Utah wildlife officials share safety tips for hikers, joggers, and homeowners as cougar sightings increase

SALT LAKE CITY — As Utahns head outdoors to enjoy the summer hiking and trail running season, wildlife officials are reminding everyone to be aware of their surroundings — especially in cougar country.

Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, live throughout Utah, most often in foothill and canyon areas. While encounters with these elusive predators are rare, they can and do happen, and with Utah’s cougar population on the rise in recent years, the chances of crossing paths with one — whether on a mountain trail or in your backyard — are increasing.

“People are most likely to encounter cougars in areas frequented by mule deer, and at dawn and dusk, which is when cougars typically hunt,” said Darren DeBloois, Game Mammals Coordinator with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Cougars follow their primary prey — deer — across a wide range of terrain. While they are usually found in higher elevations, they are occasionally seen in valleys and neighborhoods, especially during the winter months when deer move to lower elevations in search of food.

These solitary predators are skilled hunters and will also feed on elk, pronghorn, smaller mammals, and even birds. After a kill, cougars often cache the carcass, covering it with leaves, soil, or snow to return and feed later. If you happen across such a site, officials say, it’s best to leave the area immediately.

How to stay safe in cougar country

Whether you’re hiking solo or with your dog, the DWR encourages Utahns to take simple steps to avoid conflicts with mountain lions:

• Don’t hike or jog alone.
• Avoid using headphones so you can stay alert to your surroundings.
• Travel in groups and keep children and pets close at all times.
• Make noise as you hike to alert wildlife of your presence.
• Steer clear of dead animals you might come across on the trail — they could be a cougar’s cached prey.
• If you live near deer habitat, don’t leave children outside unattended, particularly during dawn and dusk.
• Install outdoor and motion-sensitive lighting to discourage wildlife from coming too close to your home.
• Trim vegetation and remove woodpiles to eliminate hiding spots.
• Bring pets and livestock indoors at night, or house them in secure enclosures.

What to do if you see a cougar

Though rare, cougar encounters do occur. If you find yourself face-to-face with one, don’t panic — but don’t run either.

• Maintain eye contact.
• Pick up small children or pets, or keep them close to your side.
• Stand tall and never crouch or squat.
• Raise your arms or open a jacket to appear larger.
• Speak loudly and firmly.
• Slowly back away from the cougar and leave the area.

“If a cougar attacks, fight back with everything you have,” DeBloois said. “Protect your head and neck. If you are aggressive enough, the cougar will likely flee.”

According to DeBloois, cougars that bluff or lunge at people are usually not hunting — they’re defending territory, protecting a recent kill, or keeping their kittens safe.

When to report a sighting

With more people installing security cameras and more neighborhoods expanding into wildlife habitat, cougar sightings have increased in recent years. However, not all sightings need to be reported.

You should contact wildlife authorities if:

• A cougar has killed something in a neighborhood or yard.
• The animal exhibits aggressive behavior.
• It shows up multiple times on security cameras.

One-time sightings in foothill areas — or a cougar passing through on a camera — typically do not require a report, as the animal has usually moved on by the time wildlife officers can respond.

For more cougar safety tips and other wildlife information, visit Wild Aware Utah.