Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy

On Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:18:57 +0100, D wrote:

If I moved there I sure would need a .357 Magnum do defend myself if
those cats are loose! I'd better practice my quick draw!

I've had several encounters with cats without bloodshed. They have a
profile for prey and I don't fit it. Mountain bikers and joggers fit the
fleeing prey envelope rather well. Small children are vulnerable. The last
fatality in this state was in 1989, a 5 year old riding a tricycle.

Not to anthropomorphize but in my encounters we made eye contact and
eventually went our separate ways. My feeling was the cat was curious
about this thing standing its ground and concluded it was another apex
predator best left alone.

When there are too many around there's a hunting season. Most hunt them
with dogs. It's a balancing act. Reduce the cat population too much and
you wind up knee deep in elk.

I sometimes carry a .357 when I'm in known grizzly territory although it's
too light. The preferred weapon is a pump shotgun loaded with alternate
slug and buckshot rounds. afaik I've only encountered one grizzly and I
retreated with no problem. Many trailheads have signs describing
identifying grizzly versus black bears but many people assume a brown bear
is a grizzly but black bears come in a variety of shades.