Jackson and mountain lions, how do you hike? (safe, deal)
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Honestly, I think you're overreacting about the cats. Common sense is essential anywhere, but particularly outdoors.
My personal preference is to take a small child with me that can't run as fast as I can... if little Billy does his job and puts up even a decent fight I can live to hike another day!
Oh my goodness! One more reason to be careful about the west. I have a problem with mosquitos, one of those with "sweet blood". Which regions in the west have the West Nile virus problem? Thanks.
West Nile has been detected virtually everywhere in the Rocky Mountain West. It is less common than in wetter areas, but is here nonetheless. This summer has seen fewer human cases in most Rocky Mountain areas, but the past few years have seen quite a few. Unlike the urbanized East, mosquito control is generally done only in town areas--that leaves mosquito populations pretty much natural and unchecked in areas away from towns, and that means most of the land area.
In the greener, moister mountain areas (the areas that attract the most summer tourists and hikers), mosquitoes are generally very common in summer--especially if the summer is a little wetter than normal.
There are also the other little critters, like ticks--that can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever; some incidents of bubonic plague (especially in those cute little prairie dog colonies); and deer mice that can carry Hantavirus. Do many people contract disease and/or die from these hazards? No. But these hazards are here, and are pretty much indigenous in wild animal populations in the region.
Oh my goodness! One more reason to be careful about the west. I have a problem with mosquitos, one of those with "sweet blood". Which regions in the west have the West Nile virus problem? Thanks.
Is this thread for real? Now she can't live around mesquitoes! In the midwest they have tornadoes and cows. In the south hurricanes and gators. Better not go outside!!
Forgot about the Wilson thing but other than that I haven't read in the paper about any other "people/lion incidents" - someone being injured by a mountain lion. Seems like there would be some livestock issues with mountain lions in the JH area?
It's ironic that millions go to YNP and the one thing they want to see is a griz. From or near their vehicles of course. Rarely do they ever see one. If there is a griz visable from the road your gonna witness a "animal jam" of epic proportions. :lol:
The biggest problem for livestock raisers in Teton County comes from wolves and grizzley bears. I see from your info that you're from Vermont? So, let me bring you up to date on bears and Yellowstone. Mostly the surprise would be if you did NOT see a bear in Yellowstone. They're very plentiful there - right along with the dratted wolves! For the original poster, mostly lions are pretty reclusive. But, if you are out hiking, keep track of what's behind you! If you, by chance, encounter one, try to make yourself look big - like holding open your coat and standing your ground. Easier said than done, I'm sure! You have more to be concerned about with Grizzleys and Black Bears. They're very common in many hiking areas. Generally, they don't like to encounter humans unless you're a hunter and have just shot an elk or deer. Then, look out! They'll come right in (Grizzleys) and take the kill and if you're in the way - well.....! With the protection from the Endangered Species Act, they've (the Grizzleys) lost all respect and fear of humans. They're not hunted nor even hazed in certain areas around Jackson. Now that they're being removed from the list, it'll take a while for everyone/thing to adjust back to a more normal balance of nature. It's correct that you aren't allowed at this time to carry a firearm in the National Parks. There is something of a movement to rescind that, but for now, I believe it stands. You also cannot take a dog into the parks unless they're on leashes. It's a little more lenient on National Forest land and there's just as much Forest land around Jackson. When I hike and want to feel relatively safe 'and' take my dogs, I hike up Cache Creek into the Bridger Teton National Forest. The most popular trailhead is at the extreme east end of Jackson. Anyone in town can direct you there. It's wonderful and fairly heavily used so mostly the large, scary types of wildlife have pulled back somewhat. Carry a cannister of bear spray if you want. You can buy it at most any of the outdoor stores in town. Go for it and have a wonderful time!
