<p>^ I can’t believe that. I own over a hundred and never had a problem with any of them. Like I said, my grandfather’s zippo from WWII (had it at Normandy, pretty cool souvenir) still works like a charm. I use it occasionally to light campfires at family gatherings. </p>
<p>Was it a real Zippo or a knock-off? </p>
<p>Ditto the elephant gun, but they are so impractical when on a hike, ya know? </p>
<p>Usually just yelling at it will scare it off if you come face 2 face with it. The last thing to do is start running. </p>
<p>The cougar you see usually won’t get you. It’s the one you don’t see that kills you - ambush predators. A handgun would be best, because they will go for the neck than jump on top of you, so you need to have something compact and accessible that won’t be knocked out of your hands upon first strike. I’d carry it at the small of my back (perhaps at ankle), so it would be easy to draw and fire if you are being mauled. Drop holster would be best, but not when hiking.</p>
<p>Pretty sweet video.</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Mountain Lion Attacking a Deer in Divide, Colorado 8/8/08](<a href=“Mountain Lion Attacking a Deer in Divide, Colorado 8/8/08 - YouTube”>Mountain Lion Attacking a Deer in Divide, Colorado 8/8/08 - YouTube)</p>