Cougar Country

[Bryt]

I'm going to become homeless in order to afford university. Taking tips from another homeless student I know who lives in another province, I'm buying a hammock and sleeping in a forest near the university. I will be taking my camp down in the morning so as to not be caught. I'm worried about cougars though as I live in BC (cougar country). Does anybody know if this is an extremely bad idea?

[guySmiley]

You should be much more worried about other humans and where you'll shower.

[Kallorne]

I would be shocked if you ever saw one. The bulk of the cats stay in the high country and away from large population centers.

[Bryt]

Well I'll be showering at my university gym. I work out and shower there everyday anyway :P. Won't the fact that I'll be there in the dark. I'm pretty small 5 foot 6, and alone and out there every night make me basically cougar prey? There have been cougars spotted in the area several times in the last 5 years.

[sturgeon]

Agree with posters above. Be more worried about other people trying to steal your stuff or beating you up and taking your money.

I realize it can be done, and I salute you if you have the cajones to pull it off, but aren't you supposed to enjoy your university years? Looks like there won't be much"Hey come back to my place!" action going on. You may find it lonely after the initial excitement wears off. You'll always be stressed about your hanging spot and your stuff still being there, and cougars, raccoons, etc. And while I know Victoria is about the warmest place in Canada, I'm sure it must get some crappy slushy weather at least.

Sure you can't get a student loan from the province?

[mbiraman]

Well I'll be showering at my university gym. I work out and shower there everyday anyway :P. Won't the fact that I'll be there in the dark. I'm pretty small 5 foot 6, and alone and out there every night make me basically cougar prey? There have been cougars spotted in the area several times in the last 5 years.

Your not really on their food list although there have been exceptions. Your height is not an issue. You'll probably never see one and have more issues with raccoons where you are. To feel comfortable tho you might want to have a good size pole in camp,2"x 6', a light that has a high output setting and bear spray. The spray won't work for cougars as well as bears but still a strong irritant. I'd be more concerned about all the rain.

Good luck
bill

[Jcavenagh]

I agree with mbiraman - A stout staff kept handy and bear spray should be all you would need. Cats, like other predators, are interested in easy food, not something big that fights back.

[bigfoot2]

Bryt,
I'd be VERY worried if I were you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshBT5Ua4uo

BF

[swankfly]

Bad idea...sorry, but everything about it is bad. Every university has on campus church associations, contact them and see if there is some sort of assistance. Talk to your college friends see if they will let you hang on their porch, backyard, anything. I am unsure about Canada but you certainly sound like a candidate for a pell grant. Go to the financial aid office, there are SO MANY private scholarships that go unfilled each semester.
While our days may be filled with classes, you have weekends you have to hang out somewhere. How much time can you spend in the library? Then think about holidays and breaks the university is closed. I live next to the university here so when they close for winter break you are looking at close to 20 days with no access to showers in the gym. There has to be another way, friends, family, ...hostels, YMCA, shelters...GOOD LUCK!

[Rolloff]

This seldom, if ever turns out well.

And if it does, like any serious stealth attempt, it's probably not advisable to post locations prior to doing so, in an online forum. There are some pretty resourceful/sick individuals out there.