can't we all just get along?

**keys?** · 09-22-2009, 05:12

The good news is I've got my support system switched out on my clark (thanks to grizzes helpful video), and it works great, bad news is I had company early this morning. After hanging out a while (a nice cool night and lightening storm to boot), I decide to get up and call it a night, as I'm getting out of my hammock I flip on my light and there they are two glowing eyeballs staring right at me, and at that moment this thing starts to growl.

I live in the country and hang in an area surrounded by tall grass, which is nice yes, pretty to look at, but makes me feel like prey. It never took it's eyes off of me as I was backing away toward the house.

My dad and I were just talking last week about bobcats, and how a while back he'd seen one on our land. I don't know if this is true, but there's been two instances where I have been sitting outside and heard something in the process of getting destroyed, it's a horrible sound. I know we've all probably had these occurances, I just had to voice the fact that I got scared. I will have to overcome this eventually, because someday very soon, I won't be able to run to my house, and there will be larger even creepier things out there.

**pizza** · 09-22-2009, 05:18

There was a guy up in Hermantown, MN near Duluth that was attacked in his garage by a bobcat a week ago. They can be pretty vicious.

**keys?** · 09-22-2009, 05:24

Originally Posted by pizza

There was a guy up in Hermantown, MN near Duluth that was attacked in his garage by a bobcat a week ago. They can be pretty vicious.

Seriously? How bad was the attack? In his garage?!

**slowhike** · 09-22-2009, 05:48

I'll be interested to hear more details on the story pizza is referring to as well. Sounds like one got trapped or cornered inside his garage.
Bobcats are very illusive are rarely seen. Although you sure wouldn't want to corner one, I don't think they are known for ambushing people.
My first guess about your case Sara, would be canine (dog, coyote, wolf?).
Of course if rabies were part of the picture, that makes any animal act "unnatural". But an animal w/ rabies will only last so long before dieing & it sounds like from what you've herd before, you may have a predator (canine) living in your area.
I'd be very careful until you learn what it is.
At the very least, keep a strong light & possibly pepper spray (or handgun) w/ you.

This makes me think of what is most likely a localized problem. Not something you are likely to encounter on the trail. JMHO

**keys?** · 09-22-2009, 06:10

Originally Posted by slowhike

I'll be interested to hear more details on the story pizza is referring to as well. Sounds like one got trapped or cornered inside his garage.
Bobcats are very illusive are rarely seen. Although you sure wouldn't want to corner one, I don't think they are known for ambushing people.
My first guess about your case Sara, would be canine (dog, coyote, wolf?).
Of course if rabies were part of the picture, that makes any animal act "unnatural". But an animal w/ rabies will only last so long before dieing & it sounds like from what you've herd before, you may have a predator (canine) living in your area.
I'd be very careful until you learn what it is.
At the very least, keep a strong light & possibly pepper spray (or handgun) w/ you.

This makes me think of what is most likely a localized problem. Not something you are likely to encounter on the trail. JMHO

I don't know what it is slowhike, and I don't necessarily EVER want to come close enough to finding out. I did have my pocketknife on me and flipped out ready to rassle, although at the time didnt feel like much defense, better than nothing though I guess. I know we have coyotes, because i passed a dead one on the highway near our house just yesterday and I hear them all the time, but I wouldnt think them to be very chatty in a personal situation like that one. Who knows.

**Ramblinrev** · 09-22-2009, 06:27

It is a small point and mostly moot... but _I_ would refer to a cats guttural sounds as a "snarl" rather than a "growl". Which would lead me to the canine/coyote side of the animal kingdom. Cats I have watched tend to crouch down into the grass rather than stand up in it like a dog does. Just my musing.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 09-22-2009, 06:28

chased down some links on this. Here's one. Fox News ("we report the facts..."

) reports that the guy was hanging out with his ducks and geese in the garage, the bobcat came into the garage and went after the fowl, and the guy went after the bobcat.

“He pinned a few [ducks] in a corner, and that is when I went after the cat. ... we chased each other and he climbed on the walls and onto the overhead door. I don’t know if he bit me in the head or clawed me, but I was bleeding pretty good.”

After a 10-minute skirmish, Lucia said the cat and ducks scattered as they exited the garage’s service door.

you decide....

Grizz