Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by ices

However she could have shot over its head, the muzzle flash alone would scare it shitless.

It made three attempts within a 12-hour time period. Scaring it off would have only given it an opportunity to make attempt number four. Given how desperate the animal was for food, it would have in all likelihood returned.

Originally Posted by Anom Alley

Exactly my point. I think what really gets me here is the girl seemed overly proud of:

a) having a license to kill a cougar;
b) posing with it (the brother as well), and last but not least,
c) showing off that sweet, sweet rifle.

'Merica. Too trigger happy for its own good.

Yes, the same 'Merica that regulates hunting seasons to ensure the overall survival of various species of wild game.

Hunting is a survival skill, and such skills are among the most basic reasons as to why mankind has survived long enough to establish civilized societies. There's nothing wrong with or trigger-happy about a person taking pride in their ability to acquire food and defend themselves.

[Pyramid_Head]

That's amazing, what a smart kid.


Yea, the cougar title had me confused too.

[winvens]

I meant trigger happy in the general sense that Americans love their firearms and have the highest gun-related mortality rates than any other nation on Earth.

As a Canadian I just don't understand the need so many people have to carry loaded handguns on their person (or a loaded shotgun in the home) "just in case". There *are* viable alternatives to lethal weapons. And haven't people ever heard of gun safety?

[Shadedwill]

Originally Posted by Anom Alley

Before I begin my tirade, I'd like to say I'm probably one of the world's foremost "cat people".

It's very awful that a cougar was about to turn someone into a meal, but did it really need to die? Couldn't the girl have struck it with something instead? The cat could have been treated and relocated. The poor animal was just trying to survive!
Fish and wildlife should look at ways to increase proper prey for them. It's generally unnatural for mountain lions to consider humans a food source unless they're desperate, like this one was.

All that said, I'm very happy the humans are okay.

Would you like to hear a rebuttal from someone who worked for park services/DNR as a ranger?
No, she couldn't have. It would have been absurdly dangerous and the cat was displaying maneater characteristics. It would have been back or gone for another person, and they might not have seen it coming. They only need one strike to get you, there is no struggle and your neck is crushed before you hit the ground.

[invertigo]

This wouldn't happen if we all started leaving 1000 lbs piles of raw steak in the middle of the woods.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by invertigo

This wouldn't happen if we all started leaving 1000 lbs piles of raw steak in the middle of the woods.

Feel free to begin doing so. I'll be happy to help turn that 1000 pounds into 800 pounds.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

Originally Posted by Anom Alley

I meant trigger happy in the general sense that Americans love their firearms and have the highest gun-related mortality rates than any other nation on Earth.

As a Canadian I just don't understand the need so many people have to carry loaded handguns on their person (or a loaded shotgun in the home) "just in case". There *are* viable alternatives to lethal weapons. And haven't people ever heard of gun safety?

When dealing with an unarmed opponent, there are indeed a number of viable alternatives to lethal force; but self-defense against an armed opponent or burglar/home invader quickly render such alternatives non-viable.

And we don't necessarily "love" our firearms. Gun ownership in America runs the gamut from backwoods gun nuts to little old ladies living in questionable neighborhoods. The worldwide stereotype of the American gun owner is just that: a stereotype. There's nothing so magical or mystical about firearms that they change who a person is or the way they think about or approach life in the real world.

For many, that "just in case" is justification enough when the alternative involves losing your own life. Even though you live in Canada and may -- for the sake of argument -- live in a nice neighborhood in a country that's already known for its low overall crime rate, it would make sense to assume that you still lock the doors and windows to your home because you enjoy the added sense of security that you derive from doing so. Gun ownership is a lot like that, only it takes that sense of security a step further by applying it to a scenario in which those locked doors and windows are rendered insufficient.

As far as gun safety, the majority of hunters and their family members are pratically fanatics on the subject.

And as far as gun mortality rates, a number of sources cite the per capita rate of a number of other countries as being much higher than that of the U.S. You have to remember that the U.S. has a population of 350 million people, so the mortality rate for all forms of death in terms of absolute numbers will be higher than that of many smaller, less populated nations.

[ralucagymnast]

Originally Posted by pieandsauce

i was thinking of something totally different

Me too I was expecting a story about a female predator; but not this type haha

[rapeWhistle]

Originally Posted by Anom Alley

I meant trigger happy in the general sense that Americans love their firearms and have the highest gun-related mortality rates than any other nation on Earth.

As a Canadian I just don't understand the need so many people have to carry loaded handguns on their person (or a loaded shotgun in the home) "just in case". There *are* viable alternatives to lethal weapons. And haven't people ever heard of gun safety?

We get it, you don't like guns or hunting.

If we see a mountain lion stalking you and about to rip your throat out well just let nature take it's course.

See you in the death section

[DannyDrama]

Originally Posted by rapeWhistle

See you in the death section

See you there when your drunk ass doesn't empty the chamber.

I do love a good internet argument about gun rights.