Q: What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion while hiking?
A: Stay calm and talk firmly to it. Try to demonstrate that you are not its typical prey. Back away slowly. Running will stimulate its prey instincts. Always face the lion and stand straight up. Do everything you can to appear larger. Open your jacket. If you are with children, pick them up so they are not tempted to run. If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones or branches or whatever you can get your hands on at the cat. Do not crouch to pick them up. Wave your arms and keep talking to it. Try to convince the lion that you are a danger to it. If the lion attacks, fight back. Lions have been successfully fought off by prey that fights back. Try to remain standing and keep fighting. If you are knocked down, get back up.
– Tyler Baskfield, public information specialist, Colorado Division of Wildlife
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