ShootistPRS
New member
There was A bicycle rider attacked by a cougar in the Issaquah area a few years ago. The cat saw him speeding by and nailed him. Its natural for an animal to go after a fleeing target. Anyway, The guy defended himself with a pocket knife. He had to get the knife out of his pocket and stab blindly at the cat. The cat was found dead a few feet off the road. The man had some serious scratches but no life threatening wounds. This was a mature cougar with all its teeth and in prime condition. They really are not a threat to adult humans. Black bear are bigger but not as driven to go after a fast moving target. (you are not fast moving if you are running) They tend to respect size unless they are sick or hungry. I have had sows with cubs go around me to join up with her cubs and large males size me up before walking away. They really don't like to be around people MOST of the time. Bears that are brought up around some of the new "suburbs" are no longer afraid of people and have been known to become dominant in confrontations. I recommend being prepared but doubt you will run into trouble away from the burbs.