Missoula mom recounts mountain lion crouched near daughter

[Tallpine]

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/missoula-mom-recounts-mountain-lion-crouched-near-daughter/article_4532520b-7a46-5f61-88d9-aae6db4a0987.html

a mountain lion came entirely too close to their campground, fixated upon Gerhard’s 4-year-old daughter Zoe, and refused to leave

I guess I don't have to say that I wouldn't be calling 9-1-1 in an incident like this ... 

[MicroBalrog]

“He was so professional and so reassuring,” Gerhard said, pointing out that Kolbe – who lives 15 minutes away – arrived within 20 minutes of getting the call, even before a 9-1-1 dispatcher called back.

Well, that's very helpful I am sure.

[MillCreek]

I, too, would be waving my arms to make myself look bigger, but one of those arms would be holding a .357 just in case.

[Tallpine]

I, too, would be waving my arms to make myself look bigger, but one of those arms would be holding a .357 just in case.

Front sight ... squeeze ......... 

Actually, this is a situation where a warning shot might be useful.

[gunsmith]

its one of the things I worry about out here, I saw a huge mountain lion once out here, it looked as big as any African cat.

[MillCreek]

Front sight ... squeeze ......... 

Actually, this is a situation where a warning shot might be useful.

That would be the first thing I would do.  It might look good for any subsequent Federal or State charges for killing a protected species.  At least you tried to scare it away first and then had no other options to save the life of yourself or others. 

[vaskidmark]

That would be the first thing I would do.  It might look good for any subsequent Federal or State charges for killing a protected species.  At least you tried to scare it away first and then had no other options to save the life of yourself or others. 

Unless I started out looking for a lion to turn into a rug, there is not going to be any "warning" shots if I decide that use of a firearm is necessary.  The rocks, sticks, and "language appropriate under the circumstances" that were hurled at the lion, before I decided that using a firearm was necessary, should be sufficient proof of trying to shoo it away.

stay safe.

[MillCreek]

Unless I started out looking for a lion to turn into a rug, there is not going to be any "warning" shots if I decide that use of a firearm is necessary.  The rocks, sticks, and "language appropriate under the circumstances" that were hurled at the lion, before I decided that using a firearm was necessary, should be sufficient proof of trying to shoo it away.

stay safe.

I can see the cross-examination now:

'Mr. Skidmark, what proof did you have that the mountain lion understood English and therefore ignored your commands to cease and desist its hostile approach?'.

[vaskidmark]

I can see the cross-examination now:

'Mr. Skidmark, what proof did you have that the mountain lion understood English and therefore ignored your commands to cease and desist its hostile approach?'.

"It should be obvious to anyone that the lion understood English at least as wel as my ex-wife, who holds two advanced college degrees although she was (and still is) as dumb as a board.  I spoke with clear pronounciation and enunciation, using common words suitable for casual conversation with a 4th-grader.  However, like my ex-wife would do, the lion ignored my words and refused to do as I said."

All of the men and a goodly percentage of any of the women on my jury would immediately understand and therefore vote to aquit me.

stay safe.