The biggest problem for livestock raisers in Teton County comes from wolves and grizzley bears. I see from your info that you're from Vermont? So, let me bring you up to date on bears and Yellowstone. Mostly the surprise would be if you did NOT see a bear in Yellowstone. They're very plentiful there - right along with the dratted wolves! For the original poster, mostly lions are pretty reclusive. But, if you are out hiking, keep track of what's behind you! If you, by chance, encounter one, try to make yourself look big - like holding open your coat and standing your ground. Easier said than done, I'm sure! You have more to be concerned about with Grizzleys and Black Bears. They're very common in many hiking areas. Generally, they don't like to encounter humans unless you're a hunter and have just shot an elk or deer. Then, look out! They'll come right in (Grizzleys) and take the kill and if you're in the way - well.....! With the protection from the Endangered Species Act, they've (the Grizzleys) lost all respect and fear of humans. They're not hunted nor even hazed in certain areas around Jackson. Now that they're being removed from the list, it'll take a while for everyone/thing to adjust back to a more normal balance of nature. It's correct that you aren't allowed at this time to carry a firearm in the National Parks. There is something of a movement to rescind that, but for now, I believe it stands. You also cannot take a dog into the parks unless they're on leashes. It's a little more lenient on National Forest land and there's just as much Forest land around Jackson. When I hike and want to feel relatively safe 'and' take my dogs, I hike up Cache Creek into the Bridger Teton National Forest. The most popular trailhead is at the extreme east end of Jackson. Anyone in town can direct you there. It's wonderful and fairly heavily used so mostly the large, scary types of wildlife have pulled back somewhat. Carry a cannister of bear spray if you want. You can buy it at most any of the outdoor stores in town. Go for it and have a wonderful time!
Thanks for the info but I still say very few people see a griz since most do not venture far from their cars and griz rarely come near the roads. Living 17 years near the south entrance of Jellystone I heard lots of complaints from disappointed visitors.
I never had a griz encounter in YNP but had two on separate trips to Glacier NP. I never felt the need to to carry either a gun or pepper spray hiking anywhere in griz country. As long as you make some noise as you hike they will leave the area without people even realizing that they were nearby. If you somehow end up between a griz and an animal they were feeding on. Then you might have a problem.
I also once accidently surprised a mother moose and calf(my bad) and she chased after me for 1/2 mile down Cascade Canyon in GTNP. She was pissed. They have no teeth but they sure can kick up a storm.
Cache Creek Canyon is awesome but as Jackson grew it got pretty crowded being so close to town. When you hiked up there did ya ever notice the remnants of an old abandoned mine? I think it was a silver mine but my memory is alittle clouded on that. That new tunnel nearby that they are building for a new developement seems pretty weird.
Last edited by MRVphotog; 10-21-2008 at 10:39 PM..
Thanks for the info but I still say very few people see a griz since most do not venture far from their cars and griz rarely come near the roads. Living 17 years near the south entrance of Jellystone I heard lots of complaints from disappointed visitors.
I never had a griz encounter in YNP but had two on separate trips to Glacier NP. I never felt the need to to carry either a gun or pepper spray hiking anywhere in griz country. As long as you make some noise as you hike they will leave the area without people even realizing that they were nearby. If you somehow end up between a griz and an animal they were feeding on. Then you might have a problem.
I also once accidently surprised a mother moose and calf(my bad) and she chased after me for 1/2 mile down Cascade Canyon in GTNP. She was pissed. They have no teeth but they sure can kick up a storm.
Cache Creek Canyon is awesome but as Jackson grew it got pretty crowded being so close to town. When you hiked up there did ya ever notice the remnants of an old abandoned mine? I think it was a silver mine but my memory is alittle clouded on that. That new tunnel nearby that they are building for a new developement seems pretty weird.
I do believe it was a silver mine...but that is also running off my memory - which is dodgy at the best of times
I believe I only have seen one grizz in YNP and it was at quite a distance. Now, here it is completely different...I've had a run in with two grizz since I've moved here...I've had more moose on my grounds and alongside the road than I have ever seen in Wyoming - and the size of the moose here make the Wyoming moose seem like Shetland ponies
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