Great experience handled superbly and told in a riveting story. Good for you!
FWIW in minor corroboration, I have had a lion growl at me twice, both times as I approached to pick up my remote call and decoy when I was quitting a calling stand. In each case I did not know that the cougar had approached. My guess is that it was expressing annoyance at having a man interrupt its stalk and take its prey (decoy) away from it. Despite my best efforts, I didn't see either cat in dusk and brush.
You did well!
