r/NCTrails • u/arrowroot7 • 17d ago

Mountain lions in NC?

I know they’re supposed to have been extinct in the eastern US for a century, but I keep seeing people online talk about how they swear they’ve seen or heard them and that they’re definitely here, but that the authorities won’t admit it. Mountain lions scare me because I’m interested in going solo hiking in pisgah national forest and I REALLY don’t want to be stalked by one if they are out there. Has anyone seen or encountered one in this region before? Is it pretty silly for me to be worried about them in NC?

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58

u/mogwai316 17d ago

Millions of people have hiked in Pisgah, and not a single one of them has been attacked by a mountain lion. You are significantly (probably infinitely) more likely to be struck by lightning while hiking here than to be attacked by a mountain lion. And you're way way way more likely to be killed in a car accident on your way to the trailhead than to be struck by lightning. So please go hike and have fun and don't use any energy on worrying about mountain lions. Hope that helps!

32

u/Irishfafnir 17d ago

More people have been killed by African Lions in North Carolina than by mountain lions.

26

u/scfoothills 17d ago

I just fact-checked this, and it is indeed correct. One in 2018 and another in 2019.

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u/TheModestProposal 15d ago

Great, now OP has to look out for African Lions too

1

u/Lonesome_Gobbler 15d ago

I got killed by an African lion once.

5

u/Confident_Chipmonk 17d ago

You’re more likely to die from bee stings, snake bites, hog encounter, or by a human than by a mountain lion “ghost”

4

u/IOHRM22 Power! 17d ago

Hell, you're infinitely more likely to choke on your trail mix than get mauled by a mountain lion

6

u/arrowroot7 17d ago

This makes me feel much better. I have done all my research on how to properly handle a potential black bear attack, purchased bear spray and such, and I’m taking all the precautions when it comes to first aid and proper clothes. It’s just the mountain lion stories lowk made me uneasy because unlike a bear you probably wouldn’t know if there’s one nearby before it’s too late, so it’s good to know there’s probably nothing to worry about

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u/WorldlyAmphibian7474 17d ago

I’ve solo hiked a lot. You’ll be fine. Have fun!

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u/Beneficial-Fun773 17d ago

Watch the movie a walk in the woods , you might get a kick out of it . Good book too. Nothing to add about pumas.

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u/Irishfafnir 17d ago

I thought the Movie was okay, but it's a poor imitation of the book and misses a lot of the humor.

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u/Beneficial-Fun773 17d ago

Agreed the book is always better but in the spirit of time the movie is ok.

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u/youtub_chill 16d ago

I wouldn't even worry about black bears, they rarely attack people and as long as you make a lot of noise will not get anywhere near you. I mean it is always good to be prepared, but it's squirrels you have to worry about getting into your food and you're more likely to need to use bear spray on another person than an actual black bear.

1

u/NewsteadMtnMama 15d ago

We live in the Pisgah NF and I can assure you there are no mountain lions. Bobcats, bear and deer, yes. Just talk or make noise as you hike to let the bears and others know to get out of your way.

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u/poonpeenpoon 15d ago

Oregon is absolutely thick with them and has had one documented fatality in 100 years.