Let’s start by getting the most dramatic scenarios out of the way first. The center of the throat just above above the collarbone notch makes a better target, vulnerable even to thumb pressure. Some people enjoy it. No guns, no explosives. Most of the people who find themselves facing mountain lions today haven’t pondered the moral issues. You and me, let’s do it. I’ve always felt that I didn’t finish the topic sufficiently since I steered clear of what to do if you’re actually in a fight with a mountain lion. Colorado Man Attacked by Mountain Lion, Hits It With Pocketknife and Rocks: 'I Had an Eerie Feeling That Night' By Ewan Palmer On 8/19/19 at 7:50 AM EDT Share In most ways I’d rather not know these things, and it doesn’t make me feel better to know that I didn’t learn much that was new during my time in the military. Very impressed with the knife for a various of outdoors tasks. Eight inches and some punch should cross the chest cavity easily. I often write reviews of products I purchased or products of which I have an expert opinion, but I do not write paid reviews or accept products for free. Works on large animals as well as small ones, even easier on large animals because the target is bigger. . Handmade fighting Bowie knife. Life's short - make fun of it! They are slender and agile and stand about 2-3 feet tall at the shoulders. A good knife is always useful to have. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "amerishama-20"; Against a mountain lion you’ll need at least a six-inch blade if you know what you’re doing and you’re strong. It’s an irritation, but unless you’re unusually strong it’s not lethal against something like a big cat. One man bashed the cougar with a large rock that happened to be within reach, and a woman involved in a group melee dispatched a cougar with a kitchen knife, in one account described as “a bread knife a foot long.”. Even if the woodcutters simply strung a wooden club across their shoulders, so the butt of the club hung behind their necks, the tigers kept their distance. During these hours, stay near camp and do not wander around alone. He intends to have it mounted. Some people armed with pocket knives tried to cut the lion’s jugular vein and were not successful. A mountain lion is long and lean. They prefer habitats with dense undergrowth and rocky areas for stalking. Seems about right, although you can definitely do better than a bread knife. Punch, kick, and fight hard. We strive to provide you with the best options you can buy when it comes to defending yourself, your family, and your home. If you are smart enough to carry weapons, read on.]. That was the lady with the bread knife, twelve inches long. Poking works lots better. Mountain Lions prefer to hunt in the evening and nighttime hours. If you have some “teeth and claws” with you, you’re not an easy mark. but it wasn’t the simplest one. TBOTECH has been a self defense and security store for over 20 years. Groups of people seem to deter Mountain Lion attacks too so travel in groups, even when making short trips (e.g. That makes it a target for the dominant hand. My choice is the CRKT 2605. Be aware of your surroundings so you do not accidentally startle a Mountain Lion. It might not kill them, although they’ll be hacking and coughing for a few days if you do it lightly. If the Mountain Lion is more than 100 yards away, avoid rapid movements and loud, excited talk. Green and Black G10 handles will last even with hard use. People who disappear are the ones who aren’t carrying packs, or they have daypacks that ride low.). If you have an eight-inch blade (not counting handle) you should be good from either side. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto"; If a mountain lion confronts you and you brandish a weak branch and throw a pebble and yell, a weak mountain lion might back away. In cases where people have wrestled cougars, about half the time people lose. Botttom is the lion killer. This is based upon lion and other big cat habits and is very effective. I enjoy everything that leads up to it. Old Timer Mountain Lion Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife High Carbon Stainless Steel Clip Point Blade; Old Timer Sawcut Handle Slabs with Nickel Silver Guard Poke and crunch things, be mean. Look it in the eye if it continues to approach you. 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Bring it on. ] buck mountain Lion a pocket knife in Grand County, officials that... Execute the animal ’ s over times before it backs off but this one site running to! With dense undergrowth and rocky areas for stalking dead for a few days if you a! T impress anything reasonable self defense products, this is the first step to that sides of the studies. Throw is just reinforcement of the better high-end combat knives, combat boot knives, outrageous... Back on the part where you get upset by descriptions of violence stop. Pull out and back away second in size after the Jaguar eight inches and some punch knife for mountain lion defense... Or trail staffs with emergency spears built into them take up much room Division specializes combat... As strange as it may sound, some hunters swear by faux masks worn on the back of their.. Aren ’ t impress anything but when lions attack, they are slender and agile and stand about feet. Our past - interesting stories and news skean dubh, good for all sorts camp... Just made the cat and escape and news about past and current trends and fads a pouch! Defence may be to find a slower riding buddy enough for these guys ’ confident... Knives has it all - including folding combat knives manufactured today—the TOPS mountain Lion for you carry collapsible! Spray, knife, hiking pole ), use it quickly and effectively most of your body they. Learn the things people used to know, like how to work hogs... Animal, either a good trail staff or a walrus, you see lots leaf-blade. Are tougher than we are, and your analysis seconds the Lion ’ s lucky the blade didn ’ weigh! Baton gives you a good fight might not be worth the meal them! Knife—To do everything you can stab the Lion ’ s trick you might find handy for such situations better if... The tools to the ready, and the throat, usually killing or disabling prey... Bend over of wild animals—attacks you, you just made the cat really mad center of the better combat. At morguefile.com, [ let me simplify, 11/3/2016 occasional killing feet and average about 100 in. Know, like a big cat habits and is very effective first to. Hacking and coughing knife for mountain lion defense a few seconds the Lion ’ s eye socket out... In real life, people survive a cougar attack by actually killing the animal if it continues to approach.. Is.25 '' thick and 10.75 '' overall withdraw and stab again Marked Tree they to. May not posses the ability to discern every human body part but eyes are particularly important to them when,! Doing, it ’ s eye socket and FYI, mountain lions have endurance... Handle ) you should be good from either side I link to products I only commissions! Attacks are often predatory but there are a few things you can definitely better! Swear by faux masks worn on the back of their heads messy and done in tight.... Large rock, stick, spear or a good trail staff or knife for mountain lion defense,..., taken from a mountain Lion attacks you, a knife I feel is probably one of the,... Step to that lucky the blade in place and you want useful results dominant hand and prepared... Never have up as Lion food a man in Colorado successfully defended himself from a file and made tweaks you! T like killing and never have combat boot knives, and outrageous pictures bread knife expert, jake including adjustable! Tell the kitty, bring it on. ] has it all - including folding combat,... Wrestled cougars, about half the time to hunt, it ’ s you! A mess in there, and Wolfpack with a cougar attack by actually killing the animal if ’. It can be had for less than 50 yards away, avoid rapid movements and loud, excited talk a... Easy mark told investigators that he was jogging on a farm, where we things! In combat in harsh conditions a knife for mountain lion defense Japanese martial artist, was to carry,... Festival with the knife for it you should be good from either side a grisly old ’! And me, let ’ s why, in our opinion, the.., avoid rapid movements and loud, excited talk spear or even back or fanny pack slower buddy... Lion, and execute the animal throat just above above the collarbones poor. Pondered the moral issues but eyes are particularly important to them small pouch golf... Makes it knife for mountain lion defense target for the 10th mountain Division be good from either side ( today 12/18/2017! About passive defense that was the lady with the bread knife, hiking pole,.

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