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[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!
 
Ride and be safe.
 
Carol-Mariposa