This past Saturday I have an area staked out in the Sierras, up about 8200 foot elevation. I'm hiding in some boulders watching an area of part clearing, part redwoods, and about 4:30pm or so I hear behind me some sounds of small rocks getting kicked around, then they fade away quickly. I turn slowly, hoping to see a deer, but see nothing. About half a minute or so later, I catch a strong scent, that I would describe as a little like manure, but musky as well. I don't ever recall smelling it before.
I recall hearing that the male lions tend to be pretty smelly critters, spraying urine and scent onto their hindquarters to mark territory. One friend I asked, who has more woods time than I do, thought it also may have been a bear. Both are found in that area. If it was a lion, no harm done, he cleared out as soon as he knew I was there. In any case, a .44 or .45 is indicated on the next trip!
