Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire whole story on lion attack from the family.

Article clearly states they went unarmed so as to not draw attention from the game wardens.

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Yeah I kept waiting to read about the armed part.

Well I apologize for my earlier insensitive remarks. They were both young, probably no experience in fighting for their lives. Seems odd not to carry a gun during an open season, we don't know if they were wearing orange.

They weren't hunting anything and were not aware of the advisability of being armed with something. A pistol, a belt knife, or even a shillelagh. This and an attitude of preparedness. Stuff can happen. GD

Thought that as well. Article said they weren’t armed because they did not want to draw attention of F&W? That is completely nonsensical. I do not go into the woods unarmed. Period.

I guarantee you a 90 cat can kick your ass, you'd have to be extremely lucky to beat one off much less kill it. In my late teens, I worked for a guy with two female lions and one three-legged male. He would sell the cubs, he said the cougar in the mercury/ford commercial was one he sold. Anyway, I wrestled and played around with those cubs till they were old enough to sell. A 30 lb cat's strength is really surprising.

stx….you ever had a house cat go postal on you? I had a female in heat get out of the house in a rainstorm and made the mistake of dragging her crazy self out from under a shrub barehanded. I was bloody from fingers to elbow in seconds. Those 30# kittens were just playing with you. Pretty sure a serious bobcatish sized 30 pounder could kill many here if dedicated to that end. So much for those making left handed remarks about the 18 year old with holes in his face, neck and abdomen for not being able to save his brother from a 90 pounder.

Just don't understand why they had no gun.....very tough deal none the less

I hike very often in local deer/elk winter range with my wife

Carry a Hellcat with 16 rd mag always

Have learned to always be aware and watch your back

Lions are quick & built to kill

Here's an incident in northern Utah 3 yrs ago on video

Don't remember if he had a weapon

It makes sense to some, as if you are obviously not a "Junior" turkey hunter, and are out in the woods with a firearm showing, F&W Wardens will come check you out to find out what you're doing out there. Too many of our wardens have a guilty until proven innocent attitude when it comes to stuff like that.

As I mentioned, there's an easy work around in our State. Have a license and tell them you're hunting jackrabbits and coyotes. Year round.

Believe me, it's not just here. Go near a salmon or steelhead river, especially in a vehicle with out of state plates, and expect to be questioned about what you were fishing for.

I know one thing for sure Roger.

I'm not willingly fighting a 90 lb cat of any species!

No mountain lions around here, but I carry a handgun at all times. If I lived in a place where there was a threat fron a wild animal attack, I would not sit foot outside unless I was armed. This is a tragic case, and I feel for that family, but it could have been prevented with a little common sense.

Actually know a local guy (retired LEO now)

Shed hunting with wife/kids

Saw a lion following them through the brush

Ended up killing the cat...had to answer to the DWR then

Ended ok...now lions have much less protection than yrs ago

Now anyone with a small game tag can drop a cat...

Before it was a draw system like the rest of Utah tags

No tags limits or seasons on them, and can kill them year-round and are considered a varmint/ predator.

Mountain Lion attacks are extremely rare. Of all the possible dangers in the woods, it is way down there. I've never thought, "I better be prepared for a mountain lion attack." And yes, I do live in an area with a healthy mountain lion population and I have personally been within 15 feet of one in the woods (unarmed).

A while back (as in decades) the Colorado Parks and Wildlife folks tagged a female lion to see what she was eating. She was a relatively small cat, well under 100#, and they found that she specialized in preying on bull elk. They had no idea how she stalked or killed them but she seemed to enjoy eating them. I wouldn't want to take that cat on with bare knuckles. Before we got horses to hunt elk, we always had to backpack the meat out and I always had my Model 60 tucked way. Talked to the wardens a few times and never had any troubles and never got searched for concealed weapons. The kids should have had a weapon of some sort. A cheap .22 revolver is going to be a lot more effective than trying scare the cat off with a backpack or trying to go at him with your hands. Sad situation.

We should give you a trophy or a cookie for your bravery

Pics

local winter range

Deer & Elk a plenty

Cats are smart......stay above the draws/washes & have the advantage

Jump down high from above

I have been in touch with a family member, Wyatt is at UC Davis medical center, his face was pretty much crushed by the lions bite. Probably hard for him to even see very well to get help, and being in shock also . Im not sure why they were not armed, but I can state that the Ca,. Game wardens are a bunch of gestapo jerks. Have many personal stories of my own I could share . They are not there to help, but intimidate and harass people. Same goes for the enforcement end of USFS.!
This could be the reason they were not armed. Ive also been told the gun laws in Ca . have become more restricted since I left 4 yrs ago .
Anyway, hoping for a successful and speedy recovery for Wyatt , and may Talen RIP.

Thx for your post

Tough deal for all involved

Go Fund me set up ????

Sorry to hear about the young fellow's injuries.

I'll just add that it's not just in this State, most States I've lived in the wardens can be real pains in the ass. Those kids probably knew the local one(s) and decided it would be best to just not have a run in with them.

The gun laws do suck, but there are work arounds if you're walking around out in the woods. Just make sure you're loaded with the CA Approved ammo.