Gonna Carry a Bigger Piece

[unspellable]

It’s my custom to take our two male Scotties for a long walk every morning starting before sunrise and occasionally around sunset. On these expeditions I carry a 380 ACP, don’t expect to have to defend against anything bigger than an overly aggressive dog.

This ain’t mountain lion country. Notwithstanding which, a few days ago a mountain lion was sighted near a Fareway store in the adjoining town. More recently in our neighborhood a dog got in to a free for all with a mountain lion. (Presumably the same one.) The dog got swatted but not bitten, so I suspect the dog may have started the fun.

The lion would have had to cross an interstate to get from there to here.

If I must fend off big cats I’m going to switch to heavier artillery.

 

[jeepnik]

Cats aren't that hard to put down but yea, a .380 acp is a bit light.

 

[Obturation]

At bad breath distance a 380 will work but bigger is always better.

 

[SharpDog]

Just add a laser ...

or carry a ball of string to throw as a distraction ...



sorry, couldn't resist

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Mountain Lion? UDAP

 

[3Crows]

I doubt the big kitty is going to bother you. But a 9mm might be a better choice anyways (and me carrying a .380).

 

[.38 Special]

When I am worried about animals, I carry a gun I would be comfortable hunting them with.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Having watched mountain lions over the sights of my drawn sidearm on a few occasions, I would definitely say a full size duty gun is comforting.

 

[Old Dog]

We have a cougar (never caught) in our neighborhood that just killed a goat in a woman's backyard just down the road from us within the past few weeks. Not long ago, a cougar (never caught) killed a horse a few miles from us. Prior to that, a bear (never caught) attacked a man (bicycling in a local forest park a mile from my house with his two little yippy dogs illegally off-leash), he spent numerous days in the hospital after several hundred stitches.

I carry a SIG P-227 (10 +1) .45 ACP when walking my dogs these days.

 

[Ignition Override]

If you or the dogs can detect Any cat creeping up from where it Knows you Can Not See it, then even a firecracker might work.

You saw the recent video where a jogger was forced to walk backwards for hundreds of feet, so that the mountain lion which continued following him was unable to be in the young guy!s blind spot? —-He filmed it.——

Search YouTube.
The jogger had initially made the big mistake of standing by some Cubs of the cougar.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

We have a cougar (never caught) in our neighborhood that just killed a goat in a woman's backyard just down the road from us within the past few weeks. Not long ago, a cougar (never caught) killed a horse a few miles from us. Prior to that, a bear (never caught) attacked a man (bicycling in a local forest park a mile from my house with his two little yippy dogs illegally off-leash), he spent numerous days in the hospital after several hundred stitches.

I carry a SIG P-227 (10 +1) .45 ACP when walking my dogs these days.

Does he keep his little yippie dogs on a leash now ?

 

[Demi-human]

—-He filmed it.——

I believe the film was called, “What it’s like without a pistol...”
I thought the beginning was good but the end was a little trite, almost Schmaltzy.
Eberts gave it two up.

 

[unspellable]

Upped the ante this morning with a snubby loaded with 44 Special Gold Dots. Didn't see the cat.
I know cougars are partial to a blind side approach. The boys provide two extra pairs of eyes and ears.
Frequently see deer in the neighborhood, a cougar wouldn't have to starve.

 

[buck460XVR]

If a .380 is enough defense against a large aggressive dog(and it is), it's enough for a cougar. But one should use what makes them comfortable as long as they are proficient with it.

 

[mmb617]

As wild animal predators go mountain lions aren't that big. I can't imagine a well placed shot or two from a small caliber gun wouldn't get the job done. I also can't imagine a cat wouldn't break off the attack after being shot even if the caliber was small. A predator that gets wounded to the point that it can't hunt will starve to death and they instinctively know that. The key would be getting a hit regardless of caliber, and that might be tough as quick as those cats can move. If he got the drop on you and took you to the ground I think it would be too late for any gun to save you.

Now if we were talking about one of the larger species of bears that weigh a half ton, that's a different story. There a small caliber probably won't get enough penetration and bigger is definitely better.

When you have your two dogs with you I would think you are pretty much safe from a cat attack, as he'd never be able to sneak up on you.

 

[Palladan44]

If you can shoot the 380 fast, if youre good enough to get shots on target i doubt theyre would be an issue. Some OC spray also good idea, but not sure how effective that is on cats.
My preference would be a high capacity 9mm with light recoil impulse loads (not +p or 147gr.)

FWIW, Maybe put a protective jacket on your dogs that doubles as high visibility vest. Possibly if the Mt.Lion (we call them Cougars where im from) goes for one of your pups, the extra layer jacket might prevent some flesh wounding. (Based on one instance i was attacked by a dog, i was wearing insulated overalls and the dog shredded the overalls and never got to my skin) Obviously if a MT lion really wanted a kill, the jacket on the pup wouldnt do much. But it could.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I would carry a larger gun as well. Not necessarily for the heavier round, but for the addtional shootability. My little TCP is a decent gun, but it is not nearly as easy to shoot as some of my larger pieces with bigger grips and real sights.

I generally keep a mouse gun in my pocket at all times and add a larger pistol in a belt holster when feasible.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

 

[Palladan44]

Even that close of an encounter, i believe it would have still probably NOT attacked him, although i dont blame the man for his reaction. And him running away is NOT what youre supposed to do, it will further intice a possible attack, every time...He lives in the high bush, and has spray to fend off cats and GRIZZ but he doesnt have other knowlege necessary to cover his rear. One day, he will jog past mama grizz and cubs, and the only thing left will be his shredded tights and his phone with the last selfie he took of himself just before the attack.

 

[Ignition Override]

Palladan44:
that’s exactly what I tried to describe.

Demi-human:
Roger Ebert probably did not review it.

My link wouldn't work, but thanks for connecting it.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Don't walk pets in cougar country.
Don't wear a small backpack in cougar country.
Always stand up straight in cougar country.
Maintain awareness.
A gun is nice, too.

 

[Coyote3855]

Even that close of an encounter, i believe it would have still probably NOT attacked him, although i dont blame the man for his reaction. And him running away is NOT what youre supposed to do, it will further intice a possible attack, every time...He lives in the high bush, and has spray to fend off cats and GRIZZ but he doesnt have other knowlege necessary to cover his rear. One day, he will jog past mama grizz and cubs, and the only thing left will be his shredded tights and his phone with the last selfie he took of himself just before the attack.

Did you watch the video? He clearly did not "run away." He backed away, kept eye contact, made noise, doing most of the things recommended for an encounter with a cougar. There is no indication in the video or subsequent news coverage that he had spray or other less lethal options available for use.

General opinion, including mine, is that he did all the right things apparently from "knowledge necessary to cover his rear." Bottom line is he survived the incident without injury to himself or the cat. Hard to argue with the results.

He lives in Utah. An encounter with "mama grizz and cubs" is highly unlikely. And I can't determine if he was wearing "tights" or why that would matter.

Enable spell check.

 

[Palladan44]

People who cant put their phone down in a dangerous situation, i just dont understand.
CCW holders shooting at armed robbers... gun in right hand, phone still in left hand. Fatal car accidents where occupants on the phone with a party who cannot help them, still talking after the 1050. The moron being chased by this cat.
People need to put their phones down. They cause more injuries and deaths indirectly than we give credit.
-SENT FROM SMARTPHONE VIA. ANDROID

 

[Palladan44]

Did you watch the video? He clearly did not "run away." He backed away, kept eye contact, made noise, doing most of the things recommended for an encounter with a cougar. There is no indication in the video or subsequent news coverage that he had spray or other less lethal options available for use.

General opinion, including mine, is that he did all the right things apparently from "knowledge necessary to cover his rear." Bottom line is he survived the incident without injury to himself or the cat. Hard to argue with the results.

He lives in Utah. An encounter with "mama grizz and cubs" is highly unlikely. And I can't determine if he was wearing "tights" or why that would matter.

Enable spell check.

Were talking about 2 different videos...
Sorry you wasted all that time..

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Did you watch the video? He clearly did not "run away." He backed away, kept eye contact, made noise, doing most of the things recommended for an encounter with a cougar. There is no indication in the video or subsequent news coverage that he had spray or other less lethal options available for use.

Did you watch the video? He very clearly sprayed the Hell out of the cat. He even talks about using bear spray on the cat in the video.