• Be aware of your surroundings and cougar activity in the area.

• Supervise young children when they’re outside; teach children what to do if they see a cougar or are attacked.

• Carry bear spray, a fixed-blade knife and a whistle or air horn.

• Never run from a cougar.

• Never turn your back on a cougar.

• While in cougar habitat, enjoy the outdoors with others when possible and stick together as a group.

• If you see a cougar, maintain direct eye contact and remove sunglasses.

• If the cougar is on a kill or with cubs put your hands in the air and speak firmly and loudly as you slowly back away, maintaining constant eye contact.

• If a cougar is seen, pick up small children and have short or vulnerable people stand behind others.

• If a cougar is seen and disappears, watch for it to circle around and follow.

• When leaving an area where a cougar has been seen, stick to open ground as much as possible. Do not run.

• If a cougar is watching, following or approaching, immediately act aggressively by throwing rocks, yelling, baring your teeth and growling. Make yourself appear larger by raising your arms above your head and holding your coat open or waving it overhead. Step up onto a rock or log if you can safely do so. Make loud, continuous noise by yelling or using a whistle or air horn.

• If a cougar charges, stand your ground, make noise and use whatever weapons you have.

• If attacked, fight back as hard as you can. Focus blows on the cougar’s eyes and face and never give up.

• Never leave an attack victim alone.

• Leash dogs when hiking, and pay attention to their actions. Be aware that they may attract predators.

• Keep pets and livestock in secure enclosures at night.

• Don’t feed deer or other wildlife that may attract predators.

• Clear underbrush 15 meters (50 feet) away from house and outbuildings. Install motion sensor lights around perimeter of house.

• Be extra cautious and alert when outside with your dog
after dark.