Hikers Need Red Meat

Went for a hike today. Its going to snow later so it is reasonably chilly and overcast right now. The lady we hiked with described several encounters with mountain lions while hiking with her son at Foothill Park in Los Altos Hills, a place I've solo hiked in and never seen one. Of course, I'm male, a meat eater, and sweat visin through my pores like an alpha predator so mountain lions flee me, just like deer.

Most people killed by mountain lions have certain things in common.

1. They are alone.
2. They are wearing headphones.
3. They are physically small, usually a woman.
4. The lion pounces from behind.
5. They weren't paying attention .
6. They're vegetarians. Militant vegetarians.

Those critical factors will kill you. Vegetarians do not emit the scent compound visin, which is generated during the digestion of red meat in carnivores. All carnivores emit this smell, this chemical. If you insist on being a vegetarian you don't emit this smell so are marked as a herbivore, as prey. Get a different hobby that keeps you away from mountain lions. They're common in green spaces, even close to cities. I've only seen one twice, and both times they were exiting the area quickly and from a good distance off. I like eating meat. I stink of visin, just like other normal people.

The rule of thumb for dealing with predators is: if you see one and it's watching you and NOT running away, it is hunting and will try to eat you or someone else. Call Fish and Game and report the animal sighting. The life you save might be your own. Don't be so selfish as to think it is cute.

If you see one of these near your home, or on a public trail while hiking, call Fish and Game. If they tranq the animal and take it away, and it comes back, call them again. Keep calling till they kill it to stop the calls. Anything less than that requires you buy a firearm, learn to shoot it, and carry the thing around your home whenever you step out the door. That's a PITA, and a legal mess if you actually defend yourself.

Of course, eating a steak a couple days before a hike makes those hunting cougars run away, and makes the need for a firearm while hiking unnecessary. So always have a steak before the hike. Don't shower. Let them fear your stink. Let them run away. You won't be arrested for smelling like a meat eating predator. Vegetarianism is a selfish act, and denies your innate humanity. If you hate yourself so much you can't eat meat, perhaps you need therapy.