I’ve always been a Morro Bay local at heart, but for a while, my writing and creative life led me to a cozy granny unit in Los Osos. It was my perfect escape: a small cottage tucked away at the far end of a property, with a deck that wrapped around three sides, facing the quiet hills. A trail led right from my deck down to a creek. It was exactly the peaceful spot I needed away from the hustle of home.
The catch? To get to my little sanctuary, I had to walk a long, unlit dirt path from the parking area. At first, the walk didn’t bother me. But one night, that all changed. I heard a whistle I’d never heard before, a strange, eerie sound in the dark. The next morning, I was sipping coffee on my deck when I saw them: paw prints. They were huge, one as big as my hand, and they looked exactly like the kind a mountain lion would leave.
I had to know for sure. I bought a trail camera with night vision and set it up on a tree by my deck. The next morning, the proof was there. A massive male mountain lion was on the prowl, walking right past my deck and down the trail. In the video, he even paused and looked back at the camera before disappearing into the darkness. I was completely intimidated.
I called the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and they came out to take a look. They confirmed my suspicions and gave me a crash course in mountain lion behavior that I’ll never forget.
My Mountain Lion 101
- Dawn and Dusk are Dinner Time: Mountain lions are most active at dawn and dusk. This is when they’re hunting, and it’s also when my trail was the darkest.
- They’re Stealthy Predators: These big cats are ambush predators. They hide, stalk their prey, and typically attack from behind, aiming for the neck.
- Don’t Run! The officials told me that if you ever encounter a mountain lion, you should never run. Running can trigger their hunting instinct. Instead, you need to make yourself look as big as possible, make a lot of noise, and maintain eye contact.
- Fight Back: While mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. The wildlife experts told me that if you are attacked, you must fight back. They said the only reason a mountain lion would attack a human is to eat them (unless it’s a female protecting cubs). By fighting back, you show them you are not easy prey.
- Scat is a Signpost: They showed me mountain lion scat on the trail and explained that male lions use it to mark their territory, unlike females who often bury it. This meant my new “roommate” wasn’t just passing through—he considered this his home.
The final straw? They pointed out an area right under my deck where this big cat had been bedding down. That was it for me. Knowing I was so close to his territory, I became a little paranoid on that dark walk to my car. I started carrying a flashlight with a stunner and bear spray, with my finger on the trigger. I even wore two headlamps—one facing forward, one backward. I’m sure I looked ridiculous, but I was not about to come face-to-face with that big guy without a plan.
I loved my quiet cottage, but the peace was gone. Knowing what I did, I could no longer relax. I stayed for about six more months, but eventually, I found a new place to rent, far from any mountain lion hunting grounds.
Have you ever had a similar experience with a wild animal? What’s your “most intimidating wildlife encounter” story?
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