Cougar across the street? From 9 to .45

I live in the same general area as you, and starting in the early 1990's we have had numerous lion problems on our property - two cats have been shot under predation permits. The significant rise in lion encounters corresponds to the high level of clear-cutting by Champion and Weyerhaeuser, yielding higher deer and elk populations and hence cats. We ride in the back-country a lot, and I take my 10mm S&W for those outings, or a shotgun with 00. One of the cats that attacked a dog with us looked to weigh at least 170lbs (as compared to a friend's mounted lion).

Cal
 
cat

A mountain lion is a fast cat. I think a you should shoot something that will allow fast follow up shots. In this instance, I think a 9mm would be fine. If you were HUNTING a cougar, then yes, take something bigger since fast backup shots may not be necessary. But, for protection, the 9mm will suffice. Also, chances are that the SOUND of the gun going off will be sufficient anyway.

Todd
 
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