These cougar accounts were submitted by Beth Redman. Cougars are to me one of the great mysteries of the wilderness. Stealth, reclusive, and curious. Read on:
I am not so young anymore, but then I am not so old yet, either. But I have observed or had an encounter with a cougar four times in my life so far. Most people have not even seen one in the wild their entire lifetimes. Many would consider themselves lucky not to have, but I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed such profound wildness and beauty.
In the early 1990’s camped near Pearrygin Lake I woke up early and went fishing. As I was waiting for a bite I see across the shore movement, so I watched and saw the cougar traversing a trail high on the hill above. I felt safe since it was across the lake and watched until the magnificent mountain lion disappeared out of view.
Spring of 2003, my friend and I were horseback riding near Duval, WA. The guides cautioned us that a cougar had been sighted in the area and proceeded to pack a pistol. My friend and I looked at each other with some concern and wariness. Sure enough along the trail ride I hear a loud landing sound of a large animal dropping from the tree above me on my horse. I hear rustling as the large creature, presuming to be the cougar the men were referring to, rushes away from our group. That time I did not actually see it but felt the presence of the great wild one escaping into the forest thankfully, with no shots made.
Fall of 2012 our family was hiking on the Metolious River, Oregon when my daughter, 6 years old then, says, “Mom, what is that large animal?” I turn to look and see just on the side of the trail a cougar waiting in the brush! Grabbing my daughter, I scream in alarm and stomp my feet loudly as the cougar in a split second runs up the hill. My son, who was 8 at the time saw the cougar scramble up the hill, their father does not see any of this as he was ahead of us on the trail. Some anglers who were fly fishing did see the cougar and thought it just wanted a drink from the river. They did not feel threatened and hoped no one would report it, which we did not.
June 15, 2021: I hiked the estuary loop trail near Pacific City, Oregon and visited the beach. I had the entire beach to myself! On the hike out, just as I was crossing the dike, I looked toward the estuary and spotted something in the field near the water. I thought, “This is probably a nothing” but thought I would check it out with my binoculars. Just before I could focus, I saw it move! OMG, It is a cougar! My thoughts were “I am so glad I am this far from it, but, yes, this most definitely is a cougar!” It turned, seeing me, and promptly exited to the forest. What is scary is one hour prior I had hiked remarkably close to where the cougar now was. Upon exiting I read a sign warning about possible cougar or bear encounters in the park. The sign also read, avoid hiking alone